Matt McCaughan is probably best known as the drummer for Bon Iver, but he's played with tons of bands big & small both on stage and in the studio. In this conversation, Matt shares how he got started in music, the importance of not being too career-minded too soon, how he thinks about his work & how to price it, and how he manages the ups & downs of a gig-based income. 

Matt's question for Tim: I don't really pay attention to or care about cryptocurrency. Should I, and or when should I start paying attention? 

Key takeaways

1. Matt's journey to becoming a full-time musician was gradual. He began earning money as a musician in the late ’90s, eventually quitting his day job around 2006 when touring became frequent.
2. He met Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) while touring with the Rosebuds. They bonded while rooming together on tour, and Matt later joined Bon Iver in 2008.
3. While often seen as glamorous, Matt emphasizes how tour life – like long waits, shared living spaces, and repetitive logistics – can become very routine and normal for musicians.
4. He candidly shares mistakes from his early financial life, especially around credit card use, and how he eventually cleared his debt through awareness and restraint.
5. Matt discusses how he prices his work, considering factors like time commitment, travel, and what other musicians get paid for the same commitment when evaluating offers.

Links
Matt's Grammy Awards page
Matt's credits via AllMusic and Discogs
Matt's IG page
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