Minnesota's well-traveled musicians offer road-trip advice

It's a big part of American lore: to hit the open road, see the country, expect the unexpected and lose track of how much gas, coffee, Corn Nuts and beef jerky you've consumed.

For touring musicians like Dessa, Charlie Parr and Har Mar Superstar, however, going on a road trip is a big part of the job.

The average time a member of a rock or hip-hop group spends on stage is typically about a tenth of the time he or she spends traveling to get to the next stage. Especially in the digital age — when album sales pay off about as often as pulltabs at a Nevada truck stop — music makers have to find a way to make long hauls across the country both affordable and endurable, and perhaps even enjoyable.

For us amateur road-trippers who are heading out on the highway for vacation this August — or anytime — there's a lot we can learn from these professionals who pile on the miles for their work.

Packing and planning

Eric Pollard (singer/guitarist in Actual Wolf): "For those real long hauls, it's best to have a sleeping bag in the back. Make sure there's air in the spare, too, and it's a full-size tire."

Craig Minowa, singer in Cloud Cult: "Packing [clothes] in a homogenized way is the best approach. The fewer options you have for aesthetic vs. practicality on any day to get yourself going is good. I bring a dozen black T-shirts and several pairs of similar-looking pants. It keeps it easy and interchangeable."

Molly Moore, singer in Communist Daughter: "I make a point to really clean the house before we leave. The last day before leaving can be frantic, but after being gone for a month, coming home to a clean house is a small but very great feeling."

Staying loyal

Dessa, rapper, singer and Doomtree member: "Track and earn those hotel points; they add up. Same with the credit card: You'll be charging a small fortune in gas and lodging, might as well earn some rewards along the way."

Sean Tillmann, aka R&B/rock singer Har Mar Superstar: "I've learned it's just worth it to spend the extra $15 or whatever on a Hampton Inn. They're comfortable, clean and all the rooms come with those handy lap desk things where you can just lie on the bed and use your laptop."

Staying fed

Craig Minowa: "We always look up where the nearest co-op or Whole Foods Market is to our hotel in each city and stock up on fresh, locally grown groceries, because as soon as you get on the interstate you're stuck with McDonald's and convenience stores. We got a powered cooler for the van a couple of years ago, and it's been great. You don't have to mess around with ice, you just plug it in in the hotel and plug it in the car and can take it with you."

Dessa: "I basically live off the veggie sandwiches from Subway when I'm on the road. It's really the only reliable menu item you can find just about everywhere that's relatively healthy and fresh. And after reading Michael Pollan's 'Omnivore's Dilemma' and worrying a little more about locally sourced stuff, Chipotle is a strong second."

Charlie Parr, acoustic blues/folk picker, who famously cooks meals on his engine's exhaust manifold (usually an hour or so): "It's all things you can buy everywhere and keep and store: red lentils, beans, rice, and then tin foil to wrap it in. And then add whatever fresh veggies you can find, and spices [he likes curry powder, garlic and habañero peppers]. It's a lot better than fast food and other garbage that seems to be all you can get in a lot of places. I get a sense of accomplishment this way, but I didn't do nothing, really. Just saved some money."

Johnny Solomon, leader of Communist Daughter: "Resist the continental-breakfast waffle bar. You basically have to eat out three-plus times a day, so unless it's some magical brunch, keep it simple and save your stomach. Oatmeal and toast: boring but safe. And eat locally, wherever you go. A touring musician's life is 75 percent waiting for things. So I spend that time looking up local restaurants and coffee shops and reading comments to see where the locals go. Then I go there."

Molly Moore (Solomon's bandmate and wife): "Just because your husband is looking up restaurants and coffee shops in every town and getting excited to stop, that doesn't mean you have to order something with him — because he goes jogging every freaking morning and doesn't seem to gain any weight eating bagels, cupcakes and mac and cheese in every state."

Staying connected

Eric Foss, drummer for Sonny Knight & the Lakers: "Chromebook ($200), HDMI cable ($15) and hotspot service for iPhone ($5/month). You can work while going down the road. When at a hotel with Wi-Fi, connect the Chromebook to the TV and fire up Net­flix or Amazon. Also, some apps you will find useful include Yelp!, Airbnb, HomeAway, and Google Maps (don't use Apple maps, it is trash). Lastly, try to have as many phone and laptop charging stations as possible on board."

Staying odorless

Jeremy Messersmith, singer/songwriter: "Last tour I bought a miniature rose bush that fit right in a cupholder. It made the long drives a little more beautiful and also mitigated some of odors that occur when you cram a bunch of people in a van."

Dessa: "Pack a sturdy, waterproof plastic bag for your dirty clothes. If they're sweaty when you peel them off at night, they often won't dry before you have to pack them again. It's in everyone's best interest to make sure they don't mingle with the next day's outfit."

Eric Pollard: "Cucumber-melon scent Swiffers."

Har Mar Superstar: "If you're spending the night with anyone else in your hotel room, you really have to practice good bathroom etiquette. … The best thing to do is go down to the bathroom in the hotel lobby or by the pool, if there is one. Or just flush it down right away, even before you finish. You don't want to stink up the whole room and have to all sit there and act like you don't smell it."

Staying sane

Craig Minowa: "Blindfolds and earplugs are invaluable. That way, you can turn any place into a quiet spot."

Erik Berry, mandolinist in Trampled by Turtles: "No matter where we are, it helps to take the time to go see your surroundings. I like to find a good local place to have coffee. I like to find used book stores, interesting places to eat. I like to go for a walk if I can. Otherwise, it kind of all just becomes a blur — a disorienting blur."

Justin Pierre, singer in Motion City Soundtrack: "One thing that drives me crazy is when you stay on the interstates and everything starts to look the same: the same Starbucks, the same chain restaurants. When you're in a band, you have to take the most direct route to the next gig. I think it helps if you make a point of getting off the interstates and seek out the strange coffee shops or the kind of weird places that might wind up in a Neil Gaiman book."

Johnny Solomon: "When you travel, you will always be a little tired, so trying to truly recharge is a trap. You will never recharge no matter how much free time you have at the hotel, so just embrace the travel tired and get all you can out of it."

Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658

@ChrisRstrib