What's in Jimi Zimmardi's Gig Bag?
Jimi Zimmardi gives you a list of essentials and luxury items you really want with you when you're on the road or at a gig in your gig bag.
The Vocalist Survival Kit (click to read)
THE VOCALIST’S SURVIVIAL KIT
What does a vocalist need at a gig and on the road?
By Jimi Zimmardi
One of the attributes that a singer/performer needs is organization. As a front-man of a band or solo artist, you really need to be ready and prepared for anything. On moments notice, you never can tell when a last minute gig will fall into your lap. You also never know when you might have to hop on a plane or tour bus on short notice. For this reason, it is essential that you have everything you need packed and ready to go.
Whether it’s a local gig or you’re traveling, you should have EVERYTHING you need with you to give you all of the comforts of home with you when you’re traveling. In my dresser drawer, I have a Passport wallet and a packing list of everything I need to pack from stage outfits, casual clothing right down to socks and underwear. I also have a list of what is to go in each suitcase as you will need to use two suitcases when traveling. When you get a last minute gig, having a list of EVERYTHING you want will leave you less stressed the night you have to pack.
I have a number of bags that I usually take with me for a wide variety of situations. Here they are:
1) PERSONAL VERSATILE - A Personal Versatile Bag (AIRLINE CARRYON) – This bag is versatile enough to carry on a plane and will carry anything essential that you need handy right away. If you are worried about the airlines losing your luggage, use this bag to put anything you want with you. A change of underwear, socks and bathing suit can also be put here as well in case the airline loses your luggage or it winds up in another city in error. You really need to pack essentials like daily medications you must take, Day-Timer Calendar Book, Passport, Identifications, wallet and credit cards, cell phone, IPOD, satellite radios, portable radio, FM Transmitter to transmit streamed signals on your computer to any radio, digital recorder device, cameras, extension cord, paper, pens, sharpie pens and sunglasses with you in this case. Airlines will allow you to take TWO carry-on bags with you and this bag needs to be one of them. Any work related things you have can also be taken in this case. This could be songs you’re working on, music business projects, etc.
2) LAPTOP (AIRLINE CARRYON) – Be sure to have a good Laptop with a battery that will give you many hours of service. Wireless Internet service is also great to have to get you High Speed Internet service as well as checking Emails in case someone is trying to contact you or Instant Message you.
3) Toiletry Personal Bag – This bag should be packed in your suitcase because of the liquids you can’t carry on planes. Shampoos, Hair Product, Facial Cleanser, toothbrush and paste, mouthwash, deodorant, plastic bag for dirty clothes, small container of Woolite, clothes steamer, hair dryer, portable steamer for your voice, alarm clock, batteries, tissues, breath mints, magazines, Power Bars and Clif Bars can be put in this bag inside your suitcase. Always have Power Bars, Protein Bars and Clif bars in this case and be sure to leave a few in your carry on bag as well in case you have one of those nightmares where you get stuck on the tarmac for hours and there’s no food on the plane.
4) 2 Suitcases – Separate your clothes in two bags: One suitcase for Stage Clothes and one for everyday clothing. If you want your own pillow with you, this is where you should pack it. Hotel pillows are inconsistent. If you love your own pillow and you can fit it in your case, this is where to pack it. Many people don’t sleep well if they’re accustomed to their pillow and it’s not there. If you can fit your own pillow in your suitcase, take it with you. The other issue is to split up the weight of the two bags evenly. Many airlines will charge
a fee if your bag goes over the average weight of 70 pounds.
The best scenario is to be prepared. While it’s impossible to keep suitcases packed and ready in your home, if you have a list ready of EVERYTHING you need to pack, it will definitely be less stressful for you. The next time you pack for a trip, take a sharpie and some paper and make a list of everything you put in each case. You will be quite surprised how fast you will pack the next time when everything you need is listed there for you. I can pack everything I need in as little as 45 minutes.
One important reminder is that if you’re touring on a tour bus, be sure to pack EVERYTHING you want in your carryon bags. If you put stuff that you need in your suitcase that should be in your carryon, it’s going to wind up in the storage wells of the Tour Bus and you won’t have easy access to it.
The other important consideration is that if you’re on a plane, while you might want to take a lot with you in your carryon bag, a lot of stuff in your carryon will be heavy to carry. So use common sense if you don’t want to be carrying a very heavy carryon bag.
If you’re carrying instruments on the plane like guitars, be sure to check with the airline so they can handle them with care as well. Call your airline if you need to take instruments with you prior to traveling. All airlines have their own policies on taking instruments on board a jet.
Now that you’re packed and ready to go, as a singer you should take the following items with you that are essential for performing.
If you’re touring, get a road-case for these items that’s durable. If there are any fragile items, be sure to pad the case well so nothing breaks in transit.
Items in the road-case should include your own personal microphone, your vocal effects unit such as TC Helicon Voice Live, Microphone cables, Personal Monitor unit such as TC Helicon VSM monitors to effectively hear yourself on stage, Vocal Acoustic Monitor manufactured by VAM acoustics, throat sprays, Honees Throat Drops, Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges, Bottled Honey wrapped in plastic, Advil, Sudafed, Mucinex tablets (to be used to increase the secretions on the vocal folds when you take an antihistamine or decongestants) and an Antibacterial Hot Steam Vaporizer.
These are the recommended items singers need. Keep in mind that it’s important to pamper your voice when you’re touring. This starts with hydration. The air on tour-busses and airplanes will get dry especially during the winter months when they crank the heat. Drink lots of water and make sure any medications you’re on are taken early in the day. You can also experiment with different waters. Evian Water and Volvic Water are European spring waters that have a softer texture to them that many of my students like. Some of my students are fine with domestic waters like Poland Spring. But any water is necessary to stay hydrated. You should watch your caffeine and alcohol intake because caffeine and alcohol will dry out the vocal folds. You also need to watch your diet and eat well. Eat healthy when you’re touring. When you eat healthy, you will feel better.
Of course, it goes without saying that sleep and good rest are necessary to keep your voice feeling great. The night before you hit the road, be sure to go to bed early, especially if you need to get up early or have an early flight if you’re flying. Be sure to continue to rest while you’re touring and pamper your voice accordingly.
Finally, you need to have everything that you need on stage when you’re performing. This includes lots of water, herbal tea (decaffeinated) with honey and whatever you need. You also need to make sure that you coordinate your setup with the road crew and make sure that everything is set to your specifications. This includes microphone and monitoring setup, levels at sound-check and set-list for the show.
The main thing is to make yourself feel at home wherever you are. As an example, I know that I can’t survive without my Laptop, IPOD, Sirius and XM Satellite Radios during down time so I bring them with me. The other main issue is to be prepared and have EVERYTHING you want and need with you. Make a good list, bring all of the comforts of home with you and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how awesome you’ll feel even when you’re thousands of miles from home.