E336 Dylan Turner and Megan Kane of Parker Barrow Hold the Mash and Hit the Road With Southern Rock Spirit

Megan: I'm Megan Kane.

Dylan: I'm Dylan Turner.

Megan: We're Parker Barrow.

Dylan: And you're listening to The Itch.

-----

KC: You're listening to The Itch. My name is KC.

Dan: My name is Dan.

Aaron: And I'm Aaron, and this week we are scratching The Itch for all bangers. And because of that, we are gonna Hold the Mash, which is the name of this week's guest Parker Barrow's brand new album. We were joined by the husband and wife duo behind the band, Megan Kane and Dylan Turner.

KC: Yeah, I was excited to get this one on the schedule because we have a little bit of a history with them. And so getting to finally see them live recently was a good thing. Always fun to see a band live and then talk with them shortly thereafter.

Aaron: Yeah, I mean, we just dropped a live review episode from when you saw them at the Old Rock House, like a handful of episodes back. Yeah, so they're very fresh on our schedule. Our introduction to this band was back in episode 288, if you want to check that out, where I saw the benefit show for Jay Scott, host of The Hook Rocks, another podcast that's kind of in the vein of what we do, friend of ours. And these guys were on the bill for that benefit, trying to raise funds for his recovery from some, some health issues that you can actually find still in our Instagram bio. It's been there for quite a while and I'm going to leave it there for quite a while.

KC: Yeah.

Aaron: So shout out to Jay. Shout out to some of our other friends while we're at it here from Groove Council, the guys from the All Things Blues and Southern Rock podcast. Parker Barrow has also been on their show a few times. And made a recent appearance on Brian Colburn's My Weekly Mixtape. So these dudes have made the rounds within our homies, and now it was time for us to, to check them off the list.

Dan: One of my favorite parts about this interview, and I want to help visualize it for our listeners. So Aaron kind of asked them a little bit more detail about their marriage and how that works with the band. And as Dylan is answering, The way that Megan was looking at him is what every guy dreams of in a relationship. Like, if you can have your woman looking at you like that, you know that you are loved. And so I just wanted to kind of point that out because you can't obviously see that or hear that, but it was just like, it was just such an endearing look. And then he obviously reciprocated that look too, but it was just that first response that when he was answering that question, the look on her face was just priceless, to be honest.

KC: Right.

And they, they're always together, so they don't spend a lot of time apart.

Dan: Yeah, that's, that's incredible.

Aaron: We talked before about how we like shining a light on good people making good music, and these two just seem like good, wholesome, incredibly sweet people.

KC: Yes.

Dan: And they kind of just seem to be hitting their stride, to be honest. Like, you know, they're just like kind of understanding exactly what lane they're in. And they're starting to kind of master it, I feel.

Aaron: Yeah, I think that their previous music that they had released before this album was largely the two of them, and they made kind of a big paradigm shift between the last record and this one where they really filled out the band with other people who were bringing a lot to the table to contribute. And as the conversation goes, it really feels like they've— to your point, Dan— that they're kind of coming into their own and understanding who they are and really making some good music, especially if you are fans of Southern rock or blues rock type of stuff. And as KC and I both learned, they have a phenomenal live show.

KC: Yeah, and it's just another one of those bands that it makes you feel good that there's younger bands playing this style of music and keeping it going and doing it really well. So if you get a chance to see them, they're always on the road. They're getting ready to start the third leg of their tour, and I'm sure the next one won't be too far behind that.

Aaron: Including a very interesting little— I called it a mini residency. They're doing four days in a row at the Sturgis Biker Rally. They seem to be kind of the house band for, for, I guess, a pub down there. So if you happen to be in Sturgis, you got to check that out and report back to us. I'm going to start doing that. Tell everybody, just report back to us about your experiences. Yeah, get at us bikers!

Dan: And their new album Hold the Mash is out now.

KC: So without any further ado, here's our conversation with Megan Kane and Dylan Turner of Parker Barrow.

KC: When we started this podcast in 2020, one of the best things that happened was becoming friends with a whole community of independent music podcasts, including a few that you're familiar with: All Things Blues and Southern Rock, My Weekly Mixtape, and The Hook, hosted by our friend Jay Scott. Jay's been unable to continue his show for some time due to health issues, but last year Aaron saw you perform at Jay's benefit concert in Chicago and came back raving about how you stole the show. Then I was able to catch you in St. Louis this year and immediately told the guys we need to have Parker Barrow on the podcast. So in a lot of ways, we owe this conversation to Jay.

Megan: Always.

Dylan: Oh dude, we love Jay, man. He is, he is the best. And, uh, He was one of the very first interviews we ever did when we released our first record. And, you know, some of the things that he said about our music and about some of our songs have encouraged us and, you know, been the wind beneath our wings to keep us going in a world that sometimes can find more ways to put you down than build you up. And, man, we love Jay to death. We were lucky enough to go and visit him when we were in Chicago. And, man, just so excited, you know, with the—

Megan: Inspired.

Dylan: Inspired by the The strides he's making in his recovery and just how hard he's working. We're praying for him every day and absolutely love him to death.

KC: Yeah, he's sorely missed in the community, definitely in the Groove Council.

Dylan: Yeah, the Groove Council, man.

Heck yeah.

Aaron: It was funny, we kept finding these further connections because then later we found out, you know, you guys have been on Blues and Southern Rock a few times.

Dylan: Yeah. Love those guys too, man.

Aaron: Yeah, you just did one with our friend Brian on My Weekly Mixtape. That was a really good chat.

Megan: Yeah.

Dylan: Yeah.

Aaron: So I'm like, we have— I don't know if people know that, like, independent music podcasts, there's kind of a little community within that too where you kind of know each other. And, or at least sometimes you do. We do anyway.

Megan: Yeah, it was so neat to find that out for us as well because we get to see everyone around the country really, uh, pretty much at shows we go to. And they're like, oh, we're, you know, we got to chat with you a couple weeks ago and just get to see familiar faces across the board from Independent podcasts for independent bands.

Yeah, pretty cool.

KC: Exactly.

Aaron: Yeah.

KC: Parker Barrow is definitely one of the bands that people need to see live, and you guys give them plenty of opportunities to do so. Why has touring been a foundational means of getting your music to people?

Dylan: I mean, you know, the live show, that is— that's why we do everything we do. We write and record songs so that we have music to go and play live. Megan and I, since we've met about eight years ago, we have spent the majority of our lives on the road. And quite honestly, the road is where we feel most at home. You know, when we first met, we were living and touring out of an old broken-down RV with no heat and no air conditioning. You know, we lived in it, we toured in it, we slept in it, we ate in it, the whole thing. And it's just, it's honestly the best way that I think we could choose to to live our lives. Obviously, you know, there's pros and cons to it. We spend quite a bit of time away from our families and loved ones. But thankfully, you know, we are surrounded by people who love and care about us and support us and our dreams and our efforts and making them come true. And, you know, we just, we love being on the road. We love playing shows. We love meeting people. That's what it's all about for us. So— The more the merrier. As many shows as we can play, as many dates as we can fit in our calendar, we're going to fit them and we're going to go and play them.

KC: Definitely. And you guys actually just got back from the UK recently.

Dylan: Yes.

KC: And you actually kicked off the tour on the day that your new album Hold the Mash was released. That had to have been an interesting experience.

Megan: It was surreal almost. This was our 3rd trip over. We actually just got back, I think, a day. 2 days ago, a day ago or so. Something like that. So we're still on the jet lag portion of the journey on the other side of it. But it was just surreal. It was our 3rd trip over and we really had no way of gauging how exactly it would go for us. We got to do a great tour with a band called The Damn Truth in November of last year and got to play some pretty cool festivals on our last trip over. And really just, you know, we knew it was something that was important to us and everyone that we have talked to. And, you know, so we booked some shows and fingers crossed that people came out to them. And, you know, praise God that, you know, we ended up selling out, I think, 4 of the 5 shows. And again, playing 2 more incredible festivals and just really setting a foundation for what is going on over there and getting to meet those people and to feel more just, I guess, at home over there than, you know, like it is. We're visiting a different place. We landed on the ground and it was like, okay, this isn't This isn't like the first trip. This is— this feels comfortable. This feels like a place that, you know, we belong. And the people is really ultimately what made us feel so welcome over there. And everyone just choosing to come out and support, again, independent bands and a band that really, like, for no reason other than just the fact that people, you know, have put their faith in us being able to go and do that and booking our shows over there and just, just the whole support we have over there is just absolutely incredible. So getting to release our album, it honestly felt right to celebrate with all them.

Yeah.

And to have that extra ounce of support and extra love that was shown to us at all the shows, it was just kind of— it was insane. Absolutely insane.

Dan: That's what I was wondering, because, you know, Southern rock and blues rock is very deeply rooted in the American South. So I was curious, like, how was Southern rock received in the UK?

Dylan: Yeah, I mean, honestly, they love it over there. What we've kind of come to realize, you know, in the UK is there's this thirst for discovery over there, you know, where they want to be the person who finds the band, you know, before the band does whatever the band's gonna do. And, you know, I think partially it's due to the fact, you know, that here in the States, all of the major tours hit all of the major cities, and there's just so much going on all the time that people have to be selective about what shows they're going to go see. You only have so much money you can set aside for concerts or movies or whatever else you do in your spare time. Whereas in the UK, they don't get all of the big tours all the time. So when something comes over, they're very excited for it and ready for it. And I think because of that, maybe they're more so likely to go and give a band a try that as not a household name or someone they're seeing on all the billboards and everything. So that dynamic has been cool to figure out. And the reception we've received over there has just been mind-boggling. It's just so cool. We now have some friends over there that we've met through these shows, and it's nice to know you have people on the other side of the world that are waiting for you to give you a high five, a handshake, or a hug when you get back. And it's, it's just been great, man. We, we couldn't be any more thankful or, um, really just feel so special to, uh, to have such a warm welcome when we get over there each time. And, we got another tour lined up for November over there that we're chomping at the bit. We can't wait for it.

Dan: I'm also wondering too, because you had just mentioned earlier that you, like, you were, you know, touring your van with no AC and And, you know, how is the heat over in the UK? Any lack of air conditioning in certain venues?

Megan: Oh, nothing's worse than lack of AC.

Dylan: Yeah.

Megan: It was, it was honestly like the first day we landed, it was, it was pretty hot. I think it was probably like 80 degrees. And, you know, the van we were touring in didn't have AC beyond the front, uh, area. So we were kind of in the back just sweating to death. But as, as we were there, uh, it actually turned into perfect weather. It almost felt like fall over here. Like, I was like ready to put on like a football game, like all ready for the whole thing. Um, just, it would— it ended up being absolutely perfect weather while we were there, which I don't think ever happens in their case. Unfortunately, I think they are— they see more rain than they do sunshine. But, uh, thankfully for us, I think all we saw was sunshine because it was incredible for most of it. But definitely the first couple days we were— I think we caught the tail end of that heat wave. And we were just like, I think we had We stayed in an Airbnb that had nothing, like, had doors like for a balcony, and we just slept doors wide open. I was like, if someone gets in here, they're just gonna get in. I don't know, it's too hot.

Dan: So KC saw you at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, and we've joked before that if your band has more than four members, somebody has to play on the stairs at the Old Rock House.

Megan: Yeah!

Dan: How do you navigate packing and travel as a six-person band?

Dylan: Yeah, I mean, we are blessed to have a big old bus that we tour on, which makes things very comfortable for traveling. It's cool. Our bus actually used to belong to Tedeschi Trucks. We just recently found that out, that it's been passed down from several different artists, but Tedeschi Trucks had it for about 20 years, and we just were able to buy it in February of this year. So that keeps us pretty comfortable. And, you know, we can spread out, stand up, you know, it's nice. We're very blessed to have that. You know, as far as like some of the shows we're playing in some of these smaller clubs, it does get interesting, especially because we're not bringing in, you know, little combo amps or cocktail drum kits. You know, we're all about the Marshall stacks and the big Fender amps. And, you know, I play a 26-inch kick drum and our keyboard player brings a full B3 and Leslie cabinet. You know, it's It's the whole shebang. So then, you know, on top of that, when we do some shows where we're either supporting another band or a band supporting us, you know, you're cramming 10 to 12 musicians on stage with all the gear. It certainly can get interesting, but we always find a way to make it work. I think we've only had one show that our keyboard player had to set up on the floor because he didn't fit on the stage. He did have to sit on the floor for that one. You know, it makes for a cool story. It's, uh, you know, something we'll remember, like just laughing, like watching Eric over there, like on the ground playing his B-3, you know, like it's all fun, man. We, we enjoy every aspect of this, man. The travel, you know, figuring out how to make these stages work, and it's all fun for us. So we just do our best to put on the best show we can and try to make people happy with our music.

Dan: Circle pit around Eric.

Dylan: Oh dude, he would, he would be in there, man. He'd be all about it.

Aaron: So now that you're back in the States, you still got a few shows scheduled for, for August and before you announce whatever else is coming next. The most interesting thing I saw on your schedule upcoming was you got four dates in a row in Sturgis, like almost a little residency or something. I'm assuming that's connected to the biker rally that happens every year.

Megan: Sure is!

Dylan: Yeah.

Aaron: I'm curious. So what's the story behind that? And what are your— what are your plans? You're just kind of setting up shop there for, for the week?

Megan: We have no idea what to expect. Um, we, we, uh, we're playing Full Throttle Saloon, for four days in a row out of— I think we're gonna be there for six days total. Four days, I think two off days, in between the four shows. But I mean, we've heard nothing but stories about Sturgis Bike Rally, and, uh, it's actually our bus driver's field birthday. So we're gonna be celebrating him, and he's, he's also a backer as well, so I think he will get a kick out of being there. So yeah, I think it's gonna be, it's gonna be something, that's for sure. I think we're gonna have a great time, and, uh, we're excited to meet everyone. I mean, and there's great bands playing all week. We're, I think also at Full Throttle Saloon, there's Blackberry Smoke's gonna be there.

Dylan: Sammy Hagar.

Megan: Sammy Hagar's gonna be there. Just a few other great bands that We're really looking forward to hanging out with and seeing again.

Dan: Like, the bus driver needs to strap his bike to the back of the bus.

Megan: Yeah, we were thinking about it.

KC: You guys spend an incredible amount of time together, not just at home but on stage, in the van, overseas. What's the secret to making both the marriage and band work?

Dylan: You know, I think It's come pretty natural to us, probably because we were bandmates before we were anything else.

KC: Mm-hmm.

Dylan: And, you know, I think kind of just the way that we sort of discovered that our relationship was bigger than just the music, or, you know, there was layers to it, the way that it all unfolded, we've sort of naturally gotten in a groove of, you know, we're able to wear both hats simultaneously and know, you know, when it's, when it's time to be married and when it's time to do business. You know, by no means do we ever sacrifice our marriage. It's definitely our priority and just a blessing. You know, the, the blessing of marriage and having a partner in this life is, for me, who I would be lost without it, um, it's absolutely invaluable.

Megan: Yeah.

Dylan: But, I think we both just always have had an understanding of, you know, where the line is and You know, a big part of any relationship, whether it's business, marriage, friendship, whatever, is just communication. And we always find time when we need to, to talk about the things we need to talk about. And, you know, it's just, it's an absolute blessing to get to do what you love with the person you love. You know, since we've met almost eight years ago, I think we've only spent maybe ten days apart. We've done everything together. We've literally— we've probably crammed ten years of marriage or dating, whatever, you know, probably 20 years at this point, uh, to the eight we've known each other. But, you know, we, we cherish this and, and it's something we never take for granted. And, uh, you know, it's, it's such a cool thing and, you know, we're just— we're thankful for every second of it.

KC: Nice.

Aaron: I know you talked about you know, surrounding yourself with community and whatnot, especially when you're on the road. So we've had a number of guests I probably could have asked this to, but I always forgot in the moment. But I think you guys are the right ones to bust this question out. So we've established you guys love being on the road. You toured. I think you— I think I heard in one of the other conversations that you were out for about 3 months straight at one point last year.

Megan: Yep!

Aaron: You're also a band that's rooted in faith, and I know that your church is very important to you. So I'm curious, how does being on the road so much impact your ability to stay involved with your faith community back home?

Megan: Yeah, I think, you know, for a very long time in doing this and being so busy, there's a lot of excuses in our life of, you know, you can't get involved in a community because you're gone so much. And there's a lot of parts of us that I think ran from it more so just because we didn't, we didn't feel like we could. It wasn't, you know, there was always the excuse of, oh, you know, I can't get tied into church, I can't get tied in where we're at because we'll be gone for six months or whatever. But, you know, we were thankful we moved to Tennessee. Um, I guess it's been about two years now. And, you know, for us, when we moved and we made this move, it was very important for us to get connected and stop making the excuses and stop finding reasons not to be involved in our local church. And for both of us, our faith life has always been, you know, there, but not necessarily always something we were, we were always putting first. And, you know, going into the past two years and seeing all the blessings that God has given us, even when we haven't necessarily been the most obedient or it hasn't necessarily, you know, listened and always followed and stuff, uh, you know, we felt it was time in our life and in our, in our marriage and in our, just in our, in our friendships and relationships and everything, that it was just time for us to find that root and to be grounded in that. And thankfully, we were blessed with the most incredible church, uh, that we, you know, that are so supportive of us as a band. Um, we played a show in Nashville, and I mean, our whole entire church came out to that show. Anyone from 20 years old to like 98.

Dylan: Seriously, yeah.

Megan: They were just like, they're just so incredibly supportive, and they never make us feel like when we're gone We are, we are, we— there's no, there's none of that. Like, when we return, it's like we return home. It's like we are welcomed with our open arms by our friends and our, and our people. And, you know, and then again, they just are so supportive. And I think that's really what made all the difference for us, because as rock— in a rock band and in a band that's on the road and doing like, you know, you're just, you're— there's a perception with that. And that's obviously not the life that we live. Uh, we are I would say we're pretty straight-edge rockers, you know, it's just the rock and roll, none of the other stuff for us.

KC: Yeah.

Megan: And, you know, to have such a— and again, we're so close to Nashville, so much of our community and our church is also rooted in music and the music scene as well. So they get it. And like, to have that when we get home, it is— it makes all the world of difference to refuel our tanks so we can go out and spread the good message of music and to have that joy be attached to what we're doing now. And I think it's changed everything about us and this band. And it's— and I would, I would suggest to every musician to find the time because it's worth it. And the right people will be there for you no matter what. Uh, they would like— they will support you, they will lead you, they'll guide you, and they'll help you through this very sometimes not so easy life that we live, uh, where you are gone so much. So to have that community support is is invaluable. And especially when that support is rooted in faith and guidance from our Savior, like, it is just— it's changed our lives. So, I highly suggest, it is possible. It is possible to have both.

Aaron: Awesome.

KC: Nice.

Aaron: Moving on to the album, huh?

Dan: Yeah!

Aaron: Yeah, I think it's time to talk about it.

Dan: Yeah. Hold the Mash is out now.

Megan: Yeah, it is!

Dan: I'm not gonna lie, I had to have them explain to me what that meant because I don't know what bangers and mash is. I've Never had it. Never heard of it.

Dylan: You got to pick up a copy of the vinyl. There's a, there's a recipe tucked inside for bangers and mash.

Megan: Yes.

Dan: Nice.

Dylan: You cave it at home.

Dan: That's, that's actually a sweet deal. You get a record and a recipe.

Megan: And a recipe.

Yeah. Yours truly, my deal. Dyl's pastime is a chef. So at least for me, just for me.

Aaron: Personal chef.

Dylan: Yeah.

Megan: Yeah.

Aaron: Love it.

Dylan: Live-in Personal Chef. That's my title.

Aaron: I'll throw that up there right now before we, before we get into it, actually, because the— I, I— one of the things I really appreciate about this album is the album cover and all of the, the Easter eggs and whatnot looking through on there.

The, the—

you get the calendar with the release date, you've got, uh, song titles, you've got little nuggets of, of, uh, you know, winks to various things that are happening on there. It's very fun.

Megan: Oh, thank you. We had a lot of fun with this one.

Dylan: Yeah.

Megan: And, and then when you get the vinyl and all of it too, uh, You know, there's a lot more inside as well. So it's, it's just a cool little piece. I think it's a fun— for me as a fan, it's something I would appreciate, you know. And so I hope that other people like it as well because it was fun to make.

Aaron: We like physical media, so that's exciting.

Megan: Yeah.

KC: Half of the album originated from a prior EP. So was that always the plan, was to just have the EP, or were you planning a full-length?

Dylan: Yeah, that the EP was never the plan. It's sort of just, uh, the, the way of the world and the music industry in, in 2026. It's, it's the world we live in where, you know, with the digital media, um, it does help to sort of have this constant flow of stuff coming out. You know, for us with touring and us being here in, in Nashville and our producer being in Philadelphia, the studio we record in, just the logistics behind finding time to be in the studio and, and get that stuff done. It took us a bit longer than we would have liked to get some new music out with this record. So just sort of with the way things went, you know, we were advised by the people that we trust, our manager and, you know, some of the PR guys that we work with, that we should put an EP out and, you know, kind of bridge the gap between the last record, and by the time we were done recording this one, to have the full thing. But, uh, we're both very romantic about the idea of a record and, and what that means. And like you said, that physical, you know, that piece that you get and you open and you read the lyrics and you, you know, you put it on, it's, it's a, it's a whole experience. Like a bottle of wine, you know, it's more than just crack it open and chug it, you know. You gotta, you gotta soak it in. You gotta savor it. So, it's sort of just the way that it happened, you know. And, I mean, it's all good. Like, I think we were able to kind of see like, hey, maybe we're on the right track with some of this stuff. And, it's just, it's the world we live in. So we're just trying to play our part in it. And if that means—

Aaron: There you go.

Dylan: Yeah, that means we got to release a couple singles and an EP. As long as the music gets out there and people hear it, that's all we care about.

Dan: One of our favorite things to ask about is artists' writing process and the recording process. So since your band is on the road so much, like, do you guys write on the road, or is that something you do in between touring?

Dylan: Yeah, I mean, we're kind of constantly writing. We don't really put a whole lot of emphasis or like, this is how we write a song or this is our process. Honestly, I feel like I've never really written a song. Songs kind of just come to you, you know. You just sort of have to be in a position, in a posture to receive the inspiration when it strikes. And with us being on the road, specifically with this record, with our guitar player Alex Bender being heavily involved in the writing process, you know, him and I have been able to collaborate in real time as that inspiration strikes, you know, whether it was a word or a riff. we were able to come to each other and be like, hey man, I had this idea, and kind of hash it out. And honestly, with this record, we sort of realized, you know, the more we got into writing songs, we would bring ideas that were independent of each other to the table, and it was like this— they would just mesh. Like, the words I was writing just happened to fit the vibe of the track that he had just recorded on his laptop in the back of the bus. And it all just sort of happened very naturally, which I think is the way it should happen. You know, if you're forcing and stuff, I think it's hard for it to be true or authentic to who you are and what you're doing and the life that you're living. And that's all we really aim to do is just be true to ourselves and write music that makes us happy, makes us feel something. And hopefully, you know, whoever it comes across their Spotify or their CD player or record player, it'll make them feel something too. So yeah, it's not like a real big X's and O's thing for us. Like, we We just try to be ready when the inspiration strikes, and if we're lucky enough to capture it, great. If not, we'll try again next time.

Dan: And since your, your live sound is so important to you guys, do you record live to tape as a full band, or do you track each instrument separately?

Dylan: Yeah, I mean, we've sort of, through the process of recording this record, we've made little tweaks and shifts to that whole Process with our first record, Jukebox Gypsies, it was really just Megan and I and our producer. So our producer played guitar, bass, keys, basically everything but the drums he recorded. So that one was very much recorded as a studio record, sort of polished and that type of process. With this one, throughout the record, it sort of evolved from more of that that type of situation to, uh, you know, towards the end what we were doing is like Alex and I would get in the room and he would record sort of a rhythm guitar track live in the room with the drums, um, and that would kind of be the foundation to build off of. You know, I think this band, our whole thing is the live show, and that's where our passion is. That's, that's I think where you're really able to see the personality of this band and what we're really about. So I think as we move into our next record cycle, it's going to be a little bit closer to that kind of like live in the room feeling, especially with the pieces that we have, you know, with our keyboard player Eric Safka and, you know, our other guitar player Will Tipton and bassist Kyle Priber. You know, we sort of feel like we have the pieces where we want them to be able to do that and go in and maybe get closer to capturing that live energy. It's tough to do, you know. You gotta harness that energy in a different way than when you're in front of a crowd or when you're in the studio. It's sort of two different mindsets. But yeah, I think we certainly saw an evolution to the way we get through recording some of our stuff, and we're excited to see kind of where that can branch off to and what the next record might sound like and look like.

KC: Yeah.

Dan: So I have a question about the album because I don't know if this was intentional or I, I just picked it up on a couple tracks. And I'll be honest, I apologize, I should have probably written it down which tracks it was. But there were a couple tracks that started off almost felt like it was a cover song. Like there was one that reminded me of like Joe Cocker, A Little Help from My Friends. And then like it kicks in to like your, your songs. So I'm curious, is that intentional to where it's like almost like a tribute to another song before like your guys' songs kick in?

Dylan: Yeah, I mean, we've actually, we've heard that quite a bit with that. That's Glass Eyes Crying.

Dan: Yes.

Dylan: We've heard that. And honestly, it wasn't really something that registered to us until people started saying it. And then, you know, you go back and you hear it and you're like, yeah, I could, I could see that. You know, I think our influences definitely bleed into our music. And, you know, we wouldn't have the opportunity to do what we're doing if it wasn't for the bands that came before us and, and laid the foundation and put in a lot of hard work and time to, uh, you know, make this genre what it is. And, uh, you know, if we can do something to pay homage to them, I think that's cool. One of my favorite quotes I've ever heard was from Chris Robinson. I think this is back when they were early on, like when they were opening for Aerosmith, I think it was. He did an interview and, uh, he talked about wanting to just be the next note in the song. And if you look at rock and roll, or if you look at music as one big song, going all the way back to David and his flute. It all tells a story. And it's a journey. And man, to get to just be one note in that song would be just the thrill of a lifetime. So whatever that means, we're just happy to be mentioned with these names. And I think there is a familiarity with our music to the past, but we try to kind of harness that and channel it in a direction that's fresh and new and vibrant, hopefully.

KC: Yeah, that's, that's definitely one thing that stands out is your ability to channel your influences, because like in Novocaine, there's a Robert Plant-esque howl in Letting Go, and it's just a great, great job.

Megan: Oh, thank you.

Dan: You know, and visuals are obviously very important to you. Your, your album cover looks like a kitchen from the 1950s. Your '70s rock influence all shows up on your stage attire, and you kind of have the vibe of like a band from a different era. So I'm just kind of curious, like, if you could have lived through any musical era firsthand, which one would you choose?

Megan: It would have to be the '70s.

Dylan: Yeah, late '60s, early '70s.

Megan: There, that was such like a, you know, there's so much that I think musicians today battle with, and that's just the fact that a lot of stuff has been done for the first time, you know, at this point. Um, and, you know, our— again, like he kind of was saying, like, our only goal is to just to start to bridge that gap. It's not, you know, there is a reinvention to the wheel, but the wheel has— is already there, you know what I mean? And to get to see some of those breakthroughs of, you know, I go back to the image of Led Zeppelin in that classroom. and they're playing rock and roll music for the first time, kind of. And it's like the kids are just like, I just have no idea what's happening. Like, to get to witness the first time of music done in that way and to get to— because, you know, there's not really any of that today. It's all— we've kind of been through it. We've kind of seen those elements appear and, you know, new styles and stuff do—

did they—

they ebb and they flow. But like, To see it be done for the first time like that, like Led Zeppelin, or the first time, you know, I think, uh, I think, um, you know, like Bob Dylan or like someone like that, where like you just get that first, that first moment with that type of music. And I just could only imagine being there for that. It would be crazy.

KC: Yeah.

Aaron: You mentioned how on your first record, you know, it's pretty much just you two and your producer. You know, in the meantime, you guys have filled out— you've, you're, as we mentioned also, you're a six-piece now. You've got other people who are very important to the process. You've got the new record. This feels like a very different era, different band than, you know, a few years ago. So I'm, I'm interested to hear, as we kind of wrap up regarding where Parker Barrow is and then, and Hold the Mash, do you feel like the band has kind of become what you imagined it would be when you first started it, or do you feel like at this point you're still in the process of discovering what it could become?

Dylan: I think it's a little of both. Like when I moved to Nashville and wanted to put together a band, um, I knew I wanted to put together a Southern rock band that was fronted by a female, um, just because that's something that you don't see a whole lot. I mean, don't get me wrong, there's tons of females in, in the rock genre that have, uh, paved the way and just amazing voices, songwriters, everything. But when it comes to the Southern rock genre, you know, there's not a whole lot that come to mind. So, um, I knew I wanted to do that, and honestly, I knew it was going to take finding the right voice and the right person, the right personality. Um, and Megan, you know, really over the last seven or eight years has just grown into, um, such an amazing frontwoman and vocalist and I think her energy is such a big part of what makes this band special and unique and different. And from there, the two of us kind of honing in on what was next after finding that was all the great Southern rock bands, they have two great lead guitar players. You just can't get around that. You've got to have that harmony and that kind of just balance.

KC: Yeah.

Dylan: And finding Alex, who is like the definition of the Les Paul through the Marshall, just, you know, rock and roll, Keith Richards swagger, you know, that whole thing. It was like, that's the guy, you know. And having him on board, and I mean, I couldn't tell you guys, really, there aren't words to express how much he adds to this band and what what this band has become since his involvement, you know, and then building on it from there, you know, with Will, our guitar player. Like, he's kind of the hippie, funky, psychedelic, like, yeah, you know, yeah man kind of—

Megan: The music, man!

Dylan: Counter, you know, to our guitar hero, Mr. Bender. And they just work so well together. It's so fun to watch those guys go back and forth and then adding Eric into the mix and his kind of psychedelic jam band background. He's just sort of a mad scientist crazy man that, you know, you just like let him go and let him do his thing.

Megan: Nobody puts baby in a corner.

Dylan: Yeah. You know, and then Kyle, our bass player, who sort of just ties it all together. It's just been really cool to watch this group kind of come together and It's just felt very natural and normal and just kind of just— it's just right. And I think there has been a vision that we've had. And I think as long as that vision continues to grow and we continue to find ways to make it happen, God willing, we'll keep doing this for a very, very long time and hopefully make music that's meaningful.

Aaron: We're here for it. Our last section we try to get to with everybody is called Burning Questions, and that's more artists talking about other artists. And so, and being mindful of time, we might only get to one on this one, but I'm gonna throw it out there anyway. This is the question we ask everyone: what is a song or an album that's changed your life?

Dylan: You want me to go?

Megan: You go first.

Dylan: Okay.

Aaron: Oh, they know already. They're prepared for this.

Dylan: Yeah, so for me, like, one way I've heard this question phrased is like, if you went to outer space and you could only take one record with you, what record would you take? And my answer, hands down, without a doubt, is Amorica by The Black Crowes. I know it, like, it's kind of their least popular record, at least when it comes to those first three. It's the one that, like, didn't go multi-platinum or whatever, but their approach to that record and the attitude behind that record, it was totally like, I don't care what's happening in the world and what people are telling us our music should sound like. This is what the Black Crowes sound like.

Megan: Mm-hmm.

Dylan: And it just— there's not a song on that record that I could skip when I listen to it. I listen to the whole thing. And honestly, Megan, she gets probably tired of it because I'll put it on back to back to back like three times in a row and never get tired of it. Like, I think last year on our Spotify Wrapped or whatever, it was like 95% Amorica.

Megan: Mm-hmm.

Dylan: Because I, I'm a little bit obsessed with it. I just, I love that record and the attitude behind it. And that was right like smack dab in the middle of the grunge thing when that was happening. And it's, it's just not that. It's them, unapologetically. So totally, Amorica. I love that record. I could listen to it for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.

Megan: And for me, like, I guess albums for me were a bit different growing up. I, I wasn't really exposed to the Southern rock or rock and roll scene until much later in life, uh, really when I met him 21 years old. So I would say really, I mean, Amorica is one of those records for me because it's one of the first records I ever really listened to like that. There's a few other, I guess, albums. There's the Whiskey Myers album that I remember really kind of changing. I think it's the self-titled album.

Dylan: Yeah.

Megan: That one really kind of changed my— it was one of the first records I heard in that genre, and I remember it changing my perspective on music in general. And just getting to hear something like that for the first time and feeling connected to it was just— it was just a different experience. 'Cause for me growing up, I listened to songs that were on the radio and I listened to songs that my dad played in the kitchen. It wasn't necessarily like listening to an album and appreciating the art form of an album until really The Black Crowes or, you know, the Whiskey Myers album that really when I changed my perspective on what an album can mean and how it should sound and how it should make you feel and the ebbs and the flows and the way Just the way that it's— it is a curation of a period of time for that artist and that band. And that's how we approach ours as well. So really, those, those two, I would say, for me.

KC: That's awesome. One really quick one here to end it here. Aside from bangers and mash, what's the most interesting thing you ate while on the UK tour?

Dylan: So, interesting? I mean, there's not a whole lot of interesting.

Megan: I'm sorry, y'all.

Dylan: Yeah.

Aaron: Best is also an option.

We're taking recommendations in case we ever get to the UK as well.

Dylan: There's, there's two things, and I'm a foodie. I mean, like, half of the reason, you know, that we pick the cities we go and we play in is to try the local cuisine. Like, I, I love food. So there's two that really stuck out over there. There's this place, it was at the two— it was like a stand at the two festivals we played.

Megan: Oh, yeah!

Dylan: Called Rock and Roll Toasties.

Megan: Toasties.

Dylan: And a toastie is just like a grilled cheese cheese, but this is like the grilled cheese of all grilled cheeses, and they're all named after like different bands. The one I had was the Metallica one. It had like pepperoni and ham and bacon, and like, it was so good. Oh, it was. I think I had four of them. Over the two festivals. I had two at both festivals. And then the other thing we had, which has become just our favorite, uh, There's this town called Leek. It's like a very, very small town. I can't even think of a town small enough to like equate it to here in the States. But there's this little— they call them chippies— fish and chip restaurant called Monty's. And man, like, we ate our weight in fish and chips over there. But Monty's is like hands down the best you will ever have.

Megan: The best.

Dylan: Honestly, it was so good.

Megan: We did have it twice.

Dylan: The day we played in Leek, we had it for lunch and for dinner. So if you ever find yourself in the small town of Leek outside of Shropshire, you got to find Monty's and you got to have the fish and chips. It's amazing.

KC: Awesome.

Aaron: Love it. We got to start ending with food questions more often. That's good business.

Dylan: Yeah, dude, that's like the way to my heart. I don't know if you saw me light up when you started talking food, but I'm like, let's go.

Aaron: I've got a Chicago fish and chips recommendation for you we'll get to after we wrap up here. But thank you guys for joining us. It's been a pleasure. We, we're so happy to have you.

Megan: Yeah, thank y'all for having us. Yes, thank you.

Aaron: Let's go ahead and get sending them on their way.

Dan: So thank you very much for listening to The Itch Podcast. My name is Dan.

KC: I'm KC.

Aaron: I'm Aaron.

Megan: Megan Kane.

Dylan: Dylan Turner. We're Parker Barrow.

Dan: And until next time, can we all have a piece of the pie?

Megan: Oh, nice! Nice.

Dylan: That was well done.

Megan: Well done, sir.

-----

Aaron: If you enjoyed what you heard in this episode, please subscribe and tell a friend about The Itch.

KC: Check out the show notes for links about the episode as well as our new music playlist and where you can hear us every Sunday night.

Dan: And you can interact with us at itchrocks.com or on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail, all at itchrocks. I-T-C-H-R-O-C-K-S.

-----

Aaron: That's one of our favorite parts is like, let's find a good lyric to throw in at the end.

Dylan: Oh, that's cool, man. That's so cool.

KC: Yeah. What's the best is when the artist doesn't register that it's their lyric.

Dylan: Yeah.

Aaron: They're like, That sounds familiar. And there's one person, they're, they're being sincere. They're like, where do I know that from? We're like, you wrote it. That's where you know it from.