Rock Beat on the Road with Elke Robitaille  By Annette Warner 

There are a few musicians I can name that turn me on with good attitudes, hard and honest work ethics, and organic efforts at maintaining their independent careers. Elke Robitaille does those things for herself...and in turn sets a great example for others. I appreciated the time she spent with me during this interview, especially with her hectic touring schedule and limited computer access. Her music is without mercy in a music lover’s ears and you just need to go hear for yourself. She’ll be appearing at the Juggling Gypsy on July 7th and I’ll be front row cushion, hookah in hand.  You should plan to experience the pleasure with me. 

You have a really wide range of musical style. Where are you most comfortable style-wise?

I am influenced by many different artists and various styles of music. My most comfortable styles for writing/playing are acoustic and folk rock. I like to play music that tells a story that listeners can relate to and I love acoustic guitar.

Self-management as an artist is very challenging with all that needs to be done. How do you juggle these responsibilities efficiently?

It’s true... there is a lot to juggle when you have the career of a DIY musician. There is so much to be done . . . from booking shows, getting press, maintaining websites, and that is just the business end of things. That doesn’t even include the creative side like writing. Basically, I just like to stay organized by writing everything down. I create “To Do Lists” and “Short/Long Term Goals” as well. I find that when things are written down, it’s easier to see the big picture and get items accomplished off the list. It can be as simple as writing things in a notebook, or in Excel.

How do you feel about today’s independent music arena?

I personally think it’s great. There are so many things like MySpace, iTunes, CD Baby, GoGirls, and all the other countless websites and organizations that focus on helping independent artists. If you are willing to put in the time and energy to focus on furthering your career... there are many resources out there that can help. I’m not sure how independent artists did things 10-15 years ago without the help of the Internet (unless they were on a major label). I think this is a great time for DIY musicians.

How do you feel about playing music for free? Do you think tip gigs are as crucial to your career as well-paid ones?

We are on the road for four months this summer and I’d have to say that 90% of our shows are all “Tip Jar” or “Pass the Hat” style gigs. So far, they have been working out great. Of course, it is very nice to play shows that have a “Guarantee” but not all venues can afford to pay their musicians... especially if they are a coffee shop venue. I have found the audiences on this tour to be very supportive and encouraging. We usually sell a lot of merchandise (we have T-shirts and two albums available, and we accept credit cards) and when we mention that we are on a cross-country tour, people tend to be generous with the tip jar. We couldn’t do it without the amazing support. Also, even when the venues can’t afford to pay us, they are always very kind with helping us in other ways, like free meals and refreshments and sometimes a place to stay for the night.

How do you attempt to stay healthy and energetic on tour?

That is such a great question. And it’s somewhat funny to me right now because I’m just getting over the 24-hour flu. Staying healthy on the road is so important for a traveling musician. It can be hard when you are on the go all the time and diet and exercise can be tough to balance. Basically, there are a few things I never leave without: multi-vitamins, Airborne, Emergen-C and lots of water. These are great items to boost your body with the vitamins and minerals that are easy to lack on the road. Also, it’s a great idea to try and skip fast food. I know this can be hard for a lot of musicians because it is fast and easy. They are everywhere, and it’s in a traveling musician’s budget. But trust me... it’s no good. It will just make you feel gross and bogged down. I like to pick up groceries along the way. We have a cooler and a small propane camping stove. This makes things cheaper and healthier, too. It’s great to pick up fresh fruit like apples, oranges, and bananas at the grocery store. And then, of course, there is the exercise part. After driving in the van for four to eight hours, your body can feel stiff and tired. I like to go for long walks (which are great because there is so much to explore in a new town or city) and I have a yoga mat for doing daily stretches. And of course, try to stay rested and get a full night of sleep.

What makes a gig successful to you?

I think a successful gig to me is performing my best musically, reaching out to new people in the audience, gaining new fans for my mailing list and MySpace, making a good relationship with the venue, and of course selling some merchandise and making some tips. (If we can get a full tank of gas from playing a show... then we are set on the road!)

How about some advice on how to make an appearance in a new town worth the traveling it took to get there?

Promotion! Getting the word out! Of course, the best way to have a worthwhile show is to have people there listening. A show is never very fun without an audience to share with. I always use online tools like MySpace, bulletins, and mailing lists, etc. But if it’s my first time in a new town... I probably won’t have anyone on myspace or my mailing list from that area. I like to reach out to local media as much as possible. It’s great to get an article or interview posted in a paper. Posters and flyers are always great... especially if they are done well and can catch people’s attention. Finally, it’s great to do a co-bill or open for a local artist that has a similar style and will bring their fans.