Local bands don’t typically have the resources to tour internationally. But Same Sex Mary figured out a low-barrier way to tour Japan in November -- mainly by building and using a vast network of musicians.
Besides being a reliable presence at various local band gigs, Same Sex Mary bandleaders Tsvetelina Stefanova and James Howard Adams also co-own Bad Moon Booking.
“We have been booking a lot of bands from Tokyo here in Las Vegas for the last few years, mostly Loolowningen and the Far East Idiots,” says Adams. “And [frontman Shigeru
Akakura] has always been very adamant that we should come to Japan and play, that we would be well-received. And he and along with other bands from Tokyo that we've booked have all said the same thing: come to Japan, come to Japan.”
“They've always said they'd return the favor, and so we decided to take them up on that,”
adds Stefanova.
Akakura booked nine shows for Same Sex Mary. Stefanova then crafted a budget and directed all of its gig payments and merchandise sales to plane fare, fully covering all its pre-arrival costs. Once in Japan, the band -- carrying minimal band equipment since drum kits and guitar amplifiers are supplied by the venues, and aided by friends traveling with them — relied on the Shinkansen bullet trains to get from city to city.
As for the gigs, SSM played mostly small, 50-to-100-capacity venues called live houses,
supported by Japanese bands and cheered on by what Adams called attentive and respectful crowds. As Akakura promised, “We were very well-received,” he says.
Stefanova’s advice for bands wanting to cross an ocean or even a border to expand their fan base?
“Just do it,” she says. “Go to the shows. Be the type of audience member that you want to have, and make those connections with the people, and it'll pay off. You know, it's a lot of work, but that's how it's done."
Guests: Tsvetelina Stefanova and James Howard Adams, Same Sex Mary
