 Courtesy of the Artist Mixing raw experience with sorrow and joy, the debut, self-titled Haymakers' album is a refreshing blend of rustic chords swept over burley bass arrangements which nod to simpler, yesteryear traditions. The eleven song project gets the Haymakers’ - Dustin Arbuckle (vocals, harmonica), Ted Farha (mandolin, vocals), Dr. Mark Foley (upright bass, vocals), Thomas Page (guitar, vocals) and Dennis Hardin (stringed instruments, vocals) - treatment as they color their songs with country, folk, and blues. Here members Dustin and Tom answer their Essential 8 where they talk about songwriting, their "go-to" foods and records on the road, dream venues, and much more! When/where do you do your best writing? Dustin: Probably on a nice afternoon, sitting on the front porch of my house. It always seems to be a place where I can get into the right head space. Tom: Late at night at my studio space or sometimes on long drives. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? Dustin: It's a combination of things for me. I think in most songs I'm just trying to tell a good story, and that can be my story, a friend's, or something I imagine based off of the mental imagery that the music evokes. Tom: I once wrote almost exclusively about person experience but anymore I just try to create a good story whatever combination that takes. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Dustin: If you think you want to do this for a living, I honestly believe it has to be the sort of thing that you can't live without because it's probably not worth it otherwise. It can be a really tough life in a lot of ways, and very few people get to the point of being a rich and famous rock star. You can pay the bills as a low to mid level touring artist, but by and large the reward has to be the music itself and the satisfaction of getting to do something that you really love as your job. If that isn't enough for you, I wouldn't pursue music as a full time career. Tom: Put in some time every day if possible and don't let a day off stop you from picking it up the next day. What’s your favorite/”go-to” food on the road? Dustin: If there is some specific local or regional staple food in the area we are touring (seafood on the coast, cajun food in Louisiana, etc), I always try to go for that when I can. Otherwise, Thai or Vietnamese food are my go-tos. Tom: I like spicy food and we don't have good Indian restaurants where we are from so I try to get curry and such as much as possible. Day to day sandwiches, fruit, and coffee. What are your “must have” albums for the road?
Dustin: "Warpaint" by the Black Crowes, "Bound to Ride" by Ralph Stanley, "The Muddy Waters Chess Box" by Muddy Waters, "The Harrow and The Harvest" by Gillian Welch Tom: Streaming has really changed things but I have a few backups - Jimmy Cliff "Live", Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers", Bob Dylan "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Soundtrack", Blue Oyster Cult "Some Enchanted Evening", Gil Evans Orchestra "Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix", Etta James "Live in San Francisco" What’s your dream venue and why? Dustin: Red Rocks Amphitheatre. I've only been lucky enough to catch one concert there, but it was the most amazing setting I've ever seen for a live show. The vibe of the place is simply magical. Tom: Walnut Valley Festival Stage 1, so many great artists have influenced me from this platform. I would be honored to join their ranks. Who would you love to collaborate with? Dustin: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. I don't think there is anyone else in the modern roots music scene whose music moves me more. Their music feels traditional and new at the same time. It's timeless. Their songwriting is transcendent. Just getting to work with them and try to absorb some of that would be such a privilege. Tom: T-Bone Burnett. I enjoy many albums he has produced and wonder what his take on my approach would be. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative? Dustin: I think it depends on the person. I stopped drinking at gigs several years ago because it's too hard on my voice and I don't want to compromise the quality of my performance. I totally get that catching a buzz while you play is a lot of fun and I don't have a problem with anybody indulging in various substances if it doesn't negatively impact their playing or attitude, but I think it's a good rule for anybody to keep it pretty light until after the show. If you can't do that, better to leave it alone. Tom: Depends on how much and where. When audiences drink a little it can lead to a general vibe of fun. Website/Facebook
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