Wednesday, April 25, 2012

On the road again

Braun led Micky and the Motorcars back to say hi, y’all

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By JENNIFER LIEBRUM
Express Staff Writer

Micky and the Motorcars are, from left, Gary Braun, Dustin Schaefer, Micky Braun, Shane Vannerson and Joe Fladger. Courtesy photo by Christopher McCoy

Idaho launched this branch of the Braun family tree, which moved to Austin, Texas, to expand their horizons and access to resources. That's put the potato state on the map for audiences around the country.

Micky Braun took time out to answer a few questions before the band's upcoming show at Whiskey Jacques' in Ketchum on Saturday, April 28.

IME: So I guess the latest news is the tour with the Mike McClure Band. How did that happen and what makes that exciting for you?

We've known Mike for a long time and have done tours and festivals with him throughout the years. We always have a great time out on the road with those guys. We get along great and our music fits well together, which I feel helps a lot for drawing larger crowds, getting people to the shows early and keeping them there until the very end. Another exciting part of the tour is getting back up in the Midwest and playing all the cities in that area and seeing some old friends and fans.

Any other news?

We're working up new songs for a new record here in Austin in the new year as well as talking about doing a live bootleg album over in Germany this fall. We went on our first tour over there in December and returned for a second tour there in January. The second tour was a blast and very well received considering we had only been there once before. On the last night of the tour, our German-based record label, Blue Rose Records, sat us down to discuss the possibility of recording a live record over there. We're still batting ideas back and forth across the pond, but it's looking real good.

What are you bringing here to the Ketchum concert?

< We'll roll in to Whiskey's in our normal fashion. A little beat up from the night before, but still very excited to be home in Idaho and ready to play some new music and party with all our friends.

When you're in Texas, do you try to be Texan or does it make you unique to Texans that you're from Idaho?

No, I definitely don't try to be a Texan. After living here for 10 years it can rub off on you, though. I'll find myself throwing out the occasional y'all. I wear Idaho like a badge of honor, though. I was born in Sun Valley and and grew up on the Salmon River near Clayton, spending most of my time running around in Stanley and Challis. Idaho is where my heart is and I will always call it home. I think everyone in our band has a lot of pride for their home states. Obviously, Gary is from Idaho, Shane is from Kansas, Dustin and Joe are both from Texas.

Did you have to leave Idaho to get as big as you've gotten? Any plans on coming back?

Unfortunately, Idaho isn't the greatest state to base a band out of. It was the perfect place to cut our teeth playing the long, four-hour sets a couple nights a week in all the old bars. But it's hard to tour across the U.S. all year-round when you're based that far north. We found Austin was a great fit for us with plenty of places to play, centrally located and a very musically driven city with much more room for the band to grow. As far as ever moving back, I'm not sure. I do have a place in Idaho and visit every chance I get.

I'm a rare Texas transplant trying to figure out how I got here and why to stay in Idaho. What's there to know about Idaho (this area in particular) that people might not, or don't fully appreciate?

Idaho has a ton of great things to offer—skiing, hiking, playing golf, hunting, whitewater rafting or just sitting around drinking beer having a great time. I think what I miss most that locals forget is how beautiful it is and how laid back everyone is. I also miss having four seasons.

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