Rose’s Pawn Shop photo from the band website
Americana Highways’ Key to the Highway series
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 for music. We are sure they have key insights to share and stories to tell. Here’s one from Stephen Andrews, bassist for Rose’s Pawn Shop.
Americana Highways: How do you like your coffee or other morning wake-up beverage?
Stephen Andrews: I guess I should start at the beginning which is fitting considering my coffee “dependency” started with the band. I didn’t drink coffee until I was about 30 y/o. We did more overnight drives back then and I’d take the 2nd shift often 3am until a few hours after sunrise. Flying J coffee was the only thing available (add weird dispenser creamer). These days I’m much more sophisticated, Starbucks pike place with a splash of half and half (until the color of cardboard).
AH: What’s the most interesting or strangest motel/hotel or place you have stayed (while on the road for music?)
SA: Most interesting would be hard to nail down but high on my list would be McCarthy Alaska while playing The Potato. We get put up in these amazing cabins that are basic but also fancy in subtle ways. *Aurora Borealis sightings help. (10/10)
AH: If one CD is stuck in the player in the van for the entire tour, what do you hope it is? And why?
SA: Probably Babbel so I would be forced to learn Spanish.
AH: What’s one personal item you must have with you on your road trip?
SA: I find a vest (preferably down outdoorsy type) to be helpful. Extra pockets are nice and a little warmth if you need it. Also packs down very small.
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)?
SA: My relationship with food is healthfully unhealthy, I am “food motivated”. It causes me slight anxiety.. I’ll buy anything with green chili.
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?
SA: See question #1. McCarthy AK *summer
AH: What quote or piece of advice have you gotten from someone on the road that has really stuck with you?
SA: I don’t know who I would credit but traveling light is the way to go.
Find the latest information here on their website: https://rosespawnshop.com
See other Key to the Highway interviews here: https://americanahighways.org/category/interviews/key-to-the-highway-series/ (click here for: Todd Snider Todd Park Mohr Jim Lauderdale Vince Herman Jimmy Smith Ben Nichols Bruce Cockburn Charlie Musselwhite Nicki Bluhm Jim White Danny Barnes Patterson Hood Jerry Joseph BJ Barham Rodney Crowell Elizabeth Cook Tommy Womack Eric Ambel, Dan Baird, Robbie Fulks, Malcolm Holcombe Jon Langford Steve Poltz, Lilly Hiatt Sarah Shook & the Disarmers Sadler Vaden )
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