Remus Tucker is The Mountain Man of Rock & Country and no stranger to fun. Whether it is chasing bear through the mountains, or throwing back a bit of old Lightning, he is all about laughing and having a good time. His trademark hat and long hair lets ya spot him from far off. Sorta gives ya a chance to decide to buy him a drink or quickly make yer exit. Born in the backwoods of Michigan, and spending a lot of time in the South, he is lover of country, old time blues and southern rock and this colors his style in most things. Tucker has played with the likes of Firefall, John Lee Hooker Jr. and has always left crowds satisfied. The artist’s influences are many, with vocal styles that are reminiscent of Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, Geoff Tate, and Ronnie Van Zant. His soulful renderings touch ya in a way that you start thinking “Maybe rebel hippies aren’t all bad.”
The Remus Tucker Band came to be in 2012 in Denver, CO. They released their first album South of New Orleans in 2013 and have been modifying their sound and line up to present a true outlaw southern rock power group. Their music brings different worlds together: from the energy of guitar driven hard rock, the intimacy of country to the raw emotion of the blues, anything goes! From their last single, “Lonely Mile”, to the new single “Come On”, you might feel like you’re hitting the road on a new adventure with Remus and the boys, and perhaps that is part of the story about to unfold. Learn more about the Remus Tucker Band via the following links and stay tuned for a new EP to be released spring 2020.
Website: http://www.remustucker.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemusTuckerBand/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remustucker
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/remustucker
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFiOhjW3e8Y95MiG8mlfKHg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/05PIz8HVddgpkp7eA1EHTc
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I was brought up singing with my family around the wood stove and always found myself playing and singing music. It was just natural for me. I would sometimes put on little shows in my parents living room for friends. So, I have always been front and center when it comes to performing. It is a part of me and in my blood. My influences were many, but I think the old timey Country Western and Bluegrass stars. I actually met Roy Acuff at Opreyland USA when I was a kid. Just talking to a legend like that inspired me to pursue music as a living. Two of my great influences and heroes I would say has to be David Bowie and Freddie Mercury simply because they did what they wanted and pushed their music to the limit. Johnny Cash has always been that father figure in the background showing me the way with how he performed and played his music. Yep. I got the bug and don’t want the cure.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
That is a hard one. I guess I would have to say the late, great Ronnie Van Zant. He was an ordinary fella that found his place in the world and rode that wild bronco to the top. What separates me from other musicians is my voice has a very large range. You typically do not find that in most Country and Southern Rock artists. Also, I have some of that hard rock edge that makes what I do just a little bit different.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
Adversity is the life’s blood of music, and every musician has gone through something in their lives. I lost my brother early in life, and he was an amazing musician, the most talented guitar player I have ever seen. That impacted me to the point of saying that life is way too short, and I need to do what I love and dream of. I’ve been homeless. Penniless. And alone in the world. I would say these experiences have molded me. My brother’s death was difficult, and my father’s passing not too many years ago was extremely difficult as well. Death is always the great equalizer and it makes you take stock. Being homeless made me realize what was really important in life, and not to sweat what you don’t have, but be thankful for what you do have. All of these things pushed me, knocked me down, and made me fight even more to get my music in front of people.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Writing songs is an interesting process in my world. I never really set out to write anything specific. I sit down with my guitar of mandolin and just start strumming out notes. Then, after a while, something starts to come together in my head and heart and then words start to form to the chords that are being played. So, if I am sad at the time I start to play, I leverage past experiences of sadness to fuel that writing, and the same with happy or angry tunes. My process of writing, if I am with the boys, starts with a little whiskey and a whole lot of playing. Things eventually fall into place. For recording, I like to walk in and I am all business. It’s expensive to record, so I want everyone to be prepared and ready to give their absolute best. That is what I am gonna do, so everyone else should too.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
There are tons of incredible artists out there and sometimes you feel like a face in a very very large crowd. To stand out you need to be unique and engaging. To figure that out is the secret to a successful career. I have worked on my brand for years to offer something special to the fans. I am very personable and love meeting anyone that comes to my show, so that is one way I stay on their minds. Another is to write interesting songs and grab peoples attention. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll stand on my head.
Labels are a wonderful thing. They help you get a lot farther than you could just on your own. As for major or indie, as long as they are invested in my music and getting me as far as possible so we can all reap the benefits, I’m not fussy. Traditional music business models have morphed over the years and many labels are concentrating on the streaming and social media methods of distribution. I’ve been doing that for the last few years and it is a different animal altogether. But, the tried and true tour is still what makes an artist an artist, and people still come out to see a great show.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
I love playing and performing, so making a living isn’t always on my mind. I make money, but could I live off of it? Not at present. But, with the great team that I have behind me, such as my manager Tracey Chirhart, I am closer than I have ever been. My advice to someone wanting to jump on this train is to never give up. Find others who believe in your vision and then fight for it.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
The internet has opened up the industry to everyone. Some incredible, some not so incredible. But you know what, it lets everyone have the chance to shine, even if only for a little while. Social media is the meat and potatoes of this business at present. If you are not savvy in the ways of it, you will fade very quickly. I am pretty good at it, but I still hired a social media company to handle the greater part simply because it is a vast and deep well and I can’t hold my breath long enough to get to the bottom of it.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I would never call anyone a “sell-out”. If they are loving the music and the playing, then go for it. Is it my way? I don’t think so. But for those who are out there playing to thousands of people that enjoy the music, who can shame that. My music comes from inside of me. I don’t think it is possible to corrupt that after so many years.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
As any “working” musician, I would love to see myself on a national tour with Sturgil Simpson or someone as great. I mean, why not? I want to just do what I love and touch the lives of others as music has touched mine.