Matt McCaughan - Musician
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
