The past couple of years have been a whirlwind for Midland, having released two albums, including their latest album, Let It Roll, featuring “Cheatin’ Songs,” which is their current single, and having toured almost non-stop. So, as much as they would like to get back out on the road and back to work, this unexpected break due to the coronavirus might be just what they needed.
Before signing a record deal, Midland was just like every other hopeful Nashville band, playing bars, traveling the country in a van or truck, and barely scraping by at times, and while they were working hard back then, they quickly learned, after signing their deal, that there was so much they couldn’t have anticipated about the pace and the demands of being professionals in the music business. Bassist Cameron Duddy admits, “We were absolutely 100 percent unprepared for the commitments that come with being a professional touring business act, because no one could really prepare you for that.”
The guys were never gonna give up, and they weren’t afraid of hard work. “We were prepared to go the distance, and we were prepared as musicians to rise to the occasion,” says Cameron, “but as far as being able to see what was gonna be in front of us, no. And there’s probably for good reason no one tells you because it would be too daunting if someone sat us down and goes, “Alright, so next three years, here’s what they look like.”
Lead singer Mark Wystrach agrees. He says, “The learning curve has been like 120 story building and you’re going up the stairs. And I think we’ve learned so much.”
There have definitely been times when each one of them has hit a bit of a wall, but Mark says, “That reason that we’re here today and we’ve survived that is the bond between the three of us. We’ve picked each other up along the way and everybody stumbles, and everybody’s gotten close to losing their minds.”
After this unexpected, extended time off at home with their families, Midland will no doubt be charged up and ready to hit the road full steam ahead, as soon as they get the green light.
Midland – prepared for music business :48
Cameron Duddy – “We were absolutely 100 percent unprepared for the commitments that come with being a professional touring business act, because no one could really prepare you for that. We were prepared to go the distance, and we were prepared as musicians to rise to the occasion, but as far as being able to see what was gonna be in front of us, no. And there’s probably for good reason no one tells you because it would be too daunting if someone sat us down and goes, “Alright, so next three years, here’s what they look like.”
Mark Wystrach – “The learning curve has been like 120 story building and you’re going up the stairs, and I think we’ve learned so much. But that reason that we’re here today and we’ve survived that is the bond between the three of us. We’ve picked each other up along the way and everybody stumbles, and everybody’s gotten close to losing their minds.”