This week we conclude our music and travel series, “Are Touring Musicians the Real Travelers” on the Sosauce blog. For the past two months I’ve talked to independent artists, managers, label owners, and bands about life as a traveling musician. We’ve learned the hardships of touring, discovering new destinations, keeping yourself and your band mates together, and ultimately how travel can make or break you.
Thanks to all the great industry folk I’ve spoken to for their time and discussions. Browse the archives to read my previous interviews.
Let’s end the series in style with Hotspur!
Meet Hotspur: the energetic pop/rockers from Maryland who are quickly becoming fan favorites on MTVu with their catchy dance floor sounds ala The Killers and Muse. The band has been touring for several years along the northeast and D.C. metro area, and this New Year’s Eve you can catch them live in Baltimore.
I recently got to talk to Hotspur guitarist Evan Anderson and vocalist Joe Mach about their travel experiences and here’s what they dished out on:
How did Hotspur get started?
Singer/songwriter Joe Mach and keyboard player Dave Trichter formed Hotspur while both were undergraduates at the University of Maryland. Inspired by the sophisticated songwriting and dynamic live performances of bands such as The Killers and Muse, the duo aspired to create “the sound of rock ’n’ roll evolving”—grandiose vocals and crunchy guitars, infused with intricate piano work and hip-hop inspired synthesizers.
Drummer Scott Robinson joined the band after producing their debut EP. Dave “Coop” Cooper soon joined on bass. The band was christened “Hotspur” after the rash and hot-headed Shakespearean villain, namesake to the cult favorite UK football team.
What types of challenges do you face while being out on tour?
I think the most challenging thing is staying healthy and sane. We spend a ton of time together in tight quarters in the van, and the long drives, fast food and lack of quality sleep start to wear on you. Also if one person in the band gets sick, EVERYONE gets sick. There’s no escape. We had to cut our last tour short because Evan (guitar player) caught swine flu and it eventually brought us all down.
Other restrictions would include lack of internet, and the fact that the van/trailer can only do about 55mph tops.
How do you kill time when you’re off-stage? Any fun activities you enjoy on your down time?
We try to keep our days pretty full. We’ll set up radio interviews at the nearest college, or play an acoustic set at Hot Topic during the day to promote for the show. If we play in a city or town I haven’t been to before, I try to wander around and get a feel for the town, but it often depends on the weather.
What is the best part of traveling as a band in your opinion?
For us it always comes back to performing live and meeting our fans and making new fans. I love driving and seeing different parts of the country, but it still all comes down to getting on that stage every night and doing what we do best.
Ever feel like a nomad with the constant traveling?
I’ve always reassured my parents that if the band thing doesn’t work out I have a promising career as a truck driver. Haha. When I think of traveling I associate it with vacation–and while touring is a lot of fun, it’s definitely no vacation. I think it more closely shares the aesthetic of a backpacking or camping trip; where you spend a lot of time dealing with the unexpected, and often have to “rough it.”
Has the constant traveling influenced your songwriting at all?
Definitely. I do a lot of the late night driving, and some of my best song ideas come out on long drives. There’s something about long drives, especially to new places, that can be very inspiring. Sometimes. . . New Jersey Turnpike, not so inspiring.
Considering all the traveling Hotspur has done, do you guys consider yourselves Travel Geeks?
I’ve gotten to the point where even when I’m home I live out of my suitcase – that’s gotta give me some sort of traveler cred!
You can follow Hotspur online by visiting www.hotspurmusic.com
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Sorry to say this, but I listened to some Hotspur tracks and they struck me as utterly insincere. They seem accomplished technically but I didn’t sense any feeling there at all–just cold market calculation.
Guys, for god’s sake, if you are real musicians please skip the cliches?
-Anne