Exclusive: X Ambassadors Discuss the Rigors of the Road From Their Tour With Muse
X Ambassadors have come a long way in a relatively short time since emerging out of upstate New York in 2009 – all the way to a coveted opening slot on Muse's massive Drones Tour. But they say life on the road can take its toll on even the most seasoned musicians – unless, of course, you know how to be flexible with your daily routine and find time for life's little pleasures whenever possible (they're pretty excited that McDonald's now offers All Day Breakfast).
Singer-guitarist Sam Harris and his brother Casey (keyboards) have been playing music since they were kids, and Sam met guitarist Noah Feldshuh on the first day of kindergarten. When Sam Harris and Feldshuh relocated to New York City to attend the New School, they met drummer Adam Levin in the dorms and once Casey came back into the fold, X Ambassadors soon hustled their way to notoriety on the strength of their early song "Unsolable," which caught the ear of Imagine Dragons producer Alex Da Kid – prompting Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds to co-produce X Ambassadors' 2013 EP, Love Songs Drug Songs.
After releasing another EP (2014's The Reason), the four-piece unleashed their debut full-length, VHS, in 2015 and the infectious hit single "Renegades."
But now that X Ambassadors have ascended to playing arenas alongside the biggest names in modern rock, the members have found that life as a professional rock star moves pretty quick. In the exclusive interview (videos above and below), the band talk about what it's like being on the road for long stretches of time and the adjustments they've needed to make to their daily routines – from their pre-show rituals to, yes, grabbing Hotcakes wherever and whenever the mood strikes.