Tag: boots
LISTEN: Madeline Hawthorne, “Riverbank” (Feat. Mimi Naja)
Artist: Madeline Hawthorne
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Song: “Riverbank” (featuring Mimi Naja)
Album: Boots
Release Date: October 1, 2021
In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Riverbank’ after my first overnight rafting trip down the Smith River in Montana. This was early on in the pandemic, May of 2020. I was in a dark place emotionally after having to cancel my tour and say goodbye to bandmates, who decided to move on from music to pursue other careers. This river trip brought me back to life and that’s when I decided to write my entire album, Boots. I hold a very special place in my heart for our rivers. They foster beautiful and healthy ecosystems that open your heart and your mind. Floating down a river allows us to witness a part of this earth untainted, serene and powerful. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to explore rivers in the West and I hope that this song brings listeners the feeling that I have when I’m in my happy place hanging out on the Yellowstone River or the beautiful Salmon River in Idaho. There’s just nothing like floating down the line with the one you love, cold beer in hand, warm sun on your skin and good tunes in the background — pure bliss.” — Madeline Hawthorne
Photo credit: Dan Bradner
Gig Bag: Special Consensus
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Greg Cahill from Special Consensus details the items he always have nearby when out on the road.
Lightweight long-sleeve shirts: I am always most comfortable traveling when wearing a comfortable shirt, preferably with pockets. I, of course, do wear t-shirts in a warm climate, but the long-sleeve lightweight shirts have pockets for reading glasses and my phone, and often keep me cooler than a t-shirt. Long sleeves rolled up a bit keeps sun off my arms — I have had brushes with skin cancer from all the sun I absorbed at outdoor festivals over the years, so I must be careful about the sun. In colder climates, I do were a nice flannel shirt or sweater.
Cowboy boots and jeans: I have worn cowboy boots all the time for probably at least 40 years. They seem to mold to one’s feet when broken in and are most comfortable. Lucchese, Tony Lama, and Justin boots are my favorites. I wear boots on stage, so I always wear a pair and keep a stage pair handy. Jeans are also an essential element of my comfort zone and “look.”
Handy all-purpose tool: I always keep this thing handy. It has a bottle opener, corkscrew and cork remover, and a small knife blade. I keep the Boy Scout (and US Army) motto in mind at all times: “Be prepared.”
Sunscreen: This is essential, especially when we play outdoor festivals. I have had too many sun damage things removed from my skin over the years. We never thought about putting on lotion “back in the day …”
Shoe polish: I know this seems weird, but we often play an outdoor festival — getting my boots caked with dust or mud or rain water — and then play a theater the next day. Much easier to just wipe the boots clean and quick polish than to keep rubbing them on my pants or paper towels to make them look presentable.
Extra strings and picks: There is always that one time when the extra strings I thought I had in the banjo case were not there, or when the pick dropped in the dirt by the stage at night can’t be found quickly. Always good to have extras of everything in the bag.
Black t-shirt and ball cap: I often wear a black or white t-shirt under my stage shirt to better absorb sweat, rather than blowing out the armpits! Also keep a ball cap for sun and rain protection.
Gig Bag: Ron Pope
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Ron Pope catalogs the items he always has nearby when out on the road.
Wrangler denim shirts: I own a bunch of these. My friend Jeff Malinowski gave me my first one because he had one that didn’t fit him. After that, I started a little collection. I like not having to think about what I put on. One of these shirts, black jeans, boots, leather jacket, done.
Rev. Willy’s Mexican Lottery brand slide: This slide is super heavy and made of porcelain. I love the warmth that it lends to my slide tone. Most other slide players tend toward lighter materials, but I play like a monkey, so I go with heavy strings (.12-.52 with a wound G), super high action, and these heavy slides. Slide guitar is a fickle mistress, so anything you can find that makes you feel better about your playing is a plus to me.
Old brown boots: I was in Portland, Oregon, on tour. My buddy Zach Berkman and I were trying to find some dress clothes for a friend’s wedding because we were about to fly out for it, and we didn’t bring those kinds of clothes out on the road. We went into a store and he saw these brown boots that were on sale. He asked about them, but they only had one pair left and they happened to be size 13 (my size). I’ve had them resoled, reheeled, and patched countless times. They’ve been on four continents with me. I think they cost around $18.
Ordning & Reda pen: I went into an Ordning & Reda store in Stockholm a number of years ago and bought one of these pens, then wrote a bunch of songs I really liked using that pen. Now they’re the only pens I write songs with. Every year, I go back into that same shop and buy one new pen with a different color grip. I’m not especially superstitious, so these pens are the closest things to a good luck charm that I have.
Rawlings leather backpack: I was shopping for a third anniversary gift for my wife, Blair, and “leather” is the traditional theme for third anniversary gifts. I knew she wanted a new backpack, so I was looking for a leather one she might like. As I searched, I happened upon this bag, which reminded me of an old baseball glove. That made me nostalgic, since I grew up playing the game, so we both got new leather backpacks. Hers doesn’t look like a baseball glove, though.
Gig Bag: Blitzen Trapper
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Earley gives us a look at what the band has to have handy when they are out on the road.
Lucky boots: I always bring my lucky boots, bought for $8 in Tucson in ’07. Road worn and wise, they’ve seen things and walked weird roads upon the Earth.
Tape recorder: Can’t forget the trusty Sony VOR. Nothing like tiny tape to capture the waking world in all its glory. Sounds live on or die accordingly. Call me old school, but I prefer the non-digital hand held.
Pen: Always with a four-color pen, Made in France like good wine, never know when you’ll need an overlooked color choice. “Treat words with respect” is a fine motto.
Bracelet: Mike always wears his bravery bracelet, which his son Winter used to get through those first few scary days of kindergarten.
Books: Brian always brings far more books than he can possibly read, but “better safe than sorry” is a fine motto, once again.
3×3: Chamomile and Whiskey on Prine, Performing, and Pairing Socks
Artist: Koda Kerl (of Chamomile and Whiskey)
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Latest Album: Sweet Afton
Personal Nicknames: My sister calls me Shiny and Lavin (banjo player) calls me Kokomo sometimes. We also call our new guitar player Drew “Old Spice.”
If you could safely have any animal in the world as a pet, which would you choose?
An elephant would be cool, could work him in as part of our act.
Do your socks always match?
No, they almost never do.
If you could have a superpower, what would you choose?
To write songs as well as John Prine.
Which describes you as a kid — tree climber, video gamer, or book reader?
Tree climber
Who was the best teacher you ever had — and why?
My high school theater teacher, Mrs. Driver. She’s so wonderful, and I’d never even thought about performing, until I met her. She completely changed my life.
What’s your favorite city?
New Orleans
Boots or sneakers?
Boots. Always.
Which brothers do you prefer — Avett, Wood, Stanley, Comatose, or Louvin?
Louvin
Head or heart?
Heart
Photo credit: Aaron Farrington
3×3: Robert Francis on Rescuing the Pitbulls, Disappearing from Parties, and Playing the Piano
Artist: Robert Francis
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Latest Album: Indian Summer
Personal Nicknames: Baboo or the Crushed Beer Can
If you could safely have any animal in the world as a pet, which would you choose?
I’d like to have a ranch with hundreds of rescued pitbulls.
Do your socks always match?
Never
If you could have a superpower, what would you choose?
The power to disappear from parties.
Which describes you as a kid — tree climber, video gamer, or book reader?
All of the above.
Who was the best teacher you ever had — and why?
My father. When I was two years old, he’d hum melodies and ask me to play them back to him on the piano. That’s how I developed my ear. He was an amateur astronomer, photographer, and classical record producer.
What’s your favorite city?
New Orleans. My grandad and all the men in our family before him are from there.
Boots or sneakers?
Boots
Which brothers do you prefer — Avett, Wood, Stanley, Comatose, or Louvin?
Louvin
Head or heart?
Heart
3×3: Hellbound Glory on Ball Breakers, Sheryl’s Socks, and Foreshadowing Free Will
Artist: Leroy Virgil (of Hellbound Glory)
Hometown: Aberdeen, WA and Sun Valley, NV
Latest Album: Pinball
Personal Nicknames (or Rejected Band Names): Longpig (personal), The Git Drunx (band)
What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?
AC/DC at the Tacoma Dome on the Ball Breaker tour
How many unread emails or texts currently fill your inbox?
Thousands
How many pillows do you sleep with?
At home, I have one, but at the Holiday Inn, there’s four.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I have one pair of cowboy boots, running shoes, and work boots.
If you were going to buy a famous musician’s pair of dirty socks off of eBay, whose would you buy?
Sheryl Crow’s tour socks
What’s your favorite vegetable?
Vegetable medley
Fate or free will?
Free will and foreshadowing
Sweet or sour?
Salty mama
Sunrise or sunset?
These days, the sunset … but the eclipse beats em all.
Photo credit: Melissa Stilwell
The 400 Unit: Gets Ready to Rock
Before there’s sound, lights, or friendly stage banter, there’s stage wear setting the tone for the performance. Whether it’s sporting jeans and a tee or showing up dressed to the nines night after night, what a musician chooses to wear on stage says a thing or two about themselves and mood of the night.
I have an appreciation for everything from the understated and functional to the over-the-top wardrobe decisions of an artist/band. One band that always delivers an unforgettable performance while looking handsome as hell is the 400 Unit. I caught up with the guys earlier this month during their impressive six-night run backing Jason Isbell at Nashville’s beloved Ryman Auditorium and got a behind-the-scenes experience of their rituals and wardrobe choices.
“No one ever gave me any advice on stage wear. I’ve been touring since I was 18 years old, so I pretty much learned as I went. I think it’s important to dress how you feel and, also, if you like a vintage look, don’t go too far; still try to remain in the current time you’re living in, as best you can.” — Sadler Vaden, guitar
Clothing Superstitions
I like to have my coin necklace that belonged to my mother, who is deceased. I feel a sense of comfort and a relaxing energy when I wear it.
Pre-show Ritual
Lately, my pre-show ritual has been getting the guitar out and singing any song while Jimbo sings the high harmony.
Stage Wear Essential
I find that a good pair of black Levi’s jeans are essential for any rocker. You can make those work in any situation you’re in, if you need to look sharp or casual
Never leave for tour without … one good pair of comfortable socks.
“When I was 19 or so, and playing in a couple of different working bands in college, one of my gigs was in a blues band. For every other gig I did, it was pretty much anything goes, as they were college bands playing whatever was popular at the time. But my blues gig was always way more serious and professional. It was then that I realized that fashion had a place in what I was doing. Playing blues festivals and juke joints around the South put me around a culture of musicians who dressed their best, no matter what the gig. Admittedly, I don’t always go full-on dapper, but when I do …” — Chad Gamble, drums
Clothing Superstitions
As a drummer, I tend to stay away from things like long sleeves, coats, and slick boots. Plenty of drummers are able to pull those things off, but it only increases the possibility of disaster for me. Sticks getting caught in shirt cuffs and feet sliding around pedals are true wardrobe malfunctions.
Pre-show Ritual
I pace. Endlessly.
Stage Wear Essential
I wear hats when I play. I’m not vain enough to think that it makes me look better, but the truth is, I have the propensity to sweat when I play … a lot. If I were in Dire Straits or something, I might wear a sweat band, but hats serve that purpose well enough for me and look better, in my opinion.
Never leave for tour without … Downy Wrinkle Release.
“I don’t remember anyone giving me any particular advice about how to dress for the stage, but it was during my time in Son Volt that I figured things out for myself. That was my first professional gig and it was the first time I wasn’t begging my friends to come see me play because there was an audience already there for that band. A lot of them were paying good money for tickets and for a ‘show.’ Suddenly, you’re not just a musician; you’re a performer.” — Derry deBorja, keys and accordion
Clothing Superstitions
I used to wear a tie the night a show sold out. It was mustard yellow and probably lost somewhere in my closet. No real superstition behind it. It became a kind of game. Made it easier to decide what to wear on some given nights.
Pre-show Ritual
I go to the bathroom a lot. I drink a lot of water.
Stage Wear Essential
Combat boots are my new essential. You can wear them anywhere with pretty much anything, both on and off the stage. Very handy for touring as it makes for a lighter suitcase.
Never leave for tour without … either a camera, an audio recorder, or a pen and paper. Also, never leave for tour without cleaning up your place before you leave. Trust me.
“I can’t recall anyone specifically giving any advice on stage wear. I’d always heard that Hank Williams once said that, if you’re gonna stand in front of an audience to entertain them, you have to dress better than them. That piece of advice gets more expensive every year!” — Jimbo Hart, bass
Clothing Superstitions
I once had a fedora that I acquired while on the road with a band that didn’t end well, and I held on to that fedora … until I started almost having automotive incidents every single time I wore it. I started to believe that it was cursed, somehow. Derry and I had to go to St. Louis one time to get some of his gear, and I told him about the hat the morning we were leaving. He called me crazy and then we got in the van to leave and, sure enough, we almost got hit head-on. I tossed that fedora out the window somewhere on I-55 and, thankfully, no more near-collisions.
Pre-show Ritual
Besides making sure all pockets are empty, save a few picks, the only pre-show ritual that seems to happen every single night is me asking Derry if my clothes are okay. He always shoots me straight.
Stage Wear Essential
I wear a lot of hats. I call them essential because they cover up my lack of good hair. Also, I have a thin, aluminum bracelet that a friend gave me with ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ inscribed on it that I wear all the time (on and off stage) to remind me of where I’m from and the people who made me who I am.
Never leave for tour without … at least one awesome pair of boots. They always work with jeans, and you never know when you’ll actually need their functionality. It’s more often than one might imagine.
Cale Tyson Shifts His Fashion Gear
After moving to Nashville, Tennessee, from Fort Worth, Texas, there was a brief period where I would return to H-town for the holidays, and my pals would say something along the lines of “I love your outfit … you look very Nashville.” While I knew they intended this to be a compliment, I’ve never wanted my style to be categorized as the entire population of a city. After the third or fourth time hearing that, I bagged up my existing wardrobe, took it to the GoodWill off Gallatin Pike and started over. I have nothing against looking “Nashville.” I love Nashville. It’s just that I’d rather have my own style that reflects me and my interests — not my surroundings.
So, when singer/songwriter Cale Tyson told me he recently threw out every plaid, piped, pearl snap he owned and has hung his hat for a moment, I completely understood. The once outlaw-outfitted artist has traded his honky-tonk duds for a more accurate reflection of who he finds himself to be … today. I met up with Cale to capture two fresh looks that he’s enjoying these days.
When Cale showed up to the shoot wearing overalls and Birkenstocks, I knew the next couple of hours would be a lot of fun. Sure, the thought of combining overalls and Birks together can be a scary one. There is a high possibility of something going terribly wrong with the details, but Cale classes up the look with smart pairings. Layering the overalls over a solid, wide crew-neck tee, a neat cuff at the hem line, and a classic pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses elevated the outfit.
The only thing I love more than a monochromatic outfit is a natural white monochromatic outfit. Makes me think of West Texas deserts and great open skies. Cale tops off this look with a sandy belt, sandy cowboys boots, his favorite turquoise ring, and his go-to round metal frame Ray-Ban sunglasses. This look can carry into the winter and fall with the addition of sweaters, a denim jacket, a wool cap, or a structured hat. If you’re thinking of giving this look a go, just make sure to stick to a single color and vary up the shades and fabric textures. Don’t know where to start? Check out Imogene + Willie for some natural white staples.
Cale is doing a brilliant job keeping to the basics and looking far from basic. His wardrobe is made up of relaxed, versatile items that come together for an effortless, yet polished look. While the items hanging in Cale’s closet are great pieces, I think his tall, lanky posture and disheveled mane contribute more to individualizing his style. I dig the role his body and personality play in setting a vibe for whatever he throws on. There’s a lot shifting in the young musician’s life right now, and I’m enjoying hearing and seeing his expression through this phase.