Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
Right now, we’re in a Ford Transit 350 towing a trailer for gear. I don’t wanna look at the mileage. Let’s just say it’s in its working years. Aside from the constantly chipping and cracking windshield, it’s been really good to us. We’ve also been luckier than many as far as break-ins. One time, though, we did fall victim to a smash-and-grab in Berkeley, CA. It was the middle of the day and we left the van parked in front of a bank on a busy street for less than an hour. It didn’t seem risky or dangerous at all. Luckily, they only made off with a couple laptops and backpacks. Plus, they got Graham’s fat copy of War and Peace. I hope the thieves are having fun with that.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
I try to take advantage of hotel breakfasts and grab some fruit or something for later. It’s worth losing a little sleep. Some days it’s almost impossible to find something green to eat aside from that plastic-covered sweaty veggie tray that’s always in the green room fridge. That plus the hummus on our rider ends up being a considerable part of my diet. As for meals, you’re pretty often short on options and time. You take what you can get. After a couple weeks of restaurant food I usually have to push myself to eat enough of it.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I don’t break many anymore, maybe a couple a year. The Rotosound electric flats I use are around $45 a set, and they last quite a while. There was a period of time when I was transitioning from playing more upright to electric bass when I was snapping them more often. It felt like switching from shooting a basketball to a Ping-Pong ball. I overshot a lot.
Where do you rehearse?
Up in our hometown, Petoskey, we rehearse in the basement of Tony’s parents’ house. I’m not really sure there’s another place we could go, the town is pretty small. It’s the same room where we all got together as kids with our first guitars and amps and drums. Tony’s dad plays music too, so he has the room rigged up with a PA. It’s cozy and familiar, and Mrs. Audia is always making fresh pots of coffee. Occasionally, since we don’t all live up there anymore, we’ll have to rent out rehearsal spaces in various cities and it never feels quite right.
Describe your first gig.
I’m not even sure how to answer that. Early in high school I started playing with these guys. The first paid gig might have been at Graham’s aunt’s coffee shop, but I remember playing lots of talent shows and open mics and things like that. It was essentially the same group, though Christian was younger and new in town so we didn’t start playing with him until a little later. Eventually we got gigs at private parties and then bars and local festivals. Petoskey is a secluded tourist town that doesn’t get a lot out-of-town acts, so we got plenty of opportunities. By the end of high school we were relatively busy. We made some money at it, too.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
The last day job I’ve had was substitute teaching. It was also maybe my least favorite. I remain in awe of (and deep gratitude to) people who give their lives to K-12 education. It just really wasn’t for me.
My favorite way that I’ve made money to supplement my music career has been painting. A couple years after we started this band I became obsessed with oil paint. Commissioned pieces (mostly portraits, people and dogs) have often floated me between tours. It’s also my favorite way to recenter my mind and body after time on the road. I tell everyone they should try it. Check out my Instagram if you want to see my stuff!
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
While touring has always been our main source of income, it’s also gotten more expensive lately. I suppose everything has. The ticket counts and the advances go up, but then so does the overhead. It’s hard to make sense of the past and the future, we’re just constantly trying to keep this thing alive, trying to make the next thing.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
I wish I understood how much success can rely on shameless self-promotion. That’s how things seem as an independent band in the social media age, at least. I did it once here already! Like and follow! Probably this is less surprising to people who are only a few years younger than I am. These days you can’t just be a good musician, you have to be a good videographer and actor and content creator, and you have to get used to seeing yourself on screens constantly. I’d venture to say it could be worse for your health than the food and the beers on the road. I guess we’ll see. Like and follow!