For some, it鈥檚 all for a shot at fame and fortune.
But for Alex Vissia (VISSIA), who hits the Record City stage Oct. 3, it鈥檚 all about the love of playing music.
鈥淚 think the physical aspect of playing music is the most enjoyable thing, and playing for people is a lot better than playing in your room,鈥� Vissia said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really energizing to experience how people also experience your music.鈥�
In support of her upcoming album Place Holder, which drops Nov. 10, Vissia is taking her love of playing on tour, with over 20 confirmed dates stretching across the province from B.C. to Quebec.
鈥淵ou find yourself in new territory a lot and it pushes you outside your comfort zone,鈥� Vissia said.
Vernon is one such new territory for Vissia to explore, and she鈥檚 looking forward to the opportunity to share her passion with a new audience.
鈥淚鈥檝e toured through B.C., but never Vernon,鈥� Vissia said. 鈥淚鈥檓 kind of just trying to branch out more and expand my network.鈥�
And Vernon came highly recommended by Vissia鈥檚 musician friends.
鈥淚 have a lot of friends who have toured through Vernon before and say it鈥檚 really cool. I鈥檓 really excited to go back (to B.C.). It should be a lot of fun.鈥�
The Edmonton-based folk-rocker鈥檚 B.C. gigs come on the heels of a month-long Canada-wide tour throughout the month of November.
鈥淭his one is kind of nice because it鈥檚 not too long,鈥� Vissia said of the tour鈥檚 B.C. leg. 鈥淭he road life is very different than being at home for sure.鈥�
But Vissia is looking forward to the cycle of hitting the road and touring, with a special interest in her Nov. 10 gig in Toronto, where Place Holder is officially launched, though she will have copies of the album available at shows prior to the Toronto stop.
Place Holder is an evolution of Vissia鈥檚 iconic warm sound, as evidenced by the album鈥檚 first single I Wanted and teaser EP You Should Be Sleeping.
鈥淚t鈥檚 where folk and rock meet in the middle. The record does have a lot of electric guitar and full band tracks. I think each song has it鈥檚 own persona. I just kind of stepped into new categories,鈥� Vissia said of Place Holder, adding that some of her folk-rock jams take on a country sound.
And it鈥檚 an evolution that translates well to the stage.
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a lot of energy for sure 鈥� I tend to get really absorbed in the performance,鈥� Vissia said. 鈥淚 have a really great time on stage.鈥�
As a byproduct of extensive touring, Vissia feels her stage performance has taken on a new life.
鈥淭he more experience I have, the easier it is to keep that consistency,鈥� Vissia said. 鈥淵ou have to be prepared for anything and do what you do, no matter what happens.鈥�
With her indie-musician background and love of all things music, Vissia decided to take her musician career in another direction, and alongside the release of I Wanted and with the help of business partner Nich Davies, Vissia launched her new independent record label Hurry Hard Records.
鈥淎s an indie artist you鈥檙e already doing everything 鈥� it felt like a good idea to start it,鈥� Vissia said of her new endeavor.
And it鈥檚 all with the intent of assisting and promoting Edmonton musicians.
鈥淚鈥檝e been doing this music project for five or six years and have formed some really good relationships through it,鈥� Vissia said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really hard to do everything on your own as a musician, and I鈥檓 looking forward to showing what musicians in this area can do to Canada and the world.鈥�
Place Holder is available for pre-sale online at , with a limited edition 180g gold vinyl available while supplies last.
SMG Endeavors presents VISSIA and Lili Starr 鈥� Tanya Lipscomb鈥檚 country persona, at Record City stage Oct. 3. Tickets are available for $10 in advance through or $15 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts by 8 p.m. All ages.
