 Courtesy of the Artist Colorado singer-songwriter Dave Tamkin recently released his new album, Live at eTOWN, a seven-song collection that showcases his unique rhythmic-acoustic style and unabashedly honest lyrics in a space where he performs best: a live setting. Ahead of a busy November, Tamkin kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8 where he spoke about the album, offer up some touring tips, let us in on his favorite audio books, discuss failure as success, and more. Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did? I wasn’t aware that this Live at eTown EP was being recorded at the time of the performance. A friend told me later that eTown records all their shows. So out of the 10 + songs I performed that night, these 7 songs were the ones I was most proud of. I was able to introduce a new song while rounding out songs from the last two releases. I felt good on stage that night and the audience supported me with every song. I’m proud of the performance and wanted to share it. I hope people can feel like they were right there when they listen to it and connect with the songs. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? “Slow down and I can’t understand what you’re saying.” It’s two things that multiple musicians have told me over the years. Ha! When I was living in Chicago the music I played was always competing against a bar audience. Yes, they were there to support us and have a great time but it wasn’t so much about the songs as it was about the groove and getting people into the party atmosphere. That could have been self-imposed but it’s what influenced me a lot. Play fast and ask questions later. As my surroundings changed in Colorado, I met more songwriters that played at venues that allowed a pin drop to be heard between verses and choruses. The listening audiences influenced me to be clear with my lyrics and to slow down. Hopefully it’s made me a better songwriter. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Never stop creating or learning how to be better at your art. Play something new every day. Sing something new every day. Learn your favorite songs. Take time to journal when you are not playing or singing. If you never stop learning and creating, your ego won't have time to take over.  How do you kill the long hours in the van?
Audio books and Podcasts like it’s my job! Autobiographies, Biographies, Freakonomics, Tim Ferris, Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art (Listen to it often) I tried to stay inspired by learning new shit and it also gives me ideas for stories in between songs when I get to the next town. Do you have any touring tips? 1.Fuel up when your gas tank is half empty. 2.Use a credit card when you stop for gas for two reasons: a. Credit Card Points b. If anything bad ever happens they can track your last stop 3.Have emergency food, water and a blanket in the van. 4.Download all audio books, playlists and podcasts before leaving so if you lose service you’re good to go. 5.Use a hotel app to get the best deals and points. 6.Give you yourself enough time to arrive at the gig early. 7.Buy postcards in different towns and send them to the venues you just played, thanking them for the opportunity to play music in their house. 8.Don’t eat shitty food. You need more nutrients than you think to stay healthy while traveling. 9.Try to sleep when ever you can. Don’t have one more beer if it means you get an extra hour of sleep. 10.Be present and grateful you have the opportunity to: a.Be able to play music b.Play music in front of people that are paying money that they worked for to hear you play music What has been your biggest success? My biggest success has been my biggest failure. I got comfortable in my music career 10+ years ago and stopped creating. I was playing a ton of shows and traveling all over the United States. I was successful in the college market while also opening up for musicians that I admired and inspired me. Somewhere in there I leaned back on my accomplishments and stopped writing new songs or pushing to go after the next gig. 10 years later I appreciate things differently. I realized that the end point of all that I did early was not money, notoriety or larger audiences. It was the process and the journey and the thick of it all. I was already doing what I loved most about all of it. The fact that I’m still able to play, release new music and tour is amazing to me and I couldn’t be more grateful for the audiences that I get to share it with. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative? Depends on how much you drink! :) Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off? From 2017 – 2027 I will have released something new every year. It’s my professional “bucket list” to start writing and creating art like I never have before and ship it. If you don't "ship it" or "release it" your art lives in a vacuum. If you care about what the critiques say, you're losing out on the process. I want to show up for myself each day and honor that promise without compromise. Jimmy Iovine said “When you’re a race horse, the reason they put blinders on these things is because if you look at the horse on the left or the right, you’re going to miss a step. That’s why the horses have blinders on. And that’s what people should have. When you’re running after something, you should not look left or right — what does this person think, what does that person think? No. Go.” You can pick up your free copy HERE. For more information visit www.davetamkin.com Tour Dates November 1, 2018: Gillies Bar - Kearney, NE November 2, 2018: Mason City Brewing, Mason City, IA November 3, 2018: House Concert - Des Moines, IA November 7, 2018: Triple Crown Whiskey Bar - Davenport, IA November 8, 2018: The Law Office Pub & Music Hall - Yorkville, IL November 9, 2018: North Bar - Chicago, IL November 10, 2018: Sofar Sounds - Chicago, IL November 11, 2018: Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. - Milwaukee, WI November 14, 2018: Arlington Ale House - Arlington Heights, IL November 15, 2018: Iowa City Yacht Club - Iowa City, IA November 16, 2018: Lincoln Wine Bar - Mt. Vernon, IA November 17, 2018: The Octopus - Cedar Falls, IA November 29, 2018: The Magic Rat - Fort Collins, IA
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