Bowerbirds Beth Tacular on Sound Opinions

July, 16, 2008 , by Jedidiah

Sound Opinions on NPR has recently been focusing on gas prices and how it affects bands on tour. This past weekend, they interviewed Beth Tacular from Raleigh’s Bowerbirds, discussing how they have dealt with these issues over the past year. Although they normally drive a bio-diesel vehicle, the band must tour with a large band and that means more money for gas for such a small band. Beth Tacular’s interview is the first segment of the show from the 4 minute mark until about the 9 minute mark.

Footnotes and mp3 of the show here.

There has perhaps been no bigger news story this summer than the fuel crisis. But, while we’re all affected by rising gas prices on a daily basis, it’s easy to forget the impact on the music industry. As Sound Opinions has been discussing for years, the music business model is transitioning to put more emphasis on touring and less on album sales. This becomes hard, though, when a band can’t even afford to get into its van and on the road. Jim and Greg talk to Beth Tacular, a member of the North Carolina band Bowerbirds, about the challenges independent musicians are facing this summer.

Bowerbirds Take Away Shows

Bowerbirds Interview