Episode 308: Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist of The Band of Heathens

Longtime friends and collaborators Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, co-founders of The Band of Heathens, are on the show this week!!  Ed and Gordy have a special bond that goes beyond music, and are celebrating their 20 years as a band with their latest album Country Sides.These guys are all about authenticity. DIY to their core, they talk to me about how the band reflects the true indie spirit of the Austin TX scene, a vibe which remains the guiding force behind not only everything they do but also what they are now able to forego. Ed and Gordy are super reflective about these past two decades of music, and we dig deep into the amazing bond they have with their fanbase built through legendary phenomenal live shows and years of touring.This is an interview you don’t want to miss — click on the link in the bio now to give it a listen!!  ===================================Chapters:00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg03:50 Introducing 20 Years of The Band of Heathens 06:00 Celebrating chart success and independence 09:15 The DIY ethos and owning their catalog 13:01 The role of community radio and local venues 15:55 Origins from Austin’s songwriters scene 19:15 The influence of Austin’s musical melting pot 23:59 Building a band and navigating collaboration 27:12 The importance of respect and friendship in the band 31:26 Maintaining fun and fun as a core value 36:34 Musical influences: from The Beatles to Willie Nelson 40:32 The art of creating and improvising live performances 46:05 Evolving setlists and audience engagement48:11 The impact of pandemic and renewed appreciation for touring 54:12 The surprise of longevity and gratitude 59:38 Approaches to trust, last-minute changes, and overthinking 1:04:39 Family, parenthood, and balancing life on the road 1:10:25 Technology’s role in connection and communication 1:14:34 Reflecting on old venues and new horizons in Austin 1:19:03 Final thoughts on the scene’s evolution and future ===================================For more information on Roadcase:https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.comOr contact Roadcase by email:  [email protected] theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer