EP323 Ben Koller (Converge / High on Fire) on Touring Chaos, Real Estate, Royalties & Life in Heavy Music

In this episode of And Now The Band, Tom Robbins talks with Ben Koller — drummer for Converge, High on Fire, Mutoid Man, and Killer Be Killed — about the realities of balancing a relentless touring schedule with family, business, and the changing music industry.The conversation opens with tour life memories and a shared love of live music, including Ben bringing his 11-year-old son to his first metal show — a rite of passage complete with moshing and earplugs.Outside of music, Ben discusses an unexpected second career: real estate. After frustrating personal experiences with agents, he got licensed to better serve friends and family. With multiple bands keeping him on the road, he currently operates as a referral agent — a practical way to stay involved without sacrificing touring. Tom, also a realtor, relates to the desire to guide people through one of life’s biggest transactions with integrity.From there, the discussion dives into:The realities of touring logistics and broken gear mid-setWhy traveling with backup equipment is non-negotiableScheduling tours a year out — and how life, health, and cancellations still disrupt plansBeing the main provider while chasing every opportunityProtecting family time and mental healthThey also explore modern challenges facing musicians, including technology burnout, social media overload, and the growing role of AI in music creation. Ben expresses concern about losing the human imperfections that make heavy music feel real.A major highlight is Ben’s deep dive into songwriter royalties and rights. After discovering unclaimed mechanical royalties through the Music Modernization Act and the Mechanical Licensing Collective, he began educating other musicians and launched the Heavy Music Collective to help artists understand how to properly collect what they’re owed.At its core, this episode is about sustainability — how to build a long-term life in heavy music without burning out, financially or personally.Key TakeawaysTouring demands preparation, redundancy, and adaptabilityReal estate can provide stability alongside creative careersFamily balance becomes more critical with age and responsibilityTech boundaries are essential for mental clarityAI threatens to dilute the human core of musicMany artists leave royalties unclaimed due to lack of educationUnderstanding publishing and mechanical rights is crucial for survivalCommunity knowledge-sharing strengthens the heavy music ecosystem#BenKoller#Converge#HighOnFire#MutoidMan#KillerBeKilled#HeavyMusic#MetalPodcast#DIYMusic#SongwriterRights#AndNowTheBand