Over the past several years, Atlanta three-piece the Head have quietly emerged as one of the city’s most promising and hardest working bands. The group’s 2015 EP, Millipedes, earned them national accolades and exposed the trio to wider audiences who took a shine to the band’s smart balance of pop hooks and indie rock grit. As a result, the Head spent much of 2016 on the road, criss-crossing the country in what would eventually amount to a massive 107 date tour. You’d think that after spending a large part of a year confined to a van and living largely out of hotel rooms and the occasional living room floor, the group would be ready to take a break and catch their breath. But according to Jack Shaw, that’s hardly the case. We caught up with the Head drummer ahead of their headlining performance this Friday at 529 (their final show of the year) and talked about life on the road, their tour tips for emerging bands, and what’s ahead for the group in 2017 (spoiler: new music and more touring).
You spent a lot of 2016 on the road. How was that experience and how has it shaped the band as it currently stands?
The experience was incredible. We met a lot of great people in a lot of cool towns. The road has made us stronger and more in sync with one another — not just musically, but on every level, too. Instead of three individual people in a van, it’s more like a three-headed monster. We think and act together as one unit. For one thing, the road has made us hungry for constantly exploring new towns and meeting new fans. We’re home now for the holidays, but we’ll be back on the road in the spring where we’ll also be promoting our upcoming LP.
I think many artists, especially younger ones, romanticize life on the road. What are some of the struggles you’ve encountered while on tour?
We always try to keep our chin ups on the road, but I guess some of the struggles can include finding a working toilet, getting rejected from hotels that are already occupied, and finding a real substantial meal (or shower). There are days when we’re running on 2-4 hours of sleep, but we learn to get used to it.
So for young bands that are just getting their start and have booked their first significant tour, what are some tips you would offer to help avoid those struggles and make it the best experience possible?
Some of those struggles just come with the territory of being on the road regardless of how well “prepared” you may be. Those specific troubles are sometimes unavoidable. But other tips I would offer include: plan ahead, show up on time, and don’t live on the road like it’s some party or vacation. Booking your shows ahead of time gives you plenty of time to put together the right kind of bills. If an emergency happens, you have some wiggle room to move things around. More importantly, it also allows you plenty of time to promote the show and spread the word.
Showing up to load in on time makes for a much more seamless night—the sound guy is happy, the promoter happy—all of that translates to the overall show. You’ll get invited back.
And don’t be reckless. We’ve seen too many young bands drink and party themselves into comas each night because they think that’s what you’re supposed to do on the road. They spend more time trying to score their drug of the night instead of engaging with the eager (and cute) fans waiting by their merch tables. By the time their tour is over, they’ve already broken up because they’re so fried. I’m not saying to be a prude or anything — it’s always important to have fun, but don’t lose sight why you’re on the road in the first place.
You’re closing out 2016 with a hometown performance. After having played all over the country, what would you say makes Atlanta audiences unique?
I would say Atlanta audiences view us through a different perspective. They’ve seen us evolve and grow up since the very beginning. I think that’s the case with every band’s hometown audience. They see you go through the trials and errors, the dive bar shows, the real club shows—the whole spectrum—before any other city does.
Do you have anything special planned for this performance?
We’re playing a good chunk of songs from our upcoming 2017 LP, as well as stuff from our 2015 Millipedes EP. We may even be debuting some brand new stuff (newer than our LP) that we’ve been writing on the road. We have great bands on board opening the night’s festivities (Rad-isaurus Rex; Man Up, Yancey; and Hank & Cupcakes).
Speaking of your new LP, what can you tell us about it and your plans for 2017?
The new LP is called Space. It’s a 13-song record that was produced by Tanner Hendon and Wyatt Oates at Madison Studios in Atlanta. We recorded it on the heels of finishing a big tour. We’re releasing the record’s first single in late winter/early spring 2017, which will be followed by another lengthy tour along with some new music videos.
If you could wish for anything for Atlanta in 2017, what would it be?
The one thing we wish for in 2017 is no more selfies. People need to get off their phones and learn how to act like real humans.
The Head will perform on Fri., Dec. 16 at 529. Supporting them will be Hank & Cupcakes; Man Up, Yancey; and Rad-Isaurus Rex. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: thehead.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @theheadrocks
Instagram: @theheadmusic
Twitter: @theheadmusic