The Traveling Suitcase bleeds rock ‘n’ roll in its truest and most honest form. Booked for their first time at Mid West Music Fest, you have the chance to witness the Oshkosh based sonic beast at Ed’s (no name) Bar on Friday. No-frills rock that puts up a wall of sound, the current three-piece draws from the classics while letting their own bits do the breaking.
The Interview Part:
I get compared to Janis, Adele & Heartless Bastards. Sometimes I get pop stars like Blondie or the occasional Meg White. I’m honored anytime someone listens to us. So putting thought into telling me I sound like someone they really enjoy is so thoughtful.
Your team rocks, flat out. You list some rock staples like The Doors, Zep’, and My Morning Jacket as influences, but what did you each grow up on? What are you listening to now that you’re packing in your ears when you step into practice?
A lot of Beatles, zeppelin, & Nicole was obsessed with Incubus. We all have a variety of influence. When we aren’t on the road which is rare we patch work the ideas we’ve been tossing around. We don’t focus on “sound”, we focus on giving each member their own version on sections throughout our songs.
In an interview with Kevin Bowe a few months ago, he described the 3-piece band format as a “fascinating limitation” compared to larger ensembles. Thoughts? What’s your experience with other groups?
This project had once upwards of 7 members. Through touring, Time & growth, our version of Rock & Roll is ” Less is More”.
Do any of you sports? If so, which sports do you prefer sportsing, whether spectating or playing?
Bill plays softball, Brandon has a treadmill in his apt. Nicole plays sports in bed & on her PS2.
Who is Nate Ewing? How do you know him? What should we know about him?
Nate is the man & legend. We celebrate that Friday. Honorably.
A little ostrich told me that you are playing Mid West Music Fest 2015. Is this true? What does your destiny hold for MWMF?
Indeed we are playing MWMF. Our destiny for that night of playing the fest is most likely local Pizza.
Pick a famous adult over 50 years old that you would have in your zombie survival crew.
Ian McKellen.
This is the weird and loaded hardball question, but I’m extremely curious. Do any of you get comments from fans or critics, whether endearing or demeaning, along the lines of, “You sound just like ___________!” because it’s one of the few female fronted rock outfits that they know, even though you may feel like you sound nothing like them, based on the context of a male dominated market and industry?
I get compared to Janis, Adele & Heartless Bastards. Sometimes I get pop stars like Blondie or the occasional Meg White. I’m honored anytime someone listens to us. So putting thought into telling me I sound like someone they really enjoy is so thoughtful.
After a show…pizza, Mexican, sandwich shop, or other?
Pizza, we are huge advocates of TMNT.
Have you ever played within three blocks of the Mississippi? How does/did it make you feel?
We love playing this area of the Midwest. It’s always a blessing to be invited back to a place we enjoy playing. We are excited to celebrate Nate Ewing’s birthday & play at Ed’s with The Ultrasounds as well 🙂
Upcoming Local Gigs:
Who: The Traveling Suitcase and The Ultrasounds When: Friday, January 30th, Doors at 9:30pm, music starts at 10pm. Where: Ed’s (no name) Bar How much: 5$ at the door.