Sonicbids Blog - Music Career Advice and Gigs

Interview with Bonnaroo Alumni: The Band of Heathens

Written by Tess Cychosz | Mar 8, 2012 11:33 PM


I know all eyes are on Austin right now, but sooner than you think, we're going to be looking at 700 beautiful acres of Tennessee land, hosting some of the world's best international talent. Yup, I'm talking the one and only Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Sonicbids and Bonnaroo have teamed up once again to give 10 bands the chance to perform at the summer's hottest (figuratively and literally) festival. To gear up, I checked in with The Band of Heathens - one of the awesome bands that got their Bonnaroo gig on Sonicbids last year. Read on to hear a bit about this Austin-based Rock group, and click here to submit your band for Bonnaroo. 

For those who may not be familiar, give a little more background on the band. When did you guys first start playing music together?

The band has been together about 6 years.  It really came together as an experiment and an opportunity to jam and have fun as a musical collective.  Over time, the sound and mission of the band has morphed, but I think we've been able to retain a lot of the musical spirit and drive that got us started.

Any standout memories or experiences from playing Bonnaroo 2011?

Playing the festival was really a blast, it's one of the best musical gatherings anywhere in the world.  Watching the sunrise on Friday Morning from the roof of our van was quite a trip.

Are there any tips you would offer to bands who are applying to play this year?

Drink a lot of water.

What's been going on with you guys these days? Any new releases, videos or tours we should be on the look out for?

We just released a double live CD/DVD that we recorded in Denver, Colorado last year.  It's called the Double Down, live from Denver. It's a really good representation of the band in a live setting, which is really where we've earned our stripes.

Check out a video of the band playing live, and visit www.bandofheathens.com for free music and more.