Munsick chats with us after his show
Last weekend, The Music Universe brought you coverage from Stagecoach 2023. Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Chris Stapleton lead the lineup for the 2023 edition of Stagecoach. Jon Pardi, Old Dominion, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, ZZ Top, Elle King, Breland, Melissa Etheridge, Gabby Barrett, Bryan Adams, Nelly, Parker McCollum, Diplo, Lainey Wilson and many more performed throughout the three day event.
The fest gave us a chance to catch some newer artists who are quickly on the rise. We saw Ian Munsick’s short set on the Palomino Stage on Friday and followed with an interview. We hope you enjoy reading and see big things ahead of this country superstar in the making.
Buddy:
Ian Munsick, thank you for joining us, man.
Ian:
Oh yeah, man. Thanks for having me.
Buddy:
We just saw you part of your set because we were doing another interview, and we unfortunately had to miss some of it, but my god.
Ian:
Thanks man.
Buddy:
Balls to the wall starting off. I can’t wait to see an actual headlining show.
Ian:
Oh yeah man, you guys got to come through man. We party hard because we know that country music fans spend their hard-earned money, man. So we got to give them every single pennies worth.
Buddy:
Yeah.
Matt:
One of my favorite things about Stagecoach, about festivals is discovering new artists. And I found you a few weeks ago and then your publicist reached out. I said absolutely.
Ian:
Well, Awesome.
Matt:
And I’m just, we’re sitting up there because I have a scooter. So we’re up on a platform and I’m, we’re sitting up there and I’m looking at this sea of people coming in and you’re following is just growing massive day by day, by the hundreds. I mean, how has this ride been for you?
Ian:
Man, it’s been great. I started playing country music when I was very, very young. So being able to just slowly grow, release music, tour the country, man, we’re doing it. And I think, not the expedited way, but the right way, man. So I’m very, very proud of the accomplishments and the fan base that we’ve grown so far.
Buddy:
Well, I love the fact that you are traditional, but it’s still rocks.
Ian:
Yeah. Thank you man. Thank you.
Buddy:
Yeah, that’s the kind of country I like. I mean, I like the Nineties vibe. And that’s what you’re definitely bringing.
Ian:
Oh, nice man. Thank you. I’m a nineties baby, so I was influenced by a lot of music, but growing up on a ranch in Wyoming, man, I try and write music for people that live that kind of lifestyle.
Matt:
And that’s what I love about the album White Buffalo, which is incredible. Every song on it, I’m just like, you’ve got to be shitting me, where did this guy come from? But it’s also because it’s like a movie. I feel like I’m in a very specific place, but also not a specific time. It’s timeless.
Ian:
Oh, awesome man. Well, thank you dude. That’s a great compliment, man. I took my time making that album. It took about three years for us to write and make and man, I’m very, very proud of it, so thank you.
Buddy:
And one thing that got me, you mentioned on stage, is there’s not enough cowboy songs or something like that.
Ian:
Uh-huh. Yep. Yeah, man. Yeah, man. So, my goal has always been to put Western music in the forefront of country music because like I said, there’s not enough songs in country music about horses and cattle, mountains and canyons and prairies, even though those are the most country things ever. So it, that’s always been my goal from day one.
Matt:
It’s really cool. I’ve got to talk about the collaboration with Cody Johnson.
Ian:
Yeah, man.
Matt:
Where did that come from? That, that had to be awesome when you found out you were going to do that.
Ian:
Yeah, man it was. We went on tour with Cody [at] the end of 2021 through 2022 and we got to be pals through that tour and about halfway through it, my wife went up to Cody and was like, “Hey, we have this tune. I think you’d be perfect for it. It’s called ‘Long Live Cowgirls.'” He’s like, “I love that title. Let me go listen to it.” He went on his tour bus, came back out and said, “Hell yeah, I want to be on that song.”
Buddy:
Yeah, we just saw him in November so we missed you opening, but definitely looking forward to seeing you in a more, you know, when you get a longer set and everything.
Ian:
Thank you.
Matt:
Yeah, that’s the tough thing about doing this is we got to see the set and then run over here to do interviews and then see the set and run over here. But what’s it like for you as an artist to play Stagecoach and how busy do they keep you?
Ian:
Oh man, it’s a dream dude. This is one of the biggest country gatherings all year, man. So to be able to be here and to play the Palomino Stage where I watched the Cody Johnson play in 2019, it’s a full moment right there — full circle.
Matt:
There are big things ahead for you.
Ian:
Thank you.
Matt:
It was funny, we saw Cody in — not to talk too much about him — but we saw him in Vegas. He was sick as a dog from the stage. He said they injected him with all sorts of stuff and he still went on and gave this amazing show. And I think this new generation of Nineties babies is going to come in and be as cowboy as it’s ever been in country music.
Ian:
Yeah, man. I think so, man. It’s the, the country music has the best fans and the toughest artists because of the fans. So that, that’s what it’s all about. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. So man, if we’re not feeling good, you still got to go out there and make sure that they have a good time.
Buddy:
Yeah. And to kind of wrap, where can people see you next?
Ian:
Man, we’re playing in Billings, Montana and Denver, Colorado [this weekend] weekend, man. So I’m excited to get back out there in Rocky Mountain Country. It’s going to be great.
Matt:
You got to look up your management team over here has to look up the Birchmere, another one of your ilk and your sort of style came, played it, killed it, Virginia is dying for your kind of music. So come on out our way and I’ll be in the front row cheering you on.
Ian:
Cool man. Awesome. Well thank you.
Matt:
Welcome to country music. Welcome to stardom. Well-earned. Well deserved. Going to have more from you. The 18-track White Buffalo album can be downloaded now. Check out Ian on his socials. Thank you so much, Ian.
Buddy:
Thank you.
Ian:
Oh yeah, man. Of course guys. Nice to meet you guys.
