Tour Stories/The Check-In with Joe Plummer

Latest Episodes:

The Check In with Kassie Carlson from Guerilla Toss Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Kassie is a founding member, singer and lyricist for Guerilla Toss. In this episode Kassie and Joe discuss her life at home during the involuntary touring break, what happens when her "home life" and "rock n roll" life meet and why she's looking forward to getting back on the road and supporting Famously Alive (out March 25th on Sub Pop Records). Kassie shares how her close friend and collaborator helped her kick a heroin habit and why that relationship is so important to the new record. She also explains how the video for the single was born out of a stress nap and why her dog Watley is built for touring. We hear the new single, Cannibal Capitol and close the episode with Betty Dreams of Green Men from GT Ultra.
https://www.subpop.com/
https://guerillatoss.bandcamp.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
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@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Izotope

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

The Check In with Bonnie Bloomgarden from Death Valley Girls Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

This week Joe has a vibrant conversation with Bonnie Bloomgarden, singer, songwriter and founding member of Death Valley Girls. Bonnie and Joe discuss the impact that touring has had on her life, how a recent tour has served as version of exposure therapy. and why the involuntary break has positively changed both her life at home and her perspective of life on the road. Bonnie tells us how hypnosis plays a role in her song writing and why she feels lucky that her favorite animal is a dog. We hear a new tune from the Death Valley Girls/Le Butcherettes split 7” on Suicide Squeeze Records and Bonnie hips us to her new paranormal podcast, Death Valley Girls Podcast
https://suicidesqueeze.net/
https://deathvalleygirls.bandcamp.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

Izotope

The Check-In with Nile Marr Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

Nile Marr is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Manchester, England. He's been making records and touring for most of his young adult life. Though he grew up in Manchester, Nile spent his formable years in Portland Oregon, absorbing the vibes of Modest Mouse, The Shins, The Thermals and other PNW rock n rollers. When he's not supporting his solo efforts, he's on the road with Hans Zimmerman, filling in for his dad, Johnny Marr. In this episode Nile shares a few funny tales from the life of a DIY musician, both at home and the road. He tells us why trying to convince himself that playing shows is no longer important failed and what motivated him to keep writing over the pandemic. We hear two new tunes from his newest release How We Drift on Park The Van Records.
Music by Nile Marr and Joe Plummer
https://www.parkthevan.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BTBLAIeqhU
https://nilemarr.bandcamp.com/album/how-we-drift

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Distrokid

Izotope

Schecter Guitars

The Check-In With Maita Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

This week Joe talks with Maria and Matthew from MAITA. They discuss the process of making their new record I Just Want To Be Wild For You (out February 18th on Kill Rock Stars), life in Portland Oregon over the last couple years and how a space heater contributed to their sanity preservation. Maria explains why she see's loneliness as luxury and why it's precious to her. Joe plays Road Song, a tune which illustrates the circular monotony of touring, something most musicians are presently longing for. Matthew and Maria tell us why they feel most "alive" on tour, share a few tour survival techniques and why the experience of spending time with people you don't know is important.
Music by MAITA and Joe Plummer
https://killrockstars.com/blogs/news/maita-announces-album-releases-single-video
https://maita.bandcamp.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

Izotope

The Check-In with Janet Weiss Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

Janet Weiss is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist and all around stand-up rock n roll human from Portland, Oregon. In this episode Janet shares her experience making the new Quasi and why it was important to be in "touring shape" prior to going into the studio. Joe and Janet discuss how her recovery from a serious car accident may have prepped her for the involuntary touring break most musicians have endured and how's she's put her "doer" personality into practice in order to feel good, or at the very least, not feel bad. Naturally, the two drummers talk Get Back, Ringo, Neil Peart, Stella Mazgowa and why too many peacocks in one band is a bad idea. Another thing that Joe and Janet have in common is their love for cars. You'll hear about a few of Janets favorite cars, what she prefers to tour in and why.
New Segment alert! Borrowing from Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, Joe and Janet play Drummers In Their Favorite Cars Getting Coffee With Their Favorite Drummers. You'll be surprised by their choices!
We hear a rare recording of Quasi covering New Zealand's The 3D's and a new song from Janet's band with Drew Grow, Slang.
Music by Quasi, Slang and Joe Plummer
https://www.instagram.com/theeslang/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/RealSlang/
https://theequasi.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thee.quasi/?hl=en
https://drewgrow.bandcamp.com/album/the-comfort-feel

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Izotope

Distrokid

Year End Special Episode with Tim Dibbins and Mister Heavenly. Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

We have recovered the lost Mister Heavenly interview with Carrboro's finest journalist, Tim Dibbins. As usual, Tim brings the truth to the surface, stopping at nothing to get to the core of songwriting, inner band relationships and what makes Mister Heavenly tick as a powerful trio. We see sides of Nick, Ryan and Joe that have never been revealed and though at times uncomfortable, this interview provides us with an insight that has been lazily overlooked by journalist since the bands inception. Let Tim lead you into the percussive depths of Mister Heavenly's motivation and creative essence.
Bonus: a mini playlist of Mister Heavenly tunes chosen by the band!
Music by Joe Plummer and Mister Heavenly
https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/
https://www.subpop.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Izotope

Distrokid

Schecter Guitars

The Check-In with Cedric Noel Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Cedric Noel is a Niger born singer and songwriter living in Montreal, Quebec. His newest release, Hang Time (out now on Joyful Noise Recordings ) is a lush mixture of melody, looped phrasing and ambient hooks. In this episode Joe and Cedric discuss the power of interlocking melodies and rhythms, how ambiance plays a role in his songwriting, the path of musical influence and why he may feel “weird” about some of the songs he’s written. Cedric also hints at the direction of his next project and we hear a few tunes from Hang Time.

Music by Cedric Noel and Joe Plummer
https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/
https://cedricnoelmusic.bandcamp.com/album/hang-time

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

The Check-In with José Medeles Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

José Medeles is a multi-instrumentalist, a composer, a world renowned business owner (Revival Drum Shop) and a writer. In this episode and Joe and José talk Marc Ribot, how his shop survived that last 2 years, the benefits of embracing "slowness" and why he may need to do "musical pushups" before certain listening experiences. They also discuss his new book, A Drummers Ethos, what gave him the confidence to write it and why the writing process is a fun experience for him. In addition to his new book, José has recorded a new John Fahey tribute album, Railroad Cadences and Melancholic Anthems (out spring 2022 on Jealous Butcher Records) . We hear a few tunes and talk about the recording process.
Music by José Medeles and Joe Plummer.
https://josemedeles.com/
https://www.jealousbutcher.com/
https://www.revivaldrumshop.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Distrokid

Schecter Guitars

Izotope

The Check-In with Zach Blair Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Zach Blair is a seasoned guitarist and vocalist from Texas. For over 20 years, Zach has been touring, writing and recording with various hardcore and punk bands, most notably, GWAR and Rise Against. In this episode Joe and Zach talk recent touring experiences, the idea of identity loss during the involuntary rock and roll break, what real Texas is like outside the "island of Austin" and of course, the new Beatles documentary, Get Back. We also hear a few tunes from the newest live Rise Against EP, Nowhere Sessions (Loma Vista Recordings). And bonus! Zach gives us a short, but powerful tour story from his days with GWAR.
https://www.riseagainst.com/
https://www.lomavistarecordings.com/
Music by Rise Against and Joe Plummer

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

Izotope

The Check-In with Ken Andrews Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Ken Andrews is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer and founding member of Failure. In this episode Joe and Ken discuss the poison legacy of the Trump administration and the stress that comes with a politicized public health system. Ken explains the major label debacle that is responsible for Failure's 1997 break up and why the band is a better a functioning unit in the reboot phase. We hear a couple tunes from Failures forthcoming record Wild Type Droid (out December 3 2021) and Ken shares how improvisation was influential in the recording process.
Music by Failure and Joe Plummer
https://failureband.com/

Use Code Fret10 for a free month of Music Production Suite Pro and a 10% discount on all other software.
visit https://www.izotope.com/en/lp/ruinous.html

@thetourstories

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Distrokid

Izotope