Welcome again to Pursuing the Muse! Today we are joined by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, the frontmen and primary songwriters of the Austin-based Band of Heathens, who are celebrating twenty years of making great music.

Stick around to hear how their song craft has evolved over the years. Learn how Hurricane grew into a platinum monster. And find out which band member played linebacker in college.

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https://bandofheathens.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thebandofheathens

https://www.instagram.com/bandofheathens

https://www.patreon.com/bandofheathens

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00:00 - Theme and Intro

02:14 - Welcoming Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist

02:50 - Celebrating 20 Years: From the Momo’s Residency to Country Sides

04:22 - Improving the Craft: Dedication to Songwriting in Middle Age

05:27 - The "Problem Solving" Nature of the Songwriting Puzzle

07:02 - Waiting for Inspiration vs. The Discipline of Showing Up

09:15 - Keeping the Creative "Antenna" Up

11:44 - Inviting Inspiration: How Literature, Film, and Other Art Fuel Ideas

13:24 - Patterns of Creation: Starting with Titles, Guitar Hooks, or Stream of Consciousness

15:20 - Remote Collaboration and Trusting Each Other's Instincts

17:45 - Early Roots: The Original Lineup and the "Side Project" at Momo’s

19:51 - The Liberation of Shared Frontman Duties

21:45 - Common Aesthetics as the Key to Band Longevity

22:47 - The Legend of Colin Brooks: From Rocker to Fly Fishing Guide

24:47 - Full Circle Moments: Reconnecting on Stage with Old Friends

26:24 - The Good Time Supper Club: Building a Digital "Second Family"

27:41 - The Dartmouth Connection: Gordy and Trevor’s Past as College Football Players

28:51 - From the Gridiron to the Stage: Translating Linebacker Tenacity to Music

31:10 - Bull Riding Trivia: The Biblical and Texas Imagery of "Eight More Seconds"

32:33 - The Finishing School: Running a Private Creative Clubhouse in Austin

33:41 - BOH Records: The Business of Staying Independent

35:50 - Why They Turned Down Major Label Deals and Kept Their Rights

37:39 - "Hurricane": The Accidental Journey of a Platinum Monster

38:37 - Reinterpreting Levon Helm: Dark Themes and Gulf Coast Imagery

40:55 - The "Slow Burn": How "Hurricane" Went Viral Without Industry Muscle

42:27 - Hayes & The Heathens: Collaborating for the Pure Fun of It

47:22 - Learning Lyric Obsession and Word-Level Detail from Hayes Carll

51:25 - Simple Things: Capturing the Hard-Won Optimism of the Post-Pandemic Spirit

53:11 - "Sprints" and "Pods": The Strange Logistics of Recording During Lockdown

56:01 - The Narrative Arc of Country Sides: Mirroring the Band's 20-Year Journey

59:34 - Connecting with the Band: Patreon, Good Time Supper Club, and Social Media

01:00:58 - Outro & Closing Remarks