Meet The Spree.

The Polyphonic Spree Are Documenting Their World Tour For Us. First, Let’s Get To Know Them.

Over the course of the next few weeks, one of Dallas’ most influential bands, The Polyphonic Spree, will literally be touring around the entire world, performing shows in South Korea, Australia, France and the United Kingdom before coming home for a gig on Friday, August 9, at the Granada Theater.

There’s good reason for all this to-do, too: On August 5, the band will release Yes, It’s True, its fifth studio LP since forming in 2000 (or, OK, just fourth if you don’t count last year’s HolidayDream: Sounds of the Holidays Vol. One as a standard LP issue).

Also supremely cool: As the band travels and prepares for that big homecoming gig where they’ll officially celebrate the new album’s release, they’ll be documenting their trip exclusively for us — an honor we don’t take lightly.

Before we share the band’s first of many dispatches, though, let’s get to know the band’s many members.

How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “All of them, no idea how many.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I have another band called Preteen Zenith. I love to fish!”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “It never gets old. I love these people!”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “Finances are a killer most always, but hanging out with so many people keeps me on my toes.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Watching movies, hands down.”

How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Too many to know for sure, but a rough estimate is probably around 30 or so.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I own and operate a company called Placid Audio that builds boutique specialty effect microphones.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “Getting to travel the world and play music with my wife and good group of friends.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best part? There’s rarely a dull moment with so many different and dynamic personalities. The worst part? The lack of privacy and personal space.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane?
“I like to be on the internet if the bus/plane actually has it.”

How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “All of them. I did miss a few one-offs in May and the recent Bonnaroo festival in June.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I’m a passionate cook with an underground restaurant, Frank, and a love for living life to the fullest.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “The music, the friendships and the culinary exploration of different cities and cultures.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best is that you always have a dining companion. The worst is trying to get a reservation for the whole band.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “On the bus, I play poker, binge-watch TV shows I’m too busy to watch when home, and sleep. On the plane I embrace the fact that my phone has to be off and just check out with a glass of wine and a great film.”

How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “However many have happened in the last eight years. :)”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I am a member of the PGA tour.” [Editor’s note: We think he’s kidding. You never know with this band, though.]
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “Making music!”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “There’s never a dull moment.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Movies.”

How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Maybe 10 or 12.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I play music in many capacities. I do other touring gigs, recording sessions and wedding bands, and I have a solo project. At times, I’ve done some teaching as well.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “Everyone in the band is really awesome to be around. I really enjoy hanging out, as well as learning from everyone.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The worst? Too much gear. The best? There’s lots of people to load gear.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “On the bus, I play guitar. On the plane, I read/sleep.”

How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Many.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “Teach cello, work on my solo project Anaphase, work on a recently launched business (Rockestra), write music, studio session work, play with my dog, kayak, sleep, eat and repeat.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “Performing on stage with the amazing musicians that this band is made of.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “What worst part? I”m living the dream!”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “I do not like flying. Working on my laptop and playing with Ableton Live.”

How long have you been in the band? “Five-and-a-half years.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Six-ish extended tours, and several one-offs.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “Make music, teach private lessons (guitar, bass, piano and drums), play golf, pool, aspire.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “Aside from the shows and occasional celebrity sightings, my favorite thing is exploring new towns and finding good cold brew coffee, vegan restaurants and vintage clothing and guitar stores.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best part is it never gets boring. The worst part is probably just logistical stuff and limited space on stage, which ultimately aren’t a big deal.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Sleeping, playing guitar (on the bus), making music on my laptop, watching movies, playing Words With Friends, and playing on the World Wide Webernets.”

How long have you been in the band? “I first joined in 2006/2007 during The Fragile Army.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Seven, I think. That’s if you’re counting all the international tours separately and each of our phases last year.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “For the past 11 years, I have been a Radio City Rockette. And when I’m home I work as a fashion stylist.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “My favorite thing is being able to do two things that I love and have done my whole life: perform and travel. And being able to do it all with my husband Mark Pirro is actually the best part!”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “I come from a family of seven, and, as I have said before, I have been a Rockette for 11 years. Three of those years, I toured with a cast and crew of 200 through the US and Canada. Talk about a big group! I really thrive on the group-energy dynamic. You can literally hang out with a different person/group every day, and the cool thing is, if you need a little private time, it’s pretty easy to come by, too. The worst part for me is probably not being able to have my regular workout schedule. I know that seems a bit silly, but being active on my own off stage is good for my body mind, and spirit.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Mark and I like to both squeeze into his bunk and watch movies or go on a YouTube rabbit hole adventure. It sounds uncomfortable, but it really isn’t unless we both fall asleep. Then I roll on out and into my bunk. I also love a spontaneous dance party on the bus. The girls don’t get to control the music that often, but it inevitably turns into a dance party when we do! For the airplane travel, I swear by my Kindle. I fly through books, so it is great to have as many as I want without having to have the extra bulk. There’s also a lot of sleeping.”

How long have you been in the band? “Since 2010.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Four or five years, I think, plus one-offs and London once. I feel like it all ties together.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I’m a session drummer, a drummer for hire and a bass player. I don’t even know at this point. I sit in with The Paper Chase, The Nighty Nite, Rhett Miller, Salim Nourallah and Buttercup. I know there are more, but it’s early in the day. Oh, and I”m also a touring stage manager/guitar and drum tech for the Old 97’s, as if I didn’t get enough road time. I love traveling with them and being part of the machine behind the scenes.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “In a typical sized band, with minimal production, touring can take its toll. With the Spree, it’s a bit more involved. We are DIY, and I love that about it. It’s honest. The worst part, though? It’s a ton of work. The best part? It’s totally worth it. And I have the luxury of playing with some of the area’s finest players. The talents from the individuals in this band are unreal. I’m not kidding.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “I’m a bit claustrophobic, so at times I have to just lay in a bunk and listen to Stars of the Lid. It helps keep me in check. With so many people on the bus, it’s easy to hang with a different small group of members every day. If you need quiet time, well, there’s always earplugs and a curtain to escape with.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “I like to drive it or fly it. Periodically, I clean it and/or drink coffee within it.”

How long have you been in the band? “Poly opening Klyde Warren Park last year was my first show, so about a year. I’m still kind of the baby, but luckily some new additions in the horns and keys have relieved me of my rookie status.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “I guess two full bus tours, and this will be my second time overseas since London last year. It’s already blurry — in the best way.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I’m an actor in Dallas, so I do a lot of supa dupa cool theatre work, and some not-as-cool-but-totally-more-lucrative on-camera work. I also have a line of accessories — headbands, sunglasses, dream catchers — that I sell on Etsy. The choir wore one of my designs on Leno last Christmas. It was dreamy.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “Fucking everything, man. My first show with the band was opening Klyde Warren Park. My second was doing Rocky Horror in London on Halloween. My third show was doing Jay Leno. What a trip! I love the band and the folks that we meet. The stories we come home with outweigh any of the less glamorous stuff — like not showering and/or getting kicked out of a bathroom in Michigan for brushing your teeth — along the way.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “Well, it’s certainly never boring. It can be hilarious at times when you have to wait like 40 minutes at some heinous Olive Garden or something in Middle America because they’ve literally never had a party of 20 come in for supper.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Hang out with my bestie Elizabeth, watch movies and praise Jesus. And by ‘praise Jesus,’ I mean ‘drinking whiskey,’ of course.”

How long have you been in the band? “It’ll be a year this September.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “This is my third.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I’m a stage actress, voice actor and drama teacher.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “That touring is my job. How many people can say that?”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best? There are so many people. Also, my best friend is always there (aww). The worst? There are so many people.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Sleep, read, play the airplane food game — is that real food or not? — and watch movies with Natalie.”

How long have you been in the band? “I joined the band in September of 2012, so almost 11 months.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “Technically, I’ve been on two real bus tours, I guess, but my first trip was London for Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween in 2012. Then I went on the ‘Holiday Tour’ around the U.S. We went all the way to Uganda after that, and finally another U.S. tour around the East Coast in June/July of this year. That might be four, then? But now we’re going on an international tour!”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “In my time outside the band, I play a lot of guitar and sing for my own enjoyment. I record music projects and edit them for my YouTube page. I’m also very active and workout or do something physical almost every day. I work in my dad’s pipe organ shop part-time. Books are a passion as well.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “My favorite thing is spending time with my amazing Spree family, and playing rock shows for people that truly enjoy our music. It’s also amazing going to so many new places.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best part is that you are never lonely and get to hang out with great people. The worst part is how crowded and cramped the bus can get.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “My favorite things to do are to sleep, read, talk to my family and friends back home, or just hang out with fellow band members and chat.”

How long have you been in the band? “Five months.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “This is my second major tour, and first international tour with the band.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “Upright bassist for hire, music production and engineering, graphic design and hot naked yoga.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “It’s like backpacking — traveling light — and I’ve taken that philosophy back with me into my terrestrial life.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a big group? “There is a good balance of energies — masculine/feminine, creative/practical, dominant/submissive. It’s a big gypsy family, and everybody pulls weight in their own way.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Lap-topping, lap-bottoming, staying productive and attempting to sleep through the intermittent moments of terrifying turbulence.”

How long have you been in the band? “I’m a newbie. Just a few months.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “One big tour, and a quick trip to Bonnaroo.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I play guitar with a lot of people. Sometimes I play for hire, but also I get to play music with wonderful people like Salim Nourallah and Paul Slavens. I also have my own project called Nimik. I teach guitar lessons, too. Outside of music, I love making arty things with my hands.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “I love playing shows because we all work really hard to make it happen. It’s a great feeling seeing everything come together to make the show happen.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best part is there is always something going on and somebody to hang out with. The worst part, I guess, is that there’s 20 people, which makes it tough to get a shower sometimes.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “There’s always a few instruments on the bus, so it’s fun to play some music while going down the road.”

How long have you been in the band? “One month.”
How many tours have you been on with Polyphonic Spree? “One.”
What do you do when not playing with the Spree? “I’m a live audio engineer, recording engineer, producer and musician.”
What’s your favorite thing about Polyphonic Spree tours? “The shows.”
What’s the best/worst part about traveling with such a large group? “The best part? There’s lots of different people around. The worst part? The lack of personal space.”
What’s your favorite thing to do to occupy your time on the bus/plane? “Sleep.”

Check out the band’s first batch of dispatches right here.