Key to the Highway: Israel Nash

Fans always clamor to learn more about their favorite, most beloved musicians and those who travel with them. There’s such an allure to the road, with its serendipity, inevitable surprises, and sometimes unexpected discomforts. This interview series is a set of questions we are asking some of our favorite roots rock Americana artists to get to know more about them and what they’ve learned and experienced on the road. We are sure they have key insights to share and stories to tell. Here’s one from Israel Nash.

Americana Highways: How do you like your coffee or other morning wake-up beverage?

Israel Nash: Some milk, frothy on the top.

AH: What’s the most interesting or strangest motel/hotel or place you have stayed (while on the road?)

IN: I used to tour in an RV that was outfitted with bunks, 5 band members, soundman, and TM, that was, I guess, interesting.

AH: If one CD is stuck in the player in the van for the entire tour, what do you hope it is? And why?

IN: Astral Weeks. Lots of long drives through the country and I want landscape music. Stuff to chill and think or drift. That album is full of good drifters.

AH: What’s one personal item you must have with you on your road trip?

IN: Paper/pen

AH: What is your relationship with food? How do you handle this on the road, and what’s your favorite dish on the road, (or restaurant, and what do you order there)?

IN: I think the hamburger is generally a universally pleasing option almost anywhere. I love those things and they are of the plenty all over the world. Had a killer burger in Sweden last year.

AH: If you could pause your life for a few weeks and spend some time living in a place you only have passed through, which would you choose, and why?

IN: If I could pause my life?…..hmmm wonder what that feels like. L.A. is always a hang, I keep talking about living a month or two there at some point, also Amsterdam. But only for a few months max, I like it here in the hill country of TX quite a bit.

AH: What quote or piece of advice have you gotten from someone on the road that has really stuck with you?

IN: Do laundry whenever the opportunity presents itself. You see a washing machine in a venue, use it. Otherwise you’ll be washing undies in the hotel sink.

Find all things Israel Nash here: http://www.israelnash.com

See other Key to the Highway interviews here: https://americanahighways.org/category/interviews/key-to-the-highway-series/ (click here for: Bloodkin Ben Nichols Bruce Cockburn Charlie Musselwhite Nicki Bluhm Jim White Danny Barnes Patterson Hood Jerry Joseph BJ Barham Rodney Crowell Todd Snider Elizabeth Cook Tommy Womack Eric Ambel, Dan Baird, Robbie Fulks, Malcolm Holcombe Jon Langford Steve Poltz, Lilly Hiatt Sarah Shook & the Disarmers )