Photo by Holy Ghost

I recently saw this picture that was taken by the buzzband Holy Ghost! The picture was tweeted with the caption "Airport security vs. Our touring modular synth, an epic and ongoing battle."

As yall probably know, being in a buzzband gives you the opportunity to experience many glorified alt perks. Neverending VIP, unlimited tugjobs from entry-level skanks who think that swallowing ur jizz will make them 'more alt', ppl telling u how ur album is amazing and ur the greatest thing since tapas style dining, and the opportunity to travel around the world experiencing these perks. However, being in a buzzband can often present logistical challenges, particularly for low-to-mid-tier buzzbands who haven't achieved Arcade Fire mainstream status so they can just hire a 'crew' 2 'deal with the bullshit.'

Sometimes it feels like we forget abt some of the shittiest parts of life for a member of a buzzband.

Most of our favourite buzzbands are responsible for many of the logistical responsibilities associated with traveling between gigs. Their lives' are a series of car rides, domestic flights, and international flights. They don't just bring a carry-on. They have tons of 'shit that makes noises' to lug around with them in order to make buzz dollars.

I often wonder what it is like to travel as a buzzband. Do ppl 'recognize u'? The majority of buzzbands 'look like bands', but then there is probably a series of fat business travelers asking, "Are you guys in a band?"

"Oh cool. What's ur name?"

"Never heard of yall."

"What do u sound like?"

"Have u ever heard [mainstream crappy band]? U gotta check em out. They sound like the good stuff from the old days."

I sometimes worry abt the psychological toll that buzzband-related stress can do for the emotional state of a buzzband member. Life as a buzzband seems 'great' as perceived by a common alt a show, but is there anything that fun abt touring the Midwest/Europe/Asia for months at a time, little time to urself, stopping in most cities for less than 24 hours? You quit your stable job, which caused your parents to respect you less, all because you are pursuing a 'buzzworthy existence' where there are no guarantees.

Buzzbands just hope that one day it all pays off. All those moments standing in line at airport security with some random TFA agent testing your bleep bloop machines for chemical bomb-making residue. All those moments in a van with bandmembers you have grown to hate. All those days eating fastfood, arguing with your manager about logistical decisions, worrying that you will become that one band whose UHaul full of shit got stolen from a Red Roof Inn parking lot.

Being in a buzzband: Is it worth it?

*****
Does life in a buzzband seem 'amazing' or 'ultra shitty' 2 u?
Do u have any stories abt seeing buzzbands in regular contexts?
Do u feel bad for buzzbands who are scraping by in their seed stage?
What is ur perception of the quality of life for a buzzband member?

Holy Ghost!

Buzzband, DJ

Alex Frankel & Nick Millhiser are the popular buzzband Holy Ghost!

Lists: DFA, electro, New York City

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