Roadtrip to Raleigh (American Aquarium)- RAW Recap!
Community, Music, and Passion!
BJ Barham, the lead singer of American Aquarium, built a vibrant music community from scratch.
Discover the highs and lows of his music career, his passion for connecting with fans, and the inspiration behind his band's unique music festivals.
Ben an Zach take you behind the scenes of the Road Trip to Raleigh festival, where music becomes a powerful tool for building community and fostering genuine connections.
BJ's story is one of passion, perseverance, and the unwavering belief in the power of music to bring people together.
Experience the energy and excitement of this one-of-a-kind festival, where music lovers from all walks of life gather to celebrate the music they love.
Get ready to be inspired to build your own communities and discover the magic that happens when people come together around a shared passion.
You'll also Discover:
How to Build a Music Community
A Strategy for Curating Music Events
Why Music Festivals Matter
The Key to Building a Loyal Fan Base
An Unexpected Music Experience
What role has music played in building communities in your own life? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Listen to American Aquarium: http://www.americanaquarium.com/
Follow American Aquarium to learn more about the Road Trip to Raleigh
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Transcript
Hey there and welcome back to America Curious.
Speaker A:I am your host Ben Fanning and I'm here along with my co host Zach Schultz.
Speaker A:We are on, we are on location at Road Trip to Raleigh, which is American Aquarium's fantastic Music Festival for three days in Raleigh and it's their 10th anniversary.
Speaker A:Zach, what's your experience been like so far?
Speaker B:Well, I think this has just been quite inspiring, wouldn't you say, Ben?
Speaker B:Oh God, yeah.
Speaker A:Inspiring.
Speaker A:Yeah, I would say that it's, it's been incredible.
Speaker A:Now we're only two nights into it, tonight is the finale, but we wanted to go ahead and talk about what it's been like so far.
Speaker A:Night one kicked off with two opening acts plus a raucous two hour play set from BJ Barm and the crew.
Speaker B:Two hours plus.
Speaker A:And so give us a breakdown quickly on the first two acts that opened up on night one and what.
Speaker A:And what your thoughts were.
Speaker B:Yeah, okay, so first off, kicking off it on Thursday night was the Wilder Blue, who I'm not as familiar as, as some of the other bands here today, but they did a just a tremendous Allman Brother cover.
Speaker B:They had their own original music, played some of their new album and just they're just a group of cool looking country dudes that play great music.
Speaker B:And what an energy they brought.
Speaker A:Yeah, a great vibe.
Speaker A:Lots of Americana, lots of sort of classic country sound.
Speaker A:And then we all were blown away by a band you've probably heard of called the Lone Bellow.
Speaker A:But it was a little bit of a different set.
Speaker B:Yeah, they did a very different set than their, you know, if you listen to Spotify, what you find on their records.
Speaker B:They did an acoustic set and I'll name drop, they did a John prime tribute so we had to put that in.
Speaker B:But just a high energy acoustic set where the whole theater was captivated, hanging on every word.
Speaker A:Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned that because the theater is called the Lincoln Theater in downtown Raleigh.
Speaker A:Holds about 800 people and it sells out.
Speaker A:So every night it's just full of the most tried and true American Aquarium super fans.
Speaker A:And bj, the lead singer of American Aquarium curates these opening acts.
Speaker A:So in the past, y'all, BJ has had Zach Bryan.
Speaker A:Yes, that, that superstar as well as the Turnpike Troubadours when they were up and coming.
Speaker A:So he has a really strong knack for finding bands that are early on that are going to be big hits.
Speaker A:And then last night we got two other openers that we'll mention to one being Shovels and rope out Of John's Island, South Carolina, near me.
Speaker A:They have been around a little bit longer, but they played a really cool acoustic set and they're longtime friends of bj.
Speaker A:They actually got their start about the same time and they've kind of groped together in the business.
Speaker A:So that was a really cool moment.
Speaker A:And then we had another band, which I'll let Zach tell you about.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So Taylor Honeycutt, who was kind of a rising star in the Americana world, more along the lines of country.
Speaker B:But she came out with just this energy.
Speaker B:Energy and this growling voice and this amazing band of very tall cowboy looking guys with big beards that just rocked and kind of tore the roof off the building, setting the stage for the whole night.
Speaker A:Go check out Taylor Honeycutt.
Speaker A:She hails from my home state, Alabama.
Speaker A:She's actually from Demopolis, Alabama.
Speaker A:But she kind of classifies herself as Alabama rock, Alabama country.
Speaker A:She's really on the rise, y'all.
Speaker A:Check it out.
Speaker A:And for tonight we have actually what.
Speaker A:Before talking about tonight, something cool this after happened this afternoon.
Speaker B:Yeah, I was just gonna interrupt you and say this morning BJ did a pop up show at a place called Ruby Deluxe.
Speaker B:It only holds about 150 people, so you had to get in line early.
Speaker B:It is a.
Speaker B:You just talked more about stories of songs he wrote and the energy that the people have to come see BJ and how he came up with the idea of this festival, if you call it a festival, I guess I do.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:Is the way that it's quite inspiring because he would say I'm selling out shows all over the country.
Speaker B: in Minneapolis,: Speaker B:But when I would come back to Raleigh, no one would show up at my shows.
Speaker B:And it was quite frustrating for him.
Speaker B:So he started this festival to get people from all around to come so he could sell out a show in Raleigh, which was quite inspiring.
Speaker B:And now it's growing into.
Speaker B:We ran into people from Raleigh in line.
Speaker B:Now they know who he is.
Speaker B:Some of them just showed up to that event this morning.
Speaker B:They knew he was going to do it.
Speaker B:But it's just a.
Speaker B:It's quite amazing the.
Speaker B:The music community that he has.
Speaker B:What's the word?
Speaker A:Like he's created this community from scratch.
Speaker A:And when you come and we're here, what I notice is there are people from all walks of life.
Speaker A:All eight from Denmark, a couple from Denmark.
Speaker A:There was there.
Speaker A:There are much older people, sort of in the grandparents age.
Speaker A:There's like the middle aged people which Zach and I.
Speaker A:I Can't believe we're saying this.
Speaker A:We're in the middle age category.
Speaker A:There are teenagers here.
Speaker A:It really runs the gamut, y'all.
Speaker A:There are right wing fans, there are moderates, there are left wing people, sort of politically.
Speaker A:And you know what, everybody is coming together around the music and we talk about the music.
Speaker A:We were standing in line to go in that 100 person BJ event today and we were just talking.
Speaker A:We didn't know any of the people around us online.
Speaker A:But within 20 minutes we're all exchanging band ideas, talking about our favorite music, getting plugged into different festivals that people had gone to and their experience.
Speaker A:And we walked out of that line, I would say all friends.
Speaker A:And it's because of the music.
Speaker A:Music that brings us together, gets something positive to talk about and we're not talking about politics.
Speaker A:And it's really a, a powerful thing of building community.
Speaker A:And I think we all can take some notes from that now.
Speaker A:Fast forward.
Speaker A:We are getting ready for the final night.
Speaker A:And by the way, y'all, I just want to mention that BJ and American Aquarium played two hours the first night, two hours the second night.
Speaker A:He did a two hour solo show today where he told some stories too.
Speaker A:And then he's going to go tonight and do another two plus hour show with, with the band.
Speaker A:This man has got endurance.
Speaker A:He does not look tired.
Speaker A:He sounds great.
Speaker A:Repeats barely any repeats.
Speaker A:If you go to American Aquarium song, there's always two tunes.
Speaker A:And so since he plays multiple times, he's staying true to that and plays.
Speaker B:These tunes which are, you know, Burn Flicker and Die.
Speaker B:BJ told us when he was on our show, if, if he doesn't play that, it's not an American Aquarium show.
Speaker B:And usually losing sight of 25 or I hope he breaks your heart.
Speaker A:Yeah, so you're going to hear those.
Speaker A:And they're wonderful songs.
Speaker A:I don't mind hearing them.
Speaker A:Sometimes he puts different twists on them.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:And so one of the fun things, one of the most fun things about going to hear live music is the anticipation.
Speaker A:And so tonight we're anticipating two openers that we've never heard live before.
Speaker A:And we're pumped.
Speaker A:Who are they?
Speaker B:Yeah, I'm very excited to see the Drop Tines.
Speaker B:Love their record.
Speaker B:Don't know much about them.
Speaker B:They're a younger version of American Aquarium as BJ described today.
Speaker B:So that hits me right where I want to in my feels.
Speaker B:So I am super excited to see them.
Speaker B:And then the incredibly talented Maggie Rose.
Speaker B:I mean, I cannot believe, believe BJ was Able to.
Speaker B:I mean, she just celebrated her hundredth time at the Opry last night with Vince Gill and Old Crow Medicine show.
Speaker B:And now she's coming to the road trip to Raleigh.
Speaker B:And I am so excited.
Speaker A:Playing before a small.
Speaker A:A relatively small audience.
Speaker A:Yeah, seven or 800 people, y'all.
Speaker A:That's small.
Speaker A:Like, it feels small.
Speaker A:It is small.
Speaker A:This Fenu small.
Speaker A:You are right up next to the action and it is a.
Speaker A:A pure delight.
Speaker A:So after coming to road trip to Raleigh, how does this change or impact you in terms of how you think about music festivals and community and what we're building at our podcast of Americana Curious.
Speaker B:Well, I.
Speaker B:Me and my wife were just talking about this.
Speaker B:We went to Slims in Raleigh, which is a dive bar, but it comes from one of the songs that when BJ was coming up in this town, he sang about Slim.
Speaker B:So we had to go check it out.
Speaker B:And we were just talking about the.
Speaker B:These type of events that are curated after an artist that we love to kind of step into where their life is.
Speaker B:This is where he used to go when he was 20.
Speaker B:He doesn't go to Slim Slims anymore, you know, but that's a part of his life.
Speaker B:The coffee place is now more his thing and he gives us a little.
Speaker B:And I just find these little events that we do, I would encourage people to do them.
Speaker B:You get a good show at the end of the night, great show.
Speaker B:But during the day, there are things to do that the artist wants you to do to explore the know they're upcoming.
Speaker B:So I'm just very.
Speaker B:I've been having a great time.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And it was really cool because.
Speaker A:Yeah, he.
Speaker A:He's like, hey, if you're coming to the road trip to Raleigh, this is my favorite restaurant or my few.
Speaker A:Couple.
Speaker A:Russ.
Speaker A:We went to a place last night to have pizza and at a very major.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's Trophy Brewery in Raleigh, and it has a big pizza place attached to it.
Speaker A:And on the menu they have the road trip to Raleigh pizza that he.
Speaker A:He and the restaurant have come up with a pizza that he likes.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker B:And the coffee place had a special blend that they're selling.
Speaker B:They had a pizza and the.
Speaker B:And a beer.
Speaker B:Tough folks.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And there's a song about tough folks.
Speaker A:And it's.
Speaker A:Anyway, it's.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's especially brewed beer.
Speaker A:There's a lot of special things about this.
Speaker A:And so if there's something that you can take away.
Speaker A:Pete musicians that you're enjoying, why don't you check to see if they have similar events?
Speaker A:I think this is growing because musicians are having a hard time making money just on downloads and staying kind of keeping their community alive through that.
Speaker A:And so one of the ways they do that is they're thinking more broadly about what inspires them as musicians.
Speaker A:And whether it's food, whether it's a city, whether it's a bar, whether it's a beer, coffee, chocolate, whatever it happens to be.
Speaker A:And they're offering it to their communities.
Speaker A:It turns out it is a lot of fun.
Speaker A:Are there any other musicians that come to mind?
Speaker A:I think the drive.
Speaker A:Someone's saying that.
Speaker A:The Drive By Truckers.
Speaker B:So there is.
Speaker B:I think it's called the Heathens Homecoming, which is the annual Drive By Truckers festival that they do in their hometown of, I believe, Macon, which is on my bucket list.
Speaker B:John.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Oliver Hazard does.
Speaker B:Oliver Hazard days up in.
Speaker B:It's not Columbus, it's just outside of Columbus, Ohio.
Speaker B:They do one in the summer.
Speaker B:John Prine's family and Legacy and Old Boy Records does.
Speaker B:Does Nashville for the.
Speaker B:You've Got Gold.
Speaker B:And those are kind of more along the lines of what we're looking for to attend more often.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Nothing wrong with Newport with these other big festivals, Coachella, Bonnaroo, all these huge festivals.
Speaker A:And it's also important to recognize that a lot of artists are now saying, hey, look, you know, we can provide an even more in depth, incredible experience and bring their friends together, and it really gives them more control.
Speaker A:And when you give your favorite artist more control over the lineup and the food, it really allows them to express their creativity and allows you to connect with more people who love the music that you love.
Speaker B:Yeah, and I'll take on that because you feel a sense of community when you are in a smaller event like this where there's only 800 people, but there are 800 people that have the same love for this band.
Speaker B:So it's all, we met Josh, we met Eric, we met Red Twerk.
Speaker B:We've met them all.
Speaker B:And we keep running back into him at the hotel.
Speaker B:And it's just fun.
Speaker B:And you have great conversations.
Speaker B:You exchange, who are you listening to now?
Speaker B:Who's inspiring you?
Speaker B:And that's what I'm really taking away from this.
Speaker A:So Zach brought it up.
Speaker A:Red Twerk people might be wondering, who is this?
Speaker A:And why has Red Twerk become such a memorable person for you?
Speaker B:Well, I mean, following along on Red Twerk's adventures to do with.
Speaker B:On Twitter or Instagram, the guy, he's really kind of become a celebrity level fan of bands.
Speaker B:Every band knows this guy.
Speaker B:I think his name is Jeff.
Speaker B:Excuse me.
Speaker B:He has kind of a moniker of Red Twerk.
Speaker B:And he does.
Speaker B:He goes to late night karaoke.
Speaker B:He goes 100%, 100% of the time.
Speaker B:It's quite fun.
Speaker B:And just the sweetest, nicest guy when you talk to him.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:So it really adds another level of fun when you meet these fan celebrities in the groups.
Speaker A:And I forgot to mention one thing too, that happened.
Speaker A:Zach and I did not go to it.
Speaker A:There was a post party.
Speaker A: It was from: Speaker A:And we.
Speaker A:Zach's like, we're too old for that.
Speaker A:But a lot of people went and y'all be B.J.
Speaker A:barham shows up.
Speaker A:And I saw a video of him karaoke.
Speaker A:Bruce Springsteen, I believe it was Born to Run.
Speaker A:And it was incredible.
Speaker A:So this is another fun thing that happens at these events.
Speaker A:And with that in mind, I think we're ready to go prepare ourselves for the final night.
Speaker A:But again, if you're thinking about road trip to Raleigh next year for year 11, I highly recommend getting it on your calendar and getting tickets.
Speaker B:It's always the first weekend in February, so put it on your calendar now.
Speaker B:We'll be back.
Speaker A:Stay curious.
