Photo credit: Michelle Bennett
Tell us about your tour vehicle.
Today we’re making our final drive homeward from a three-and-a-half-week tour. It’s the first time we’ve attempted to tour as a family — my husband, our two-year-old daughter, and me. We rented a built-out camper van from friends, a Dodge ProMaster (think Amazon van). It’s on the shorter side lengthwise, so you can parallel park in NYC but still stand up inside. Overall, we loved it! There’s a queen bed in the back, so during most shows, I would start my set and my husband would take our daughter to the van for bedtime. Having our own space to be with her was an absolute game-changer.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
Slowly but surely, I’m learning that it’s okay to have preferences and opinions on tour. When folks ask what you want to eat, it’s okay to be direct and ask for local, healthy food. This tour was the first time I had the capacity to cook in our vehicle, so in the mornings, if we weren’t staying with friends, we could fry up a few eggs or oat pancakes. I also packed plenty of homemade food we could easily prepare. We brought along a few Taste of India curry pouches and quick-cooking rice, and having a very quick, warm meal before a show when needed was an absolute revelation!
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
The only time I really break strings these days is when I’m moving between tunings. That usually happens when I’ve left a set on for a good couple months. I use D’Addario strings and have been loving the XS sets. They last a good while and don’t take long to break in.
Where do you rehearse?
Our home is small, so I currently have my desk, an amp, and guitars set up in a corner of our bedroom. As it goes, I often find myself squeezing in small bits of practice time while my daughter is occupied with play, so it may happen anywhere in the yard or house. It’s all about adaptability these days, which I’m still learning.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
I was twelve years old when I wrote my first full song. It felt like magic and I might as well have been floating around midair for a few days afterward. The title was “Just As It Seems,” and the last line of the chorus was “leave it just as it seems, even if it is a dream.” Definitely a 12-year-old love/crush song. I was convinced it was going to be the perfect song for Nickel Creek to cover.
Describe your first gig.
The first gig I remember being paid for was at the farmer’s market. Granted, we were paid with a wagon-full of vegetables. Four of my siblings and I had started playing music together, and I recall feeling a real sense of accomplishment being able to take vegetables home to our mom after playing an hour of songs and fiddle tunes. I was about 10 years old. I wish I still had that setlist!
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
Most of the jobs I’ve had in my life have been related to music in some way, either performing, teaching, or recording. I feel really grateful for that. Nannying was also a fun job that helped me get through college. One of the sweet girls I nannied for is now making a big splash in the music scene. I can’t take much credit, though. I taught her “Ohio” by Gillian Welch, and she’s done the rest on her own. 🙂
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?
I’m on the road a lot less these days than I was 10 years ago. I spent seven years touring with a folk quintet called Della Mae, and we were often on the road 200+ days a year. Traveling now has to be more deliberate. More of my time is spent on my own music and on producing or recording for other artists. I’m learning that balance is a pendulum, and putting more focus on one aspect of my work is okay for a season. The pendulum always swings back.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Every audience member, every listener matters. As a younger version of myself, I didn’t truly value the folks who supported me. I tend to be an introvert, so it sometimes felt too overwhelming to genuinely engage. Now I understand the sacrifice it takes to be at a show — the money, the time, the logistics, the babysitters, the scheduling. I never want to take the presence of an audience for granted.