Interview: The Way Down Wanderers at Galactic Get Down Music Festival

Blink an eye at a Way Down Wanderers’ show, you’ll miss an instrument change. Speak over your shoulder and you’ll miss a heartfelt lyric. Pick up your feet and dance and you’ll feel as if you’re weightless.

Over the weekend of August 2 – 4, Galactic Get Down Music Festival took over the Outback Ranch in Houston, Minnesota. (Yes, crossover bassheads, where both Infrasound and Suboctave have previously been held.) The rolling green bluffs, capped with a large sky cradled the sounds of violins, cellos, guitars, drums, keyboards and even spoons.

Oh you know I be where they don’t go
I never step foot in a path to follow
Ain’t no shaking these bones unless they’re resting and I’m passed and gone.
-Path to Follow

Bringing some Illinois flavor to the festival’s Thursday night pre-party was The Way Down Wanderers. Despite the fact that the band has never been to space and believe aliens would probably enjoy Tame Impala over their folk rhythm, they were received well at the space themed festival. The band is composed of five members: Austin Thompson, Collin Krause, John Williams, John Merikoski and Travis Kowalsky.

Prior to the performance, band members Collin Krause and Austin Thompson took the time to offer a glimpse into experiences both on the road and at home.  

Though the band has only been together for five years, Krause and Thompson have been playing together since their teens and even met in their hometown of  Peoria, Illinios. The name, The Way Down Wanderers, developed back when the two were taking college courses and playing in a different band.  

“It encompasses what we wanted to be at the time, travelers. We were hiking and spending a lot of time in the woods,” said Thompson.

“Travel seemed like the natural thing to do,” Krause chimed in.

The Way Down Wanderers have now traveled overseas to the United Kingdom. The band has ventured up north to Canada and as far as Florida, California and Texas.

Heading back mid westward crossing them state lines,
I had a few conflicting thoughts and they may cross at any time.
Surrender to the truth son and you continue to roam,
you must remember your roots when pure a long way from home.
– Truth, Son

“Our first big tour, after we all quit our jobs and committed full on, we went out to Colorado. We saw people singing along so far from home,” said Thompson. “It hit me that we were doing something right.”

The Way Down Wanderers has spread far and wide to reach many people. The gentlemen expressed how meaningful it is to have people sing along and talk to them about what the music means to them.

“We played this amazing folk festival in Ferdinand, Indiana. Some teachers had shown our music to their high school students and they came to the show and knew all the lyrics,” said Krause. “That was the first time I remember being in a town, away from home, and seeing people who knew the songs.”

The band’s name, as well as many of their song lyrics, express a desire to be on the road and the self-development that happens when traveling. Though, over the years, an appreciation for home has been gained. Something they also touch on in their lyrics.

“I felt like I needed to get out [of my hometown] so bad. I never thought I wanted to go back, until this year,” said Thompson.

I’m sorry that I got so damn confused,
but I still remember when I wouldn’t even look at you.
Wildfire won’t keep me back from you.
I know, I know, I know now it’s true.
-Wildfire

“I moved away for a while and then returned home,” said Krause. “It came down to the relationships I had there. That can make or break a town. I’ve fallen in love with the people.”

The band is bringing it all home this summer by hosting the Wander Down Festival in Makanda, Illinois. This is the festival’s second year and it features artists such as Dead Horses, Chicago Farmer, The Wooks and of course, The Way Down Wanderers. It takes place October 12-14.  The family-friendly festival encourages attendees to take music workshops, many of which are led by band members. Everyone is also encouraged to bring their own instruments.

“Song writing is like working a muscle,” said Thompson. “Push yourself to write in different scenarios or about different things, challenge yourself.”

Both band members remained humble when asked which songs they’re particularly proud of, claiming they like songs written by the other and agreeing on appreciating songs that were a collaborative effort.

“It’s hard to know if you love a song because it’s really good or because it’s personal,” said Krause.

The band has continued to collaborate and write songs since the release of its last album in 2016. Krause and Thompson mentioned in both the interview and at the end of the show that everyone can expect a new album from The Way Down Wanderers later this year.

For an encore, the band joined the audience for an acoustic rendition of The Beatles’ Obladi Oblada. Everyone came in close, stomped their feet, clapped their hands and sang along to the familiar tune, setting the tone for the rest of the evening and the rest of the weekend.

Photos By: Alycia Grace