Creator Chats: Restorations and Wild Pink

Welcome to Creator Chats - a conversation among two groups, bands or people in the music industry. Today we welcome Jon of Restorations and John of Wild Pink.

photo: Emily Dubin

John of Wild Pink: Who are your biggest musical influences

Jon of Restorations: Bill Callahan, Jay Spaceman, and John K. Samson 

Do you have a favorite Restorations show? If so, why?

The first Fest show at Loosey's in Gainesville will always be my favorite. It was the first time we'd really been out on tour and had a crowd yelling back the words. We had no idea what we were doing, but I had a great time. 

What’s your favorite city/venue to play on tour?

Chicago's been our second home for a while now. Every time we go back is better than the last. So cool being in a place with that much music history

Any good podcast suggestions for our tour?

I'll get yelled at online for this, but I really only listen to Chapo Trap House and a stray This American Life episode here and there.  

photo: Hayden Sitomer

Jon of Restorations: What was the last Mark Kozelek record you'd go to bat for? 

John of Wild Pink: I kinda liked the one where he sings his favorite covers from 2 years ago though the last record of his I'd really go to bat for is Ghosts Of The Great Highway. Songs for a Blue Guitar was also a huge record for me. Much as I love Jesu that colab didn't really do it for me. 

If budget and stage size were no concern, how many musicians would you have in your band and what would they all do?

We'd definitely have a dedicated pedal steel player as well as a keyboardist and another guitar player. Maybe a horn player too. 

Brooklyn seems like the most impractical place to be a band. How do you make it work?

It’s a constant struggle. Pretty much we all work a lot and try to make the most of touring. 

Who is your most embarrassing musical influence? 

Probably Sammy Kershaw.

Restorations & Wild Pink Tour Dates

10/09 - Washington, DC at Songbyrd
10/10 - Pittsburgh, PA at The Smiling Moose w/ Signals Midwest
10/11 - Columbus, OH at Big Room Bar w/ Signals Midwest
10/12 - Cleveland, OH at Grog Shop (Signals Midwest's 10-Year Anniversary Party)
10/13 - Chicago, IL at The Empty Bottle w/ Signals Midwest
10/14 - Milwaukee, WI at Cactus Club
10/16 - Hamtramck, MI at The Sanctuary
10/17 - Toronto, ON at The Garrison
10/18 - Buffalo, NY at Rec Room
10/19 - Asbury Park, NJ at Asbury Park Brewery
10/20 - Brooklyn, NY at Rough Trade
10/21 - Philadelphia, PA at The First Unitarian Church