Q&A with Chief

Mike Moonves of Chief takes the time to answer our Q&A while he's on the road.  They've got a handful of dates in Europe now, but catch them back in the States in October.  

Q: Touring is a big part of a musician’s job nowadays, any advice for artists getting into their first years of touring?
A: Advice for touring is a mellow atmosphere. The road can be super intense for bands because its a chance for them to spend every waking moment with the people in their band, which can be fun but also be hectic at times. If there is laughter and a sense of adventure in the air, the tour becomes a summer trip with your friends, not a business endeavor. Also, bring an audio book. We're just about to finish Pat Conway's South of Broad and it's a great way to hang out.
 
Q: You are leaving for tour, list 5 things you can't live without on the road.  
1) pillows in the car  2) cigarettes  3) mesh shorts  4) juice (apple or other)  5) google maps

Q: What challenges have you overcome as an artist, or band, that have made you a better band/artist?      
A: I think the main thing that you need to realize is that you're in a collective. The band has to be together and you can't consider anything more important than anything else. If Evan or Danny is singing a lead part and I'm doing the harmony under it, I need to be just on top of my game as they do. I think it's important to overcome any form of an ego to work together as one.   What motivates you to continue making music?      If you're a musician, you know that it's not really an option to stop playing once you've begun. Unless your hands or vocal cords are destroyed by a shark or something. If that doesn't happen, then music will be going on for us, in some form or another, for the rest of our lives.   

The first record that had an influence on me becoming a musician was Nirvana Nevermind, and the first instrument that I ever owned was a nylon string acoustic.    

Q: If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing?
A: Probably an actor, twas my forte in high school. But I wouldn't have gotten into that if I wasn't a musician, so probably something super straight-laced and normal.