For The Teskey Brothers, ‘slow touring’ in ‘Dad mode’ is their jam
While performing their soulful blues-rock songs to European audiences, these musical siblings have struck upon a rare work-life balance — and will soon support The Boss in Italy.
While performing their soulful blues-rock songs to European audiences, chart-topping musical siblings Josh and Sam Teskey have struck upon a rare work-life balance.
Having played extensively here and abroad since forming The Teskey Brothers in the north Melbourne suburb of Warrandyte 15 years ago, the pair are presently trialling a new family-friendly approach: “slow touring”.
Rather than packing in as many overseas shows as possible in a short time frame, they have chosen to limit the eight-piece touring band to two shows each weekend, while spending the rest of the week travelling in “dad mode”, with their partners and young children.
“It’s been beautiful,” Josh, 35, told The Australian on a call from Bristol. “I’m having the time of my life doing this one. It’s really fun being here, and feeling like you’re kicking arse as a family.”
Their third album, titled The Winding Way, is released on Friday, three years after The Teskey Brothers became the first act since AC/DC to top the ARIA chart with a live album.
Later this year, the band will undertake a similarly slow-paced Australian tour, to begin in Adelaide on November 19 and end in Hobart on February 2.
“It’s not all roses – it’s hard work travelling around with kids as well,” said the singer. “But all in all, I think it’s a better system than leaving for a big period of time.
“That was the last thing I wanted to do, and with my kids, I’m really trying to avoid that,” said the elder Teskey. “I’ve been in their life the whole time and never left them for more than a day or two, leading up to this, so it’s just trying to keep that going. It’s working: we’re making it happen, and we’re loving it.”
Before touring their homeland later this year, the group has the honour of sharing the stage with one of their heroes in Monza, Italy on July 25, when The Teskey Brothers play as support act to Bruce Springsteen and his mighty E Street Band.
“The big B!” replied Teskey with a laugh when the subject was raised. “It’s a definitely a ‘pinch yourself’ sort of moment. We’re really honoured to be sharing the stage with him, and have that opportunity. What a cool thing.”
“I’ve always been a big fan of his music, but with this gig coming up, we’ve been working our way through the catalogue of different eras of Bruce Springsteen, and there’s some really beautiful stuff in there,” he said. “We’re definitely looking at that one on the calendar and counting down the days.”
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