The Travis Book Happy Hour: Ed Jurdi (Band of Heathens)

I met Ed Jurdi at a taping of The Travis Book Happy Hour in March of 2021. Our mutual friend Nicki Bluhm was on the show and she’d invited Ed, who’d recently moved to Asheville, to attend. I was not yet acquainted with Band of Heathens or Ed Jurdi, but when we met after the show I was struck by his warmth and attentiveness. It was a couple years before I would get him to Brevard to join me, but immediately during rehearsals I knew we’d be friends and this would only be the first of many times we’d share a stage. I had a blast on this episode (as evidenced by my over-playing) and I’m happy to share it with you.

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This episode was recorded live at 185 King St. in Brevard, North Carolina on May 30, 2023. Huge thanks to Ed Jurdi and Tommy Maher.

Timestamps:

0:08 – Soundbyte
0:49 – Introduction
2:09 – Bill K’s introduction
2:45 – Travis’ audience greeting
3:31 – “All I’m Asking”
7:33 – “Bumblebee”
12:52 – “What a joy”
13:27 – “Jackson Station”
18:32 – Interview
34:11 – “South By Somewhere”
38:51 – “The Good Doctor”
42:45 – “Walking and Talking”
48:43 – Outro


Editor’s note: The Travis Book Happy Hour is hosted by Travis Book of the GRAMMY Award-winning band, The Infamous Stringdusters. The show’s focus is musical collaboration and conversation around matters of being. The podcast is the best of the interview and music from the live show recorded in Asheville and Brevard, North Carolina.

The Travis Book Happy Hour Podcast is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can find the Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen

WATCH: The Band of Heathens, “Heartless Year” (Live)

Artist: The Band of Heathens
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Song: “Heartless Year” (Live)
Album: Simple Things
Release Date: January 18, 2023

In Their Words: “‘Heartless Year’ is a song for the survivors out here juggling the flaming swords of life to hold it together. Recently we’ve all been pushed to our limits realizing we can bounce back stronger than before, and ‘Heartless Year’ is a tribute to that resilience. Our latest album, Simple Things, is an embrace of life’s excess being stripped away, and a celebration of the bare essentials – like friends and family – that pull us through the hard times. This is a recording of the song stripped of its full band arrangement, leaving you with the bare essentials.” – Gordy Quist


Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen
Video Credit: Barbara FG

3×3: Band of Heathens on Superman, Supper Clubs, and Endless Summers

Artist: Ed Jurdi (of the Band of Heathens)
Hometown: Austin, TX
Latest Album: Duende
Rejected Band Names: We had a former band name, the Good Time Supper Club.

Your house is burning down and you can grab only one thing — what would you save?

After I save my family and my dog, I’m grabbing my 1978 Martin D28 that my dad passed down to me.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?

A traveling food writer, a la Anthony Bourdain.

If a song started playing every time you entered the room, what would you want it to be?

“Fanfare for the Common Man” by Copland

 

Out of gas!

A photo posted by The Band Of Heathens (@bandofheathens) on

What is the one thing you can’t survive without on tour?

Earbuds. I need to be able to escape.

If you were an instrument, which one would you be?

Guitar

Who is your favorite superhero?

Superman

Pickles or olives?

Yes, please

Which primary color is the best — blue, yellow, or red?

Blue

Summer or Winter?

Summer, endless summer