For the Columbus, OH based Red Wanting Blue, mixing a steadfast dedication to their craft with a weathered patience has proven to be a winning combination. Foregoing the “overnight success at all costs” route for a more seasoned “to thine own self be true” path, Red Wanting Blue has been consistently playing shows, releasing albums and earning a strong following on their own terms since the mid 1990s. Where as most bands that have a meteoric rise usually crash with the same fierce trajectory, Red Wanting Blue has been slowly but surely building a solid career out of strong songwriting and passionate performing. Live at City Winery captures both of these strengths within a fiery19-song set that showcases Red Wanting Blue’s vast catalog and their stellar musicianship.

Recently, I had the pleasure of asking powerhouse frontman Scott Terry a few questions about Red Wanting Blue’s ideology, their move to a label and their exciting upcoming Letterman performance.

NoiseTrade: You guys have consistently maintained new album releases every few years since you began, including this year’s From The Vanishing Point. To what do you attribute the band’s longevity and resiliency?
Scott Terry: Man, that’s a tough one! I’m not really sure how to answer a question like this. It’s almost like asking a fish how it stays in the water for so long. Where else would I be? What else would I do? We are lifers at this. We’ve seen people check in and check out all the time, but we live here. Does that make sense? What else can I say… we love what we do!

NT: The “music scene” can sometimes be viewed as somewhat of a moving target. How has Red Wanting Blue navigated the ever-shifting and notoriously fickle musical terrain throughout its career?
Scott: We’ve been so lucky to dodge as many bullets as we have over the years, but that’s not to say we haven’t run into just about every speed bump there is along the way. That’s the double-edged sword of doing things your own way. We have never been lumped into any specific scene. Our music stands for itself and we survive on our own merits. I like to think of us as the tortoise rather than the hare. The slow and steady pace wins the race.

NT: Since the majority of Red Wanting Blue’s successes have come from an independent, DIY approach, what was it that drew you guys to eventually sign with Fanatic Records and what has been some of the major advantages?
Scott: Look, this is a game where the rules are made up as you go and they always seem to be changing. I’m glad we stuck to our guns for as long as we did. We would probably still be independent had we not met Fanatic Records. They are not your typical record label. We share the same belief system, they are just on the other side of the curtain is all. They are now shouldering a lot of the weight we used to carry on our own giving us more time and energy to focus on the music.

NT: You guys are slated to make your network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman on July 18. Other than just being a really cool shot at more exposure, what exactly does an opportunity like this feel like and mean from the band’s perspective?
Scott: It’s a pretty surreal feeling. I mean, when we were kids growing up and dreaming of being in a successful band, we saw The Late Show as a supreme sign of “making it”. Letterman, Leno and SNL were the Holy Trinity of Rock N’ Roll TV appearances. So, that being said… yeah, it’s a proud moment for us. We haven’t even played the show yet and the support from our fans has been overwhelming! Getting the opportunity to be a part of such a monumental television program is certainly a major milestone for all of us.

You can download Live at City Winery here on NoiseTrade and be sure to tune in to The Late Show with David Letterman next Wednesday, July 18 at 11:35/10:35 CST to catch Red Wanting Blue in action.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t learning to fly, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack