Adam Turla is a founding member of the band Murder By Death and co-founder of the Louisville KY restaurant Pizza Lupo (both with his wife, Sarah Balliet). And we go way back – I recorded the band's 2003 debut full-length album over 6 days during their spring break. In this conversation, Adam shares stories from the band's early days, the decision to stop touring after 25 years, how he & Sarah started a restaurant that survived the pandemic, the importance of musicians understanding the business side of things, and much more. 

Adam's question for Tim: In these times of increasing disparity, deregulation and corporate takeovers what do you think is the best advice for people to gain security and investments who aren't already "making it" or have savings in place? 

Quick correction to the intro: we recorded MBD's first album in early 2002, not 2003. Whoops!

Key takeaways:

1. Adam shares how his band formed in college, gained a dedicated following, and sustained a 20+ year career through consistent touring and strong fan engagement.
2. He details the logistics and emotional intensity of life on the road, from small clubs to selling out large venue.
3. During the pandemic, Adam and his wife opened Pizza Lupo in their hometown of Louisville KY. Adam shares how they pivoted during the pandemic to survive and make the business stronger.
4. Adam shares the importance of understanding the business side of being a bandleader and the responsibility he feels to both bandmates and crew.
5. He talks about how the support of fans drives decisions on what merch to create, playing unique venues (like The Stanley Hotel, featured in The Shining), and how he runs the band's mail order business.

Links:
Murder By Death's website
Pizza Lupo in Louisville KY
Murder By Death's debut album, recorded by yours truly. I wish I had included more close mics from the drums, but am otherwise happy with it.
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