toured in parts of Europe before -- we've done a very brief stint in

Switzerland, and we also toured in the U.K., a tiny bit in Ireland. But

this was our first full-throttle tour where we kinda let it all hang

out. And it totally worked. You just gotta get in front of people, and

that's how the fire gets started. 

so long that I think it's easy to forget how new we are, how rare we

are to other people. We kind of take it for granted because our crowd

knows what we do. So going out there and being in front of people who've

never seen us before, it's a really refreshing perspective for

musicians.

going to be one thing and it ended up being something completely

different?
Yeah, I mean, I wasn't ready for the reaction. We had a

pretty dramatic reaction from people, just basically saying, "Where have

I been and what have I been doing not knowing about you guys?" And

that's, you know, I hate to even toot my own horn. [laughs] I don't like

to brag. It was just really killer. 

surprised me was a big troupe of Americans that flew over for the whole

tour and actually followed us. That was another unexpected twist that

was just superfun and just cool to see those people on an intimate level

and see them every night and go, "Hey! It's you again!"

yeah! [laughs] Some are not printable! One of the most exceptional

nights and days was St. Patrick's Day in Dublin, Ireland. We just

happened to be there. I mean, it was a full-on accident. But it was an

epic night -- a night to remember on every level. The whole band was

together, and we went out pubbing and just basically let it all hang out

because nobody knew who we were! We were just like every other crazy,

freewheeling, drunk Irish person who was out on the streets that night.

There's a video, actually, of me street-dancing with a stranger. I just

broke into dance at one point, and you can see it online -- I actually

tweeted it. I was just completely possessed by the Irishness of it all.

But it was a really great night. 

was just going to ask if you have any advice or secrets on how you've

done so well. You must have good chemistry playing together for so long.
No,

of course. I think a big part of music is about being around people

that believe in you and that you believe in, and having mutual respect.

One of the greatest things about our band is just how much we all

respect each other and enjoy each other's company. It takes a lot to

stay together for as many years as we all have. Me and Matt and Scott

got together over ten years ago, really, at college. And now we've added

Benny -- four years ago, Benny joined. And then Michael came about a

year and a half ago. 

that builds the band and makes the band who we are comes from

respecting each other and loving to be around each other. Because we

really are a family, and it's like a marriage. And I'm not saying it is a

marriage [laughs], but there is a sense of commitment that you really

put toward not just one person, but the entire group. And that's really

all I have to say about that.

You've already worked and toured with some of the headliners, like Kenny

Chesney and the Avett Brothers. Are you excited to all reunite down

South?
Absolutely, I can't wait to see everybody. It's been too long.

Well, with the Avetts, we've been in Europe, so we're totally sick of

each other. [laughs] I'm just kidding. No, it'll be great to see Kenny

and the Avetts. 

you know, I'd love to get a remix. I always thought that would be cool,

to hear kind of like a dance-floor version of what we do and to also

get some other producers' perspectives on what we do. Because it's hard,

for me anyway, to go into the club and hear some of the music that they

play. Some of it's awesome, but a lot of times it's like, Ugh, I just

want 'em to remix one of our songs! I think it would be fun to get some

tunes that work for our modern disco era. [laughs]

Tortuga Music Festival. With

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, the Avett

Brothers, and others. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 13

and 14, at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, 1100 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort

Lauderdale. Visit tortugamusicfestival.com. Tickets cost $99 to $649

plus fees.