In this striking and thoughtful collection, musician Alex Bleeker (Real Estate) and food and travel journalist Luke Pyenson (formerly Frankie Cosmos) take readers on tour with a diverse lineup of inspiring indie musicians from around the world, sharing meals and travel experiences, peeking behind the curtain at this singular and singularly misunderstood way of life. Through original essays and engaging conversations with dozens of indie musicians representing several subgenres, scenes, and eras, food takes center stage in stories about being on tour and eating on tour, and how this basic human necessity can create a sense of community and interconnectedness in one of the most mobile industries in the world. Essays and conversations are based broadly on the subject of eating on tour, and while each spins off into their own focused and exciting behind-the-scenes story, all confirm what Pyenson and Bleeker suspected all along--food looms large in the lives of touring musicians, and it can be used as a gateway into understanding what going on tour is really like.
In addition to wide-angle meditations about eating on tour, Pyenson and Bleeker have gathered stories that take place on six continents, in private homes and street-side stalls. In temples of fine dining and in actual temples. Backstage and in the van. Early morning and late at night. Stories that deal with the best parts of touring: meaningful cultural exchange, hospitality-induced euphoria, the opportunity to build relationships around the world. And the worst parts of touring: loneliness, exhaustion, estrangement from family and friends, struggles with disordered eating and unsteady access to medical care.
So the question isn't "How was tour?" It's "What do you eat on tour?" These conversations and essays, like the best songs or meals, evoke something central about the human experience. They show us all the ways that music and food bring us together, break us down, lift us up, and add color to our lives.
Features essays from and conversations with:
- Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes)
- Chris Frantz (Talking Heads)
- Natalie Mering (Weyes Blood)
- Mark Ibold (Pavement)
- Bob Mould (H sker D )
- Brian "Geologist" Weitz (Animal Collective)
- Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso)
- John Gourley (Portugal. The Man)
- Dawn Richard
- Sasami Ashworth (SASAMI)
- Devendra Banhart
- Greta Kline (Frankie Cosmos)
- Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz)
- And more
NOTABLE, WELL-CONNECTED AUTHORS: With over twenty years of experience in the music industry, Alex Bleeker and Luke Pyenson are your perfect guides into the world of touring. Having toured with their own bands--Real Estate and Frankie Cosmos, respectively--they're asking all the right questions, shedding light and understanding into the lives of touring musicians and the people feeding them.
WIDE-RANGING INTERVIEWS: With interviews and essays from about forty different musicians, chefs, and promoters--ranging from Chris Frantz from Talking Heads to boygenius's private chef Lily Chait --not only is it a treasure trove of knowledge and insider information, there's something for foodies and music enthusiasts alike.
TRAVEL FROM HOME: Go behind the curtain all around the world, from America to Russia, Japan to Italy, and dozens of places in between. Read about your favorite musician's experiences abroad, all from the comfort of your home.
- Musicians of all levels
- Fans of indie music and the musicians featured
- Foodies
- Cooks, chefs, restaurant owners
- Hipsters
- Those interested in the music business
- Travel enthusiasts
- Readers who liked Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (NYT article and book), Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad, and Mixtape Potluck Cookbook by Questlove
