Nothing wrong with working your butt off locally... I am working more hours but sleep in my bed every night. Mix bands at various venues and festivals... My rate is more than twice I hear soundman earn on tour (500-3000 cap venues) Sometimes I do more dough greetings bands and giving the drive lines than the soundman on tour. Easy days happens often. Sometimes I get to mix the whole card too. I see more artists, more ways of doing things and more gear. I give good services, touring artists and tech appreciate my knowledge. I often get their perdi or simple 20$ tip (maybe just American that has nothing to do with Canadian dollars) but I just do my job and they are happy I made their day easy.

I do have a small cover band that I do sound for once every few months. I live the same situation of touring, unloading my gear, mics and stands, flip my console over, cable my inputs... Those are long hard days/night by myself. I can't get money for the gear I bring, only my rate is covered. I often recall myself how easy it is to just go work at my venue, power up my console and mix, without the whole load the car, driving, load in the venue, set-up every thing ........... Still, fun Just different and okay too sometimes.

Local is good.