When did you decide to make a career/focus of music?
Ed Jurdi, The Band of Heathens: I’m not sure I ever decided to make a career out of playing music. It’s something that I’ve always done and had a tremendous love and passion for. My goal was only to keep playing and writing music and fortunately I’ve been able to do so and our band has been a great vehicle for all of the members to take that trip.
James Marler, Rotary Downs: When I was in 9th grade, this stoner kid who lived next door showed me how to play the beginning of "Stairway to Heaven". Later I figured out "Love Will Tear Us Apart". I was ready for action after that.
Cristina Black: I want to say it was a bit of an accident. I wrote some songs out of heartbreak and people liked them. After some coaxing from friends, I recorded them. People liked the record, so I got a band together to play the songs live. I wrote more songs that people liked, and then I couldn't stop. I was just IN it. That was 2009.
What do you hope listeners will get from your music?
Ed Jurdi, The Band of Heathens: I hope our music moves them and speaks to them in a soulful way, in the end we’re making music that we love and we hope that there is that special transfer of energy between the music and the listener.
Cristina Black: A super catchy head-loop that plays over and over in their heads all day long! No, I want them to be moved in some way, whether it's a chuckle or chills or a grimace. I want them to hear my lyrics and think, yeah, that's so true.
What have you done to prepare for your set at Bonnaroo?
Ed Jurdi, The Band of Heathens: We’ll make sure to have a meeting before the show to get in the proper headspace.
James Marler, Rotary Downs: Push-ups, sit-ups, some stretching, lots of yelling, fake apologizing, then yelling some more.
Cristina Black: I wrote a song about the Tennessee flood of 2010 ("A Certain Mood") and how taking on too much water is like having your heart broken, just totally overwhelming, devastating. I also have a song about the flood caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 ("Purple Houses"). Floods are my thing. They're so biblical.
What are some essentials you bring with you when traveling to a gig or on tour?
Ed Jurdi, The Band of Heathens: We always bring our instruments, incense and a fly swatter; you never know when an insect problem can arise.
James Marler, Rotary Downs: Pants, lucky rooster lamp, whittling stick, El Jimador, extra pants.
Cristina Black: I have a checklist that quells that horrible feeling that I may have forgotten something: extra patch cords, tuner, set list, charts, CDs, etc. But then I also get pretty voodoo about it. I need my Michael Jackson pendant for courage and lavender oil to keep me calm. A good black frock is a must. I want to bewitch my audience.
What advice do you have for other artists looking to play large festivals like Bonnaroo?
Ed Jurdi, The Band of Heathens: The only advice I can ever share with anyone else is to play what you love and do it with soul and integrity and be true to your vision. Whether that lands you at a large festival or leads you to the bar, in the end that’s all you have to hang your hat on.
James Marler, Rotary Downs: Dress up like one of the headlining acts. Strut through security with an annoyed look on your face. Set up on your favorite stage and go for it!
Cristina Black: In a situation like that, it's easy to get distracted by what other acts are doing, kind of like a high school talent show. You think, am I good enough? That's natural, but of course your time is better spent making sure you bring it. Eminem is going to go onstage and be 100 percent himself. So should you.
Be sure to check out all of our Sonicbids artists on the Café Stage at Bonnaroo!
