- R
- I
Two weeks ago, disaster struck.
Our trusty van, our home on wheels for hundreds of shows across Europe, finally broke down. We bought her in 2020 with our first (and only) record advance, and she’s carried us through snowstorms, heat waves, breakdowns (emotional and mechanical), and thousands of miles. The clutch gave out while Isak was driving to Tribe HQ, and the repair bill is a cool 4500€. Our (very expensive) insurance won’t pay a cent, because we just passed some arbitrary mileage threshold. It is what it is; the realities of late-stage capitalism.
In any case, we cannot afford to repair it ourselves. And without this van, we can’t tour. And without touring, Tribe Friday can't exist.
Why this matters right now:
We’ve just finished recording new music for release this fall. Months ago, we started the process of booking a 15-date tour to celebrate and to see you all again, so we could share the kind of nights that make this whole thing worth it. It was all supposed to be announced in a few weeks. Without the van, we’ll have to cancel.
The truth about being an independent band:
We love what we do. But it ain't easy:
- Streaming pays about €3,500 per million plays. Most of the time, about 30-50% of that will go to the band, with the rest going to labels, management, etc.
- Touring, after fuel, lodging, fees, ferries and paying the crew, breaks even at best. Touring as a support act is more or less always a financial loss.
- Even when combining our income, we earn way less per month than the cost of these repairs. Having spent the majority of our twenties doing Tribe Friday stuff means we're not exactly in the top income bracket.
We’ve always made it work, sometimes barely, because the connection we share with you at shows is priceless. But this time, we can’t bridge the gap without help.
How you can help:
If you’ve ever:
- Sung along at a Tribe Friday show
- Enjoyed one of our records
- Told a friend about our music
- Or just want to see us keep going for a little bit
…please consider donating what you can to help us get back on the road. Everything goes toward repairing the van so we can make our 2026 happen.
We don’t want to stop just yet. With your help, we won’t have to.
All the love in the world,
Noah & Isak
Organizer
