The Tour Life with Janine Richards

In this episode of  The Tour Life , we sit down with Rene Villanueva, musician, writer, and member of the band Hacienda, to explore the crossroads of personal loss and professional success. Rene opens up about the sudden loss of his mother right before a major tour with Hacienda and the emotional toll it took on him and his brothers. Despite their growing success, including collaborations with Dan...

In this episode of  The Tour Life , we sit down with Bardo, an emcee whose music blends hip-hop, jazz, and global influences, shaped by his experiences growing up abroad. From living in Japan as a child to creating a distinctive sound in Chicago, Bardo shares how immersing himself in different cultures and languages has expanded his worldview and musical creativity. We discuss his creative journey...

In this episode of  The Tour Life , we chat with Chicago-based emcee, ShowYouSuck, an artist known for his unique approach to hip-hop and his collaborations with Air Credits, The Hood Internet, and more. ShowYouSuck shares his journey from growing up as a solo creative, discovering rap as his outlet, and ultimately finding success on his own terms. Along the way, he learned to navigate the challen...

In this episode of  The Tour Life , we sit down with Rich Jones, a Chicago-based MC known for his collaborations with Taylor Bennett, the Allies, and more. Rich shares stories from his music career, including how he was voted the second-best rapper in Chicago by the Chicago Reader in 2016, right behind Chance the Rapper. We dive into his creative process, life on the road, and the organic way he’s...

Jair Crews has worked with 21 Savage, JID, Dominic Fike, Brockhampton, Lil Mosey, and Kid Ink. In this episode, Jair shares his unique experiences, including his foundational work on a WWE production, which helped shape his efficient workflow. The discussion also delves into mental health, the importance of chasing dreams, and an amusing story about Jair trying an orange for the first time in Pert...

David 'Sarge' Villarreal has worked with Sabrina Carpenter, Alison Wonderland, Whyte Fang, SZA, Lizzo, Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar, and Ziggy Marley. We delve into his incredible journey from working in construction to becoming a key player in the music industry's security sector. We talk about the importance of building professional relationships, managing life on the road to avoid burnout, and the...

Rayna Zemel has worked with Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Pentatonix, The Lonely Island, and Keisza. In this episode, Rayna discusses her unexpected journey into the music industry, the mental health challenges associated with touring, and the significance of community. She shares personal anecdotes about handling high-stress situations, combating post-tour depression, and the importance of advocacy for...

Adam Labov has worked with The Linda Lindas, Rüfüs Du Sol, Nico Vega, Mini Mansions, The Record Company, The Growlers, Crash Kings, Crooked Colours and Princess. In this episode, Adam shares his journey in the music industry, the challenges he faced, including overcoming severe illness leading to a kidney transplant, and the immense support he received along the way. He also delves into his passio...

John Gaurnieri is Shinedown's Security Director, a former U.S. Secret Service member, and COO of Silver Spear Security. In this episode, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the music industry, his experiences touring during the pandemic, and the innovative measures taken to ensure safety at live events. Gaurnieri also shares insights into launching his podcast 'Spear Talk,' aimed at continuous le...

Nick Bataran has worked with Jenny Lewis, Gossip, The Kills, and Bruno Mars. Nick shares his journey through a severe medical condition involving his hand, delving into his terrifying and frustrating experience with radial nerve palsy. He also opens up about the challenges and learnings of living on the road, the complexities of creative work, and the importance of maintaining relationships and me...

Nathan Graham shares his experiences and lessons learned from years of touring with artists like Buddy Guy, BB King, Koko Taylor, and Yelawolf. Nathan talks about the highs and lows of touring, his stint on The Voice, and how he keeps himself healthy and sane on the road. Tune in to discover valuable insights on communication, work-life balance, and unexpected challenges faced by musicians. Chapte...

Kelly Appleton is a session and touring guitarist who has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Beth Ditto, Tricky, Nicola Roberts, and Craig David. Kelly shares her journey from the UK to the US, the challenges she faced in the music industry, and how she found community and opportunities in LA. They discuss her love for touring, the balance between work and personal life, and the i...

Marty Hom has worked with The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Barbra Streisand, Lenny Kravitz, Chicago, Paula Abdul, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Janet Jackson, and Beyonce. In this episode, Marty shares his journey through the music industry and discusses taking a leap of faith by leaving the family business to pursue a non-traditional path, how the industry can provide healthcare for touring professiona...

Macey Taylor has collaborated and toured with Conor Oberst, Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis, The Grenadines, Wilder Atkins, Maria Taylor, Jesse Marchant, and Amanda Shires. In this episode, Macey shares his journey through the music industry and discusses the challenges of touring, the importance of social dynamics, and maintaining personal well-being on the road. His valuable insights and personal exper...

Mary Jo Kaczka has worked with Beth Ditto, Tool, Florence + The Machine, Beck, Bassnectar, Ryan Adams, Bauhaus, King Crimson, and Kraftwerk, among many others. In this episode, Mary Jo shares her journey through the music industry and discusses personal growth, mental health, and navigating the unpredictable world of tour management, providing valuable insights and personal experiences that highli...

Adam Wayne is a touring and session bassist who has worked with Jenny Lewis, Greta Morgan, and members of bands like Family of Geniuses, Springtime Carnivore, and Hellogoodbye among others. In this episode, Adam shares his journey through the music industry and discusses the realities of life on the road, the importance of financial planning, and managing band dynamics. His insights and personal e...

Marc Walloch, is a musician who has toured with Beck, AWOLNATION, Walk The Moon, Juliette Lewis, and Company of Thieves. This episode dives deep into Marc's journey from the local Chicago music scene to international tours, revealing the realities of life as a touring musician. He shares personal stories of on-stage triumphs and the often overlooked challenges of returning to everyday life after m...

Rachel Pfenning Hales shares her journey from working with the Black Eyed Peas and Lynyrd Skynyrd to contributing to the live event culture as Experience Manager at Rock Lititz. We explore the hidden world of live event crew members and the roadmap to a fulfilling career on the road. Rachel discusses her book 'Tour Book', offering an in-depth view of a roadie's life which challenges common misconc...

Teddy Kwo is a proud trans man and talented bassist. In this episode, he shares his inspiring journey from a self-taught musician in the grassroots DIY scene of the Pacific Northwest to performing on international stages alongside Beth Ditto. We delve deep into the essential topic of safety protocols and the creation of inclusive spaces, especially in regions where being openly queer is challengin...

Jim Digby, the legendary tour manager behind Linkin Park, Backstreet Boys, and Enrique Iglesias, shares groundbreaking insights on creating a healthier, more supportive environment in the high-pressure world of music tours. Discover the transformative strategies and personal revelations that Jim has learned through decades of navigating the ups and downs of tour life. From fostering empathetic lea...

Chris Hershman's work has been published by NPR, The Grammys, Rolling Stone, Paste, and Consequence of Sound, among others. His stories of touring with bands straight out of high school, transitioning into filmmaking with a simple Nikon camera feature, and eventually becoming a Nikon Ambassador shed light on the power of persistence, creativity, and the importance of gratitude. From capturing live...

Step behind the scenes with GROUPLOVE touring audio engineer, Loreen Bohannon, whose work with artists such as Plain White T's, Lizzo, Kali Uchis, Anita Baker, Skip Marley, Dhani Harrison, Prettymuch, The Accidentals, and Michael Bolton has set the stage for a candid discussion on diversity, empowerment, and the challenges faced by minorities in the entertainment industry. Loreen, co-founder of th...