Ok….so although I am not technically a backpacker, I am very much a constant traveller with a very nomadic lifestyle. Most touring independent musicians can definitely vouch for me when I say we have learnt a few things along the way about how to make the most of time and (just as important) money.
Top Tips
- Have a plan: I think you need to have a plan (most of the time). Especially if you are only visiting somewhere for a short time. I like to chat to locals straight away and find out the best places to go out or the most beautiful places to visit. Get a group of people together so you can organise the transport, if it’s necessary, for cheaper. Think about what you want to do most and prioritise.
- Free pleasure: If you don’t have much money enjoy the simple things, like sitting on the beach in Byron Bay, or walking around Darling Harbour in Sydney and just taking it all in. If you have a bit more money the possibilities are endless, but you might have to ask someone else about those possibilities since I am in the former group.
- Eat for only $10 per day: I’m a bit of a control freak so I like to play this little game that helps me keep my spending down to a minimum when it comes to the food…it’s called “don’t spend more than ten dollars on food a day“. Ladies, the great thing about this game is that you WILL lose weight haha. No but seriously, being conscious of how you spend your money makes you eat healthier! Instead of getting a pub meal for ten bucks, you could buy fruit for breakfast and sushi for lunch for that amount of money. Or muesli and a loaf of bread for the week. Organisation is key!! Dinner for me, like most musicians, comes from the venue I play at that night…so maybe try singing for your supper? haha.
Some of my favourite things about being a travelling musician are:
- Singing My Songs. This is the be all and end all in my world. What makes me happiest is singing the songs I have written and seeing people relate to them. I love being able to spread joy and happiness through the very powerful medium of song and lyrics.
- Meeting New People. I tour the country over and over, visiting so many places and seeing so many faces along the way. The kindness and generosity of both foreign travellers and other Aussies blows me away every time I visit a new place. People are so interesting! There is so much to learn just from having a conversation with someone else and learning about their life and experiences and culture.
- The Free Meals. Of course this is one of my favourites!!! I generally get a meal from the venue i am playing at so I try to make that my BIGGEST meal of the day so I can save on spending dollars. I try to cram in as much as possible so it’ll last hahahaha.
- Inspiration. Basically, I get paid to sing my songs and visit some of the most beautiful places not only in my country, but in the world. No matter how tiring travelling gets, or how many airports i see, or how many downpours I have to carry my luggage through, nothing beats the fact that I am doing what I love. That simple fact inspires me everyday.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my little story and maybe I’ll see you at a gig one day soon. I’ll be the girl on stage with a big grin on her face singing her heart out.
Love Coby xxxx
Note from Backpacker Tactics
Coby Grant is a delightful singer I met at the Mullum festival in Mullumbimby, Australia. A friend recommended we go and see her and the three of us were blown away by her natural beauty, talent and heart-felt emotion she shared through her songs. Her albums are awesome and you can also see her on Youtube.com – just type in “Coby Grant”. She can also be found at www.cobygrant.com and I massively recommend getting along to see her live around Australia, or if not, buying one of her albums.
