Douglas McCombs (Tortoise, Brokeback, Eleventh Dream Day)
SPB: What, for you, defines a successful tour?
McCombs: A successful tour for me means that there is good playing being played and everyone is enjoying being on the tour. It sucks touring with a sourpuss who doesn't want to be there.
I play in a few different bands, some of which make great money and some of which don't make money, so I don't really judge success on a monetary basis. I wouldn't be able tour with the bands that don't make money, or even make a living, without the bands that do make money. There is a lot to be said for making money.
Another criteria for a successful tour is breakfast: at least four great breakfast restaurants per week. That pretty much puts the European Continent down for the count. They don't care about breakfast the same way Americans do. Maybe the Belgians. At least you can find good coffee most of the time.
