House show FAQ

What exactly is a house show? 

It is, technically speaking, a show in a house: you bring together your community, maybe you feed them or give them drinks (your call), I tell stories and sing songs for 45-60 minutes, then people hang out and eventually leave. I’ve probably played some 100+ house shows in around 40 states, from teenagers in DC to retirees in Idaho. I love house shows because (1) I don’t have to worry about filling a venue or convincing people to buy drinks; (2) people really listen to the stories and music, and I get to know folks better; and (3) it’s generally a more meaningful and memorable experience. No fourth wall and all.

Do I need to have a big house to host?

No. I’ve performed in crawl spaces and in yoga studios, college basements and corporate offices. You just need a space big enough to fit your community.

How many people do I need to bring?

Up to you. I once drove 7 hours to play for 3 people. I once walked 15 minutes to play for 1500 people. The median is probably 20 people.

Will you play in my backyard?  

Tough one. As I said, a house show is, technically speaking, a show in a house. This is important to me because, having played dozens of outdoor gigs, I’ve found that people are understandably more interested in the neighbors fighting or the chance of rain. It often compromises the intimacy that makes the house show worthwhile. I’ve been more flexible with this in light of the pandemic, so feel free to make your case.

How do I get people to come? 

My wife Torrey can provide a digital flyer and a link to purchase tickets, but it’s ultimately up to you to rally your community. With your permission, we’ll also post the name of your city (not your address) to let potential listeners know we’re coming. This can help us reach our financial goal.

How much does this cost, and how do I pay for it?

It really depends on the circumstances, especially timing and convenience. Some hosts pay a flat-fee to avoid tickets, others rely on ticket sales via our provided ticket link, and others do a mix of both. Either way, we’ll only figure out the details if/after you’ve decided to fill out the interest form, below.

Would you stay with us? 

So kind of you to offer, sure thing. I usually travel with my wife Torrey and sometimes our small dog Lola, who sleeps in her crate. We’d love a bed or couches, but we can probably bring an air mattress. And if something comes up, no worries. We’d just ask you to cover lodging elsewhere.

Will it be awkward/weird? 

Another tough one. This is an expedition into the musical-spiritual-tragical-comical mythos of your living room or spare loft. I once played hospice songs for a group of dancing flower children in a field of confederate flags, confirming what we already know: we live in a strange, unpredictable world. But I’ve done this for a while now, so no, it probably won’t be awkward.

I am SOLD. Now what do I do? 

Just fill out the form below–Torrey will reach out if it seems like a good fit.