Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
I think roots rock is an apt description of what we're trying to pull off.
Who are your musical influences and idols?
I'll leave it at one: Levon Helm.
What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
Green Day's International Superhits, although that was my mom's money. "Poprocks & Coke" is still one of my mix tape staples.
Tell us about the video for "Tracks," a lively tour through Wisconsin. How long did it take to shoot the video? Is that your rehearsal space in the video? How much money did you win at the truck stop?
I play that same quarter game every time I drive home. I have never came out on top. Good thing I don't make enough money to go to a casino. The video took two sleep-deprived and chili-fueled days. That is our rehearsal space, and it also doubles as a laundry room.
You seemed to have an awesome SXSW: you met Dave Grohl, played several showcases, and were even joined onstage by Jakob Dylan and Charlie Sexton. What was the highlight? Did you get to catch any bands playing around town?
I have to say eating Tamale House breakfast tacos was a highlight. We're very passionate about eating. I must have eaten about thirty tacos the few days we were down there. We all fell hard for this band called Lux Deluxe that was playing in Tamale House's parking lot. Also, Chris Shiflett from the Foo Fighters has a new country band called the Dead Peasants that kicked ass. Tanner and Graham from the Shades saw the Zombies and were raving about that.
You guys are from Ellsworth, WI, the Cheese Curd Capital of the World. What is cheese curd? Is it any good? Any how long until Ellsworth, WI is more well known as the birthplace of Trapper Schoepp?
The texture of cheese curds is kind of like Silly Putty, but I can confirm that they taste much better. I was actually born in Red Wing, Minnesota. Bob Dylan has a great song called "Walls Of Red Wing" about the juvenile facility there that I would recommend.
You're the opening act of a music festival. You can get any five artists, living or dead, to perform on the bill with you. Which five do you choose and what song do you all perform as the final jam?
The Band, Sam Cooke, Santo & Johnny, Bruce Springsteen, and Joe Strummer. We'd have to close with "The Weight," right?
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