Tag: gig bag

Gig Bag: Jeremy Garrett

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Jeremy Garrett details the items he always has nearby when out on the road.

The main thing I take on the road in my gig bag is some reusable utensils and a water bottle. So much waste can be generated while traveling, and it’s important for us all to do our part to curb that waste as much as possible. Cutting down on one-time-use water bottles and plastic ware can be a great way to reduce our impact on the environment.

Another thing that I bring on the road always, especially when riding in a bus, is a very comfortable pair of “house shoes.” Sometimes even just bringing one small familiar thing from home on tour can help tie those two worlds together a little better and keep you grounded.

I always pack two raincoats. Especially during festival season. There’s been more than one occasion where the extra one has come in handy, for a crew member, band member, or even a second dry one for you to wear. They are small and light weight and wrapped up, take almost no room in a suitcase.

 

 

 

This extra insert cable never leaves my suitcase. These things can stop working on a pedal board sometimes and leave you in a bind. Not me!!

A multi-tool is a great thing to have along.

I throw this bottle of Benadryl in my case, because you never when you might eat something or get bit by something that you are allergic to. Last year I found out was allergic to shiitake mushrooms. The hard way. Having Benadryl on hand really helped with this matter.

One more thing that I’ll try to squeeze into my suitcase at the end if there is space, is a Theracane. Sometimes a back can get sore playing music a lot or sleeping in a different place every night and this has helped me to be able to work those playing knots out after the show.

Photo credit: J.Mimna Photography

Gig Bag: Dirty Mae

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Dirty Mae detail the items they always have nearby when out on the road.

A GOOD PACKING PLAN: Having a good packing plan is essential. Know what you’re taking. Lay it all out and cut down wherever you can. We each took one small suitcase/bag and still all felt that we overpacked. With laundry machines everywhere these days, we really only needed 2-3 changes of clothes.

We also highly recommend hard cases. We learned the “hard way” (pun intended) as when stacking gear, it helps to not have to worry about things getting damaged. We have some hard cases, but if everything was in a hard case (including mics, cables & keyboard), nothing would get damaged.

A ROOF RACK: It saves so much space and is great for storing items you don’t need or use every day. However, it’s still easily accessible anytime. We keep sleeping bags, winter coats, air mattresses, and extra merch up there.

AIR MATTRESSES, SLEEPING BAGS, & DAY BAGS: We invested in a high-quality air mattress and it’s turned out to be better than some beds we’ve stayed on. Plus it folds up small. A sleeping bag is even easier because, well, you can sleep anywhere. No sheets or blankets needed. For short overnight trips, we find having a small day bag with essentials and clothes for the next day is way easier than hauling a heavy bag or suitcase to every stop.

EYE MASK, HEADPHONES/EARPLUGS, & PHONE CHARGER: These are key for sleep while in the van or sleeping in noisy places. Plus you can never have enough phone chargers on the road. They always go missing, so I keep one in the car and one in my day bag.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE & COFFEE MUG: Some water bottles work as both. Those are best. Then you have two-in-one. A good water bottle helps save the planet, save money, and is easy to refill at every stop.

 

Lobster Bake in Maine

 

Polish Feast in Vermont

 

Crabs in Maryland

SAYING YES TO HOME COOKED MEALS: It may seem obvious, but we feel that a tour essential is having a good meal with friends and family (or strangers) wherever possible. Many people offer to cook for us, so as a rule, we always say yes. A home-cooked meal goes a long way. It balances us, grounds us, and it’s just delicious (and free).

CO-PILOT & BACKUP DRIVER: Tours are exhausting. It’s also easy to get excited and take on too much driving. We try to trade off so we can stay rested and safe on the road. A co-pilot helps keep the pilot on point and safe and is a good backup for late nights when you may need a designated driver. We take turns on that.

EXTRA GUITAR PICKS: Because you always lose them. Ben keeps them in every pocket.

EXERCISE: Working out on the road. Kettlebells. Yoga. Staying fit and flexible helps keep our bodies intact, our minds functioning, and our overall morale and performances higher.

RELAXATION & DAYS OFF: Days off are key to decompression and rejuvenation, but also connecting to nature, relaxing, or meditating whenever possible is very restorative and soothing.

SETUP TO PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN: Robbie, our guitarist, likes to practice and write when alone so headphones, an interface for his laptop, and a small keyboard or electric guitar allow him the time and quiet to practice on his own — and he doesn’t bother other people either.

Cory, our drummer, has a skeleton drum kit that’s easy to take on the road. It’s simple and can be set up easily at venues that don’t have a backline. He also has a practice pad and metal sticks to help exercise his drum muscles and sharpen his skills during downtime.

Photo credit: Shaun Mader

Gig Bag: Pieta Brown

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Pieta Brown shows us what she’s gotta have on the road.

Queen of the road! This guitar goes to all the gigs! It arrived on my doorstep as a gift one day; it’s full of songs. I wish could have many lifetimes to play it.

This beautiful handmade slide is always in my bag. Another gift! Given to me by one of my all-time favorite slide players, Bo Ramsey. I love playing slide and this one works great for me with acoustic or electric guitars.

Another gift from a friend, and my favorite strap. Handmade by Calleen Cordero.

Gold and sparkly capo. And my lucky all-purpose bandanna. My dad always had bandannas around… and often wore them (and often still does!) so they make me think of him.

I always seem to have a few extras. This new penny whistle is gonna see some miles. Hair clip. Incense from my friend Kelly. A feather and a Love Rock (both found on walks) for good luck.

Photo of Pieta Brown: Hannah Ray

Gig Bag: Tulsa Revue

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, John Fullbright, Jesse Aycock, Paul Benjaman, and Jacob Tovar from the Tulsa Revue tour show us what they gotta have on the road.

My two road essentials are a black shoe polish kit and a set of dominoes. The boot polish is a pre-show ritual and the dominoes are for post-show hotel gaming. — John Fullbright

Grip strength rings keep fingers fit on the road, and they don’t squeak like the old ’70s spring styles. And extra shades for handling any stage light or social situation. — Paul Benjaman

Ralph’s Mexican Bandits beef jerky is one of the best out there (along with No Man’s Land) and it’s a great snack any time of the day. I can’t leave home for tour without a cowboy hat. The time of season or situation determines which one (straw for summer or sun, and felt for Labor Day to May or cold weather). Hat box is a must. — Jacob Tovar

My Nikon D3100 is always nice to have by my side. You see so much interesting stuff on the road and often find yourself in the strangest of places. Its also a great way to kill time and have a moment to yourself. I like to keep a small bag with a notepad to write in and a book to read. Right now I’m reading Mr. Tambourine Man, the story of Gene Clark. — Jesse Aycock

My Fred Kelly thumb picks are essential for both lap steel and guitar. It’s been part of the way I play for so long that it’s almost become like jewelry. — Jesse Aycock

TOUR DATES
Sept. 26: Dallas, Texas (The Kessler Theater)
Sept. 27: Austin, Texas (04 Center)
Sept. 28: Fort Worth, Texas (The Post at River East)*
Oct. 18: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Soul City)
Oct. 21: Little Rock, Arkansas (White Water Tavern)
Oct. 23: Decatur, Georgia (Eddie’s Attic)
Oct. 25: Asheville, North Carolina (Isis Music Hall)
Oct. 26: Nashville, Tennessee (The 5 Spot)
Oct. 27: Memphis, Tennessee (The Green Room)
*John Fullbright is not on this show.

Photo of Tulsa Revue lineup: Greg Bollinger
(L-R): Jacob Tovar, John Fullbright, Paul Benjamin, Jesse Aycock

Gig Bag: David Wax Museum

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, David Wax Museum details the items they always have nearby when out on the road.

Sardines: We couldn’t live without sardines. They have been our go-to protein-rich road snack. Skinless boneless is our preference. We like them in water or oil. Even our kids love them. We once played a show in DC where the hosts had made mac ‘n’ cheese for our daughter who was 3 at the time. She said, “I love mac ‘n’ cheese but only with sardines. Do you have any sardines?” To her dismay, they did not. I’ve been known to arrive at a venue and sit on the curb outside the van and eat a can before sound check. And we’re often found in our hotel room bathroom late at night munching on ‘dines before bed.

Journals: Documenting our life has been so important to me. In addition to my big black journal, I’ve got this page a day journal that allows me to write just a short few lines every day, starting with where we are. I’ve kept it up for eight years now. Here are a few examples of entries:

June 2, 2013 Nelsonville, OH — What a festival! After an all-night drive from Nashville we played in a beautiful old one-room schoolhouse and sold the most merch of any band. Watched John Prine and Tift Merritt from backstage.

June 21, 2013 Nome, Alaska — Early radio visits. A trip to the tundra. Gorgeous streams. Mosquitos like you’ve never seen. Ate my first moose (delicious!), caribou (gamey), and king crab (yum!). Found musk ox fur stuck to bushes and learned it’s eight times warmer than wool.

February 25, 2017 Lancaster, PA — Long drive. Calliope woke too early and was a pill, mean to the road nanny. I slept for two hours from 8-10pm then played our last show of this pregnancy which started at midnight! Downstairs there was a bowling alley, so we bowled.

June 2, 2018 Portland, ME — Short drive, just a few hours to Joanna’s nest. Food. Rest. Showers. Playground time. Videographer came to film the show. Felt ok. Small-ish crowd. Hard one for me to get into.

June 2, 2017 Brooklyn, NY — Amazing, beautiful night. Juliette’s feast. A backyard in lights. Children’s faces peeking through the windows. Baby Moses through the upstairs glass. A little dog. Sangria. Bells of the ice cream truck.

Yoga mats: David is pretty religious about stretching every night on the road. We roll them out between the hotel beds and the popup baby crib and do our stretching. David’s got a routine he likes to do to keep his back strong and nimble. I love a good sun salutation sequence or moon salutation if it’s after dark.

Baby gear: Since 2013 we’ve been traveling with one or two kids on the road. The most important tool for us after diapers and a bottle is the Ergo baby carrier. That thing has traveled with us all around the country as well as to many countries abroad. We’ve toted both kids in it through the streets of Europe, around festivals and on our backs during sound checks. We really couldn’t live without it. Ours has been patched up and had the buckles replaced but is still going strong. A bottle brush is also a must, once kids stop nursing and use a bottle. You might be surprised that neither hotels nor venues have them available.

Hat and boots: David has been wearing his Stetson since we were in Texas for SXSW in 2015 and we bought these cowboy boots somewhere on the road years ago. I found these old fringe ankle boots at a “stoop sale” in Brooklyn for five bucks. The zippers were broken and one of the soles of the heels recently fell off, but that makes for better stomping (left foot is bass, right foot is treble) so I don’t mind.

Photo credit: Vivian Wang

Gig Bag: Jeremie Albino

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Jeremie Albino details the items he always has nearby when out on the road.

I’ve always got a notebook for writing down some tunes and a harmonica to play some tunes. I’ve got a deck of cards just for fun. I like to play Hearts or Slap Jack. Ever since I was a Boy Scout I’ve always loved tying knots, so I always keep a piece of rope to keep my hands busy and tie some knots when I need to pass the time.

My Leatherman is always in my back pocket … the most handy tool I’ve ever owned. I used to use it a lot for irrigation back on the farm. But mostly I use the knife for cutting up salami or cheddar in the van while we’re on the road. The pliers are always handy to grip things or hammer when they’re stuck, and then there’s a screwdriver which is always just good to have. Then I have a bandana if I ever need to blow my nose, ha ha.

My favourite jacket to keep me warm (and sometimes roll into a ball and use it as a pillow) and a hat to keep the sun out of my face.

My Nalgene. Feels like I drink about 20 of these a day, ha ha … I like to stay hydrated. And my Pentax Super ME so I feel like Peter Parker whenever I’m out and about shooting.

And finally, I always carry a pair of long johns. I probably wear these for more than half the year, and a pair of Smartwool socks. I guess I like to stay cozy. Then I’ve got a headlamp for when the power goes out or if I’ve got to camp out anywhere.

There ya go! All the things I lug around with me on the roads 🙂

 

Gig Bag: Andrew Bird

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, BGS Artist of the Month alum Andrew Bird walks us through a few of the items he has at the ready when out on the road in a “Case Study” video from UMUSIC Experience.

Photo credit: Amanda Demme
Video shot and edited by Nick Elwell and directed by Wes Davenport, UMUSIC Experience

Gig Bag: Driftwood

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, the band Driftwood details the items that are always when out on the road.

Monster Cable: We can’t possibly be the only folks riding around without a CD player or Bluetooth stereo can we?! Sometimes it’s nice to sit in silence and just think about how your life is mostly driving and some playing, but other times you just need some damn tunes, some inspiration! Our monster cable is the music lifeline! That’s not to say we don’t love the radio but you’ve just gotta hear some Dylan.

Tiffins: These precious little food containers get a lot of attention and questioning glances on the road but they’re so handy! They’re eco and wallet friendly. We’re always packing them up with extra food provided backstage and offered to us by all the fine folks we stay with.

Klean Kanteens: Big shout-out to Klean Kanteen for supplying us with coffee mugs, water jugs and metal straws! Again, saving money and saving the planet! Join us in this most important cause.

Guitar-ulele: We’ve written countless songs on this sweet little instrument sold to us for $40 in Nashville by one of our buddies. We’ve gotten more mileage out of this thing than we ever imagined we would. It’s quiet enough to be unobtrusive to others in a tight space, small enough to be tucked away easily and just the right amount out of tune.

Seymour Butts: Brought into the vehicle by Joey, Seymour provides endless entertainment in traffic. Basically, he attaches to the window and moons people 😉 What can we say? Sometimes all this driving and lack of sleep makes a band pretty loopy…


Shield: A homemade gift from a wonderful fan in Washington D.C.! There’s no great story behind the shield but it certainly makes us feel safe and loved.

Hogan’s Feather: The feather belonged to a 50-something-year-old parrot named Hogan. When we embarked on our first big cross-country tour, we stayed with Hogan’s “dad” in Austin, Texas. The feather stays tied around the rearview mirror and is a reminder of that first big trip.

Photo credit of Driftwood: Jacklyn Dyer

Gig Bag: Mary Bragg

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Mary Bragg details the items she always has nearby when out on the road.

For me, there’s not a much better morning on tour than one that immediately starts with a good cup of coffee. My travel French press means all I have to locate is hot water; I bring my own beans, and voila, caffeine moments begin — usually paired with my journal full of scribbles, free-writing, and loads of to-do lists.

The tiny journal that fits in any bag. I carry one with me all the time — at home and on the road, in case something interesting falls out of the sky. And a Sharpie, too, both for writing and the emergency CD-signing.

My sweet travel jewelry box that makes me feel at home, carved with a little inspiration from the one and only Eleanor Roosevelt.

A whole host of my favorite print media for moments when I can sneak in a little quality journalism. (Ahem, journalism major here.)

The trustiest road snack: homemade granola. Schedules can be pretty wacky on tour, and you never know when you’re going to need a solid protein boost. Granola does the trick for me, on its own or with yogurt; I make it at home all the time and keep a stash in the car, especially for moments when I’m unexpectedly hungry and in the middle of nowhere.



Photo credit: Laura E. Partain

Gig Bag: Maggie Rose

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, singer/songwriter Maggie Rose gives us a glimpse at the staple items she always has at the ready while out on the road. 

With my new album Change The Whole Thing, I wanted to capture all the elements of my live shows that my fans are drawn to, so we simply recreated that energy in the studio. I assembled a band made up of a bunch of my talented friends and touring bandmates and we tracked the album live in the studio in one take. It turned out that together, we created this special blend of soul, roots, funk and Ppop music that we love playing and is authentic to us. I’m so thankful that I get to bring that same energy out on the road on Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning of Life Tour and on my own headlining Change The Whole Thing Tour with an ensemble made up of the same people with whom I made this record. I’ve never felt more in love with the music or the people I’m making it with than I do now.

My UE 18+ in-ear monitors with Swarovski crystal detail (as seen above) sound phenomenal. Even when I am offstage and listening to different records, they provide a listening experience that is pretty stellar. I have been using various models of these in-ears over the years and they protect my hearing onstage while letting me hear everything in the mix.

I love these Dannijo earrings. My mother-in-law gave them to me for Christmas one year and I wear them all the time. They have this beautiful, vintage western vibe that goes with almost everything I wear and they provide enough drama and movement without being distracting onstage.

My trusty Tumi suitcase (sparkles not included). It was a wedding present we received a few years ago and I’ve put it through the ringer and it still gets the job done. I’ve seen it thrown onto the belt with impressive force so many times in all sorts of weather and it hasn’t failed me yet.

My pearl white Gibson J-200 goes with me most everywhere. She looks and sounds beautiful and has only improved in both arenas with age. I always loved watching Emmylou play her model of this guitar over the years because the body is a little bigger than most, especially for someone of her stature, but she always has had such a command over it, so I am trying to live up to that standard.

My American Apparel disco pants. Without fail, these babies make any outfit pop, even when paired with a vintage tee shirt. They are super sleek with a high rise waist. I’ll admit I have them in multiple colors and I’ve even had my stylist customize a few pairs for me to make them a little unique.

Finally, there is my vintage Levi’s red label denim jacket. If you ever see me in the airport I’ll probably be wearing it. I like the Canadian tuxedo look so I truly wear it with anything. It has a nice convenient pocket on the inside for easy access to my phone and passport. It always looks classic.

All photos courtesy of Maggie Rose