On The Road With…Chad Moses

Every year around this time, a few folks from our team hit the road for the summer festival circuit. While they certainly enjoy the excitement of new places and days filled with music, it’s not why they go. They go because of people. More specifically, they go because they believe in bringing TWLOHA’s message of hope and help to people all over. 

Perhaps you’ve seen them at Warped Tour or a festival near your hometown. You likely had conversations with them about music, life, and community. You may have showed them your TWLOHA-inspired tattoo. You may have shared your #FearsVsDreams. Maybe you bought your first TWLOHA shirt from one of them. As summer kicks into high gear and you’re counting down to your favorite festival, here’s a little introduction to the friendly faces you’ll find under the TWLOHA tent this summer.

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When did you leave for tour?

Chad: I hit the open road on June 8th!

This is my _____ tour:

Chad: This summer’s festival circuit will mark my 20th tour working for To Write Love on Her Arms.

Where do you sleep?

Chad: It depends on the tour, but you name it, and I have likely rested my head there. I once toured through Canada sleeping on a hammock. But everywhere from airport benches, to the back of vans, to tents, to Walmarts, to gymnasiums have all been called “home” while on tour. Last year we bought a Nissan NV which we affectionately dubbed “SteVan Colbert,” and our friend Micah of Violent Lighting built some sweet racks and beds into it, so it’s like a super humble and efficient RV.

Who’s going with you?

Chad: I am so excited to be touring with my newly wedded wife, Miranda, for this summer.

Coolest place you’ve been on tour?

Chad: I’ve had the honor to take the message and mission of TWLOHA on the road through Europe, Australia, Canada, and 48 states.

Favorite part of tour?

Chad: While on tour, the days seem to go by very quickly and tend to blend together, so what really sticks out to me are the friends that I get to see along the way. I mean, hugging koalas is awesome, but seeing folks that I only get to see once a year trumps it all.

Where are you going ?

Chad: This summer I will be setting up a booth at 9 festivals and overseeing several more. My travels will be taking me from Nashville through Ohio and Pennsylvania, up to Toronto, through Wisconsin and Minnesota, then West to Kelowna, BC, Kennewick, Washington, and ending in Squamish, BC, before crossing the continent to get back home to Melbourne.

I always forget to pack:

Chad: I am always in need of a new sleeping bag, and it seems I can never remember the last place I put my headlamp or phone charger.

I always over-pack:

Chad: I never get around to wearing every shirt that I pack.

My tour soundtrack includes:

Chad: I listen to a whole bunch of ESPN Radio, kind of lame, I know…But some of my favorite artists to drive to are: La Dispute, Touche Amore, Hall and Oates, Meshuggah, Oh Sleeper, The Juliana Theory, The White Buffalo, Glassjaw, Brand New, Mae, Copeland, and Tom Waits…among so, so many others.

My favorite tour memory from last year is:

Chad: One of my favorite memories from last summer’s tour was probably connecting with my friend Tia. She and her family have been regular visitors to our booth whenever we stop through Central Ohio. I have grown accustomed to seeing stories progress as people continue to grow, and it is easy to dilute that into a sense of people and life always trending upward. Yet last year, a face I had recognized from past years greeted me, only this time, that face was being pushed towards me in a wheelchair. Earlier that year, Tia was in a car accident that landed her in a literal battle for her life. She fought through comas and amputations. Through shock and pain and questions and bitterness. And yet through that, she found the strength to greet me with a smile. It was a distinct honor to have the time to step away from the booth and catch up. We were able to candidly discuss life and curve balls and how rapidly our fears and dreams can change. It isn’t rare for people to come up to a booth seeking advice on how and where to find help for themselves or a loved one, and yet my time with Tia drove home the value of sitting speechless. I was able to soak in strength and courage from a friend. There is something truly special about taking a few minutes to rest in the awe of a life still being lived. Tia and her family epitomize community in action. We have a common goal of expressing love, and that is most effectively done by caring for one another, by doing whatever it takes to meet unexpected needs. Tia then thanked us for helping her through some dark times, which I felt entirely unworthy of because I would not be able to continue this job if not for Tia and her family pouring their hearts into mine.

My all-time favorite tour memory is:

Chad: One of the more unreal things to happen to me on tour was when I went for a run one day on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. On my way back to the starting point I happened across a mob of kangaroos, and they just stood there tracking my every movement. It was honestly quite terrifying, but I made sure to snap a picture.

My go-to tour food or drink is:

Chad: I drink a gallon of water a day when I am working festivals, and I make an honest effort to not eat fast food, but whenever I pass through Sheetz-country, I can’t help but indulge.

When I’m on tour, I really miss:

Chad: This is going to sound like a bit of a cop-out, but I honestly do miss the energy in the office. I spend a good part of each day missing my friends, regardless of where I am.

If you see me on tour, you should: 

Chad: Let me pet your dog. Dogs are my love language. Or at least show me a picture of your dog.