Canadian soul-bluesman Matt Andersen talks about a day-job working in a factory, his record for the number of strings broken in a night and the uncertain future economic value of music.
Austin Thompson of The Way Down Wanderers on Coffee and Selling Out Their First Show
Austin Thompson of Chicago quintet The Way Down Wanderers talks about brewing coffee while on the road, their movable rehearsal space and where the most important band work happens.
Jimbo Mathus on Rehearsing in an Old Fire Station and Working to Stay Afloat
Jimbo Mathus recalls riding multiple tour vans into the ground, time spent working as a deck hand for the Canal Barge Company in New Orleans and a blessed career without health insurance.
The Suitcase Junket on Breaking Strings at Inopportune Moments and an Aversion to Budgets
The Suitcase Junket talks about singing his own songs in public for the first time, hotel continental breakfasts and treating his career as a business.
Tim Bluhm Shares Three Words of Advice and a Tip for Eating Healthy on Tour
Tim Bluhm recalls touring in an airport shuttle and working as a mountain guide.
Kylie Rae Harris on Topo Chico and Not Losing Sight of the “Why”
Texas singer-songwriter Kylie Rae Harris on the high school residency that helped her build her musical chops, the importance of showing up and why being an artist is a total gamble.
Elise Davis on Chick-Fil-A and Her Approach to Social Media
Singer-songwriter Elise Davis shares the story behind her first song, an exhilarating first gig and a spectrum of day jobs.
Michael McDermott On the Spinal Tap Stonehenge Set and a Career’s Worth of Tour Vehicles
Singer-songwriter Michael McDermott talks about the improvised guitar strap at his first gig and his secret for eating well while on tour.
Ryan Bingham on Working at Disney World Paris and the Key to More Rewarding Live Shows
Ryan Bingham talks about finding apples at truck stops, rolling his tour van off the side of a mountain in Montana and early gigs playing for tips and beer.
Nikki Hill on Touring with “Big Connie” and Believing in Herself
Fiery rocker Nikki Hill talks about the vast array of day jobs that she’s had while building her career and finding rehearsal studios while touring.