New Orleans songwriter and guitarist Anders Osborne recalls his first gig – at age 9 – and the tour vans he has owned over the course of his career.
Travis Book on “Money-Vans”, Oysters, and Keeping Overhead Low
Travis Book of The Infamous Stringdusters talks about why the Chrysler Town & Country is the mullet of vans, the importance of picking a band name carefully, and working on a golf course.
Alastair Caplin of The Langan Band on Rehearsals in the Scottish Highlands and Keeping a Journal
Fiddler Alastair Caplin of Scotland’s The Langan Band shares a tour lesson learned and talks about eating healthy while on tour and time spent teaching horse-back riding.
Bridget Kearney on Macrobars, Paul McCartney, and Working at Fenway Park
Bridget Kearney, solo artist and founding member of Lake Street Dive, talks about a good omen ahead of her band’s first show at Madison Square Garden, her evolving view on making music videos, and the time she broke the windshield of a taxi in Shanghai, China.
Ruston Kelly on “Golden Snow” and Developing Thick Skin
Singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly talks about rehearsing at home, working at a chicken plant when he was 20, and the time that his tour bus caught on fire.
Robert Jon Burrison on Playing Live and Early Days Working as a Barista
Robert Jon Burrison of Southern California’s Robert Jon & the Wreck talks about the Johnny Cash vibe of his first song and shares the name of the band’s new tour van.
Dan Forsyth of Driftwood on Fixing a Broken Fuel Pump and Trusting One’s Instincts
Guitarist and songwriter Dan Forsyth of upstate New York rock group Driftwood talks about 25 years spent rehearsing in the basement of a bandmate’s parent’s house and working at Cracker Barrel.
JJ Grey on Salad Bars, Working at a Lumber Yard, and the River of Nickels
Florida singer-songwriter JJ Grey recalls his early cover band days (and singing The Outfield’s “Your Love”) and talks about his new rehearsal space.
Ghalia Volt on Her Invisible Tour Van and Backyard Rehearsals in New Orleans
New Orleans by way of Brussels, Belgium blues singer Ghalia Volt talks about touring with a $40 juicer and her definition of financial success.
Shane Smith on Breaking Guitar Strings and Building a Team
Texas musician Shane Smith talks about working as a part-time tennis coach during the band’s early years and not getting paid after his first gig.