If you have ever wondered what it’s like to travel on tour, we have a treat for you. We sat down with Sonic Octane (
Tim Dahlen/ Vocalist and Songwriter, Robert Zeas/ Executive Producer, Songwriter and Guitarist, Gunnar Hague/ Drums and Pete Kinney/Bassist) to chat life on the road.
Robert’s formative musical years included learning rudimentary piano, mandolin, and guitar. He found his first true passion for playing the bass guitar which led to various cover band projects and my first original projects that were Los Angeles and Washington DC based. Sonic Octane project work began in 2016 building on a vision to celebrate American music, entrepreneurship and bring Americans together.
Sonic Octane focuses on true “message music”, much like the Beatles of their generation. They raise social commentary on issues that count. Taking on issues of gun violence, the band shot their video “The Reckoning” at the location of one of the most harrowing gun massacres- at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Jetsetera: What’s it like being on tour? What does travel mean to you?
Sonic Octane: The time goes so fast! You meet so many enthusiastic people that identify with the message in your music. The road traveling and flights in between cities is like being in a trance state, where you can actually just about stop time and admire the vast beauty of America. In all, touring has made us more proud to be Americans and know more about what this is all about from the perspectives of each city we visit.
What is your travel style:
Be legit rockers! We enjoy meeting people from all walks of life, all professions. Our Uber drivers, airport shuttle drivers, flight attendants. Its always enjoyable to learn their interest in music and how they are fascinated with the creative process in songwriting, recording and performing. The more you look like a rocker, generally it follows the more in-depth conversations we come across.
We also enjoy the little airport bars that fill time waiting at the terminal gates as this is usually when our reflection time as a band kicks in.
Your best travel tip:
As a band traveling usually hundreds of miles or more in each excursion we always recommend to travel as light as possible! Technology such as transistors, smaller form factor speaker cabinets and class D amplifiers allows us to pack lighter in our travels. Multi-city travel often means multi-climate environments so wearing some of the performance wardrobes means a lighter suitcase that you may not have to check in as baggage for faster airport travel.
Your favorite travel story:
Once upon a time, we drove over 800 miles only to rent a slammin’ Las Vegas pool house only to find the pool didn’t have a water heater in their cold 60s+ F season…
Favorite Destination you have traveled to so far:
We were delightfully entertained watching Carrot Top Live at the Luxor show in Las Vegas. Lot’s of great classic rock music infused into his live comedy act! We hope to do a show with him some time as he clearly is a true fan!
Necessary luxury on the road:
While an indoor heated swimming pool or jacuzzi in our hotels is always welcome, generally we try to secure aisle and window seats on flights, refrigerators and coffee machines in our hotel rooms and a decent IPA brew or two when time allows.
3 Travel Things You Can’t Live Without:
1. Atypical to the reputations of many rock bands, one of us must have a teddy bear and another unnamed comfy pajamas! lol
2. Suitcases that will fit into overhead compartments.
3. A laptop computer as a key tool on the road for communications, providing content to media and more!
One of your guilty pleasures?
An occasional filtered cigarette. An infrequent hot springs bath house visit in Utah mid-way between Vegas and Denver.
For more information:
Twitter: SonicBandFan
Instagram: SonicOctane
YouTube: Sonic Octane Band
Web: www.SonicOctane.com