ON THE ROAD...
As San Francisco based band Thao with the Get Down Stay Down embark on a tour in support of their latest release, Know Better Learn Faster, we decided to hit up front woman, Thao Nguyen, with a few questions about the touring life. She had a few things to say about produce, square dances, St. Louis… and more produce.
--Erika Clarke
What was the first concert you attended?
A square dance with a live band at the county fair.
What are you looking forward to the most on this tour?
People clapping, and stomping along with us. Plus beating on drums whenever I can find a stick.
What do you love about touring?
Nice hotel rooms. (Priceline)
What do you hate about touring?
Not being able to find fresh produce.
What can you NOT live without on tour?
Hot water for tea.
What pre-performance rituals do you have?
We gather in a circle and stomp and clap and chant and stretch our tired limbs.
What person/group would you love to tour with?
A vegetable farmer with a movable patch.
Give me your best Hammer of the Gods/Led Zeppelin/debauchery on the road story.
It’s murky, probably something with too much drinking and too much regret. Sorry, I have to stay quiet about such things out of respect for myself.
No worries. How about any horror stories from the road?
Adam (Thompson, bassist) woke up with his leg in bloody fecal matter (not his!) at a Super 8 in the Midwest.
What is the best thing/meal/person/et al. you¹ve discovered while touring?
Revival—A restaurant in St. Louis with their own garden in the back.
What advice would you give to an artist embarking on their first tour?
Seriously, you should take Vitamin C everyday.
What would be the greatest thing to overhear a concertgoer say after seeing you live?
“When do they come back?!”
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down’s Know Better Learn Faster is out now on Kill Rock Stars.
Photo: Tarina Westlund
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down Myspace
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down Tour Dates
10.18: San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival
10.21: Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
10.22: Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
10.23: Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cafe
10.24: Spokane, WA - Empyrean Coffee
10.27: Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
10.28: Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
10.29: Urbana, IL - The Canopy Club
10.30: Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
10:31: Detroit, MI - The Cafe at the Majestic Theater
11.01: Toronto, ON - El Mocambo
11.02: Montreal, QC - El Motore
11.03: Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
11.04: New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
11.05: Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
11.06: Washington, DC - Black Cat
11.07: Richmond, VA - The Canal Club Downstairs Lounge
11.09: Atlanta, GA - Earl
11.11: Houston, TX - The Studio at Warehouse Live
11.12: Austin, TX - Mohawk
11.13: Fort Worth, TX - Lola’s
11.14: Lubbock, TX - Jake’s
11.17: Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
11.18: Tucson, AZ - Plush
11.19: San Diego, CA - Casbah
11.20: Pomona, CA - The Glass House
