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Good Afternoon James! Thank you so much for talking with us! Tell us about your new EP, “Game On.”
We’re super excited about our new E.P. We’ve done some recording in the past, but this was a completely different process for us. We went into it knowing that these songs were going to be at radio, and be heard by thousands of people. I think when you realize how big of deal that is, you really want to do your absolute best work. That being said, our music and ideology hasn’t really changed, we just love to make music that we love to play, and that we think other like-minded people will enjoy!
I’m sure you won’t mind me saying that your single, “Chills” is just fantastic. Can you give us a little bit of background about song selection and writing?
We definitely don’t mind! “Chills” was one of our favorite songs right from the moment that it was written. I wrote the tune with our good friends Donovan Woods, Gavin Slate, and Travis “T-Buck” Wood. It was honestly the quickest write of any song from our E.P. I think it took about three hours. We came in and T-Buck had this cool idea about “getting chills”, essentially getting butterflies or goosebumps, but in a cooler way. Anytime I’ve written with the guys we come up with something cool, and that definitely shows in this tune.
How was it competing and winning the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase?
Winning the Emerging Artist Showcase was a HUGE moment for us. We all realized how much of a game changer it was, because it connected us with Universal Music, which leaded us to signing our first record deal. It’s been an absolute whirlwind since that moment.
What’s your favorite drink when you are “Lawn Chair Lazy?”
I’m not going to lie, we’ll drink just about anything. Except Sambuca, that stuff is the devil. We’re usually just beer drinkers. There’s nothing better than an ice cold beer and sitting in a lawn chair, listening to the game chilling with your buddies.
You guys are from Canada, what foods do you miss from there when you are in the states?
There’s not too much of a difference in food between Canada and the states. I think the biggest difference is the junk food. There’s a few treats that we really love that are only sold in Canada. Butter tarts, All-Dressed Chips, Ketchup Chips, and Smarties to name a few! If anyone wants to try them get at us hahaha.
How about Poutine, how do you like to make it?
There’s no such thing as “a bad time for poutine.” We’ve had the opportunity to play a lot of shows in the province of Quebec, which is the birthplace of poutine. I think the best way to have poutine is keeping it traditional, which white cheese curds and really dark gravy, served on thick cut fries!
Do you cook as much as you can when off the road or do you prefer eating
out?
We all like too cook, especially when use actually get the chance to be home for a little bit. We all really try to live healthy lifestyles, and eating out while we’re on the road can take its toll. So we all make sure to eat home cooked meals at every opportunity.
Who is the bigger foodie in the band?
I think Taylor is the bigger foodie in the band. Connor and I enjoy our fair share of grub, and Bobby is a real health nut when it comes to his diet, but Taylor is always the one trying the crazy dishes at every restaurant.
What food is your food vice? You know, one you sneak in a little extra of when no one is looking.
Chocolate. 100%. I have a really hard time going 24 hours without having some chocolate in my life.
I can’t imagine you get a lot of time to cook while you are on tour. When out on the road, who gets to pick where you eat?
We are all pretty easy, so it usually just comes down to whoever makes the first suggestion. We’ve had a few disagreements before, and in that case we let it go to a vote. Very diplomatic hahah.
Tell us about one memorable meal you’ve had during your travels. What did it involve?
A really memorable meal for us was at a little restaurant that’s on our way to Nashville from Toronto in La Grange, Kentucky I think. During one of our drives to Nashville, we hit a massive traffic jam due to an accident. It was around 8 at nigh and none of us had eaten for at least ten hours. We were right at an exit from the highway so we got off and stopped in at the first place we saw. It turned out to be the BEST BBQ we have ever eaten. We still stop in every time we drive to Nashville.
Is there anywhere you have wanted to travel or a restaurant you have always wanted to dine in that you have not yet? Or somewhere you can not wait to get back to?
We always love visiting the south west because we are crazy about Mexican food. It’s really hard to find good Mexican in Canada, but when you get down there, it seems like there’s a taco shop on every corner!
If you designed your own walking food tour of your favorite city, which restaurants/food sellers would be on your list of places to visit?
We literally eat anything, but to list a few: Jimmy Johns, Local Taco, Waffle House, Denny’s and, Martin’s BBQ.
@Jamesbarkerband Healthiest band in North America
QUICKFIRE Questions:
Buffet or sit-down dinner? Buffet
Soup or salad? Salad
Butter or olive oil? Butter
Baked or fried? Fried
Breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast? Breakfast for Dinner
Waffles or pancakes? Waffles
Lobster or steak? Steak
One thing I’d never eat is: Raw Squid (I’ve seen it happen)
Favorite food to eat as a kid: Bologna and cheese slices
Finally, If you could eat or have a drink with one person dead or alive, who would it be and what would you have?
Zac Brown and whatever he wanted, because from what I’ve heard he has the best taste in food in the world.
Website: https://www.jamesbarkerband.com/
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