This week's Featured Buyer is Dave Mies of the band Tall Firs. Tall Firs are a Brooklyn-spun band of three. Their roots, though joyous, often feel like punk ghosts in a dusty room at magic hour. Layers of folk and country ease you into the darkness with remarkable tenderness, but there is always hope in their songs. Like any band, they've taken their show on the road and know the pain and glory of being on tour. We thought they'd give a fresh perspective to our Gotta Travel On series.

You can find out more about the band at their website at TallFirs.org or check out their record label for tour info and CDs.  

Do you make anything crafty?
I've made our last two album covers. The first was a logo arranged out of the fallen needles from my wife's and my first Christmas tree, and the second was carved from a piece of cherry wood which was a gift from our friend Peter.

In addition, Ryan collects found photographs from all over the place ranging from graduations, to graduations from sanity. Technically, he didn't make them, but the art is in the tenacity and the hoarding.

How did you meet?
New York City, man! Just like any city, it works like a vacuum; sucks up detritus from all over and forms tightly knit clumps.

What was your weirdest place on tour or craziest story?
We stayed in an abandoned Ramada in Detroit once. Long story short, we spent most of the night chasing a runaway flying squirrel owned by our squatter hosts. I'm serious.

Where would you like to live (if not where you live now?)
Speaking only for myself, somewhere totally antithetical to New York. Nothin' but trees and breeze, I guess; only I like it here just fine for now.

What's your most cherished family item?
I have my great grandfather's railroad watch. I inherited it when my granddad died. If only it was as reliable as he was, damn thing hasn't told time for years.

What do men want?
That's easy, the same things women want: love, sex, protection, freedom, restraint, decadence, bigger dreams, better memories.

Figuring out what we really need is the tough one.

Aaron (the other guitar/vox) is on a street hockey league called The Unicorns. This print of a unicorn retching up a rainbow by nutandbee describes them effortlessly.

Pink skeleton lady's tank top by moresassvintage: it's so hot. Just imagine hot girl bullies in the Karate kid.

Crazy hippie guitar strap? Totally, man. Aaron and I pride ourselves on expressive guitar belts: it's the power tie of rock guitar. This one is by FatPatch.


Rad wooden pinball machine by DamonMcIntyre. It's a little pricey, but really neat. I thought Pinocchio was cool, but this thing works without magic.

This handmade wooden guitar stand by Ltnwoodworks would improve the look of my living room dramatically. Instruments look cool, the stands usually don't.


Purple Pie Man, man! This is the only French beatnik the old shortcake ever knew. I don't collect vintage toys myself, but if I did this dude would be "shortlisted." Found in trunkofprettys' shop.

Not sure if this dress is my girl's style, but holy smokes, these vintage rags will surely draw stares. Found in BlackandBrown's shop.

Looking for past Featured Buyers? Check out our archive! We've interviewed other musicians like Leslie Hall of Leslie and the LY's, John F. from They Might Be Giants, Lavender Diamond...The list goes on! Also, check out our other music related content here.