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Mingo Fishtrap frontman Roger Blevins is no stranger to the passion that often accompanies collegiate athletics, considering his band is based in Austin, home to the sports-centric University of Texas. Good for Blevins: It won't surprise him when thousands of college basketball diehards invade San Antonio April 5-7 for the Final Four. Mingo Fishtrap, a soul band formed in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and now based in Austin, will perform as part of NCAA Championship Monday on April 7, along with fellow Texans Robert Earl Keen and Bob Schneider.

Before the show, which is free and open to the public, Blevins spoke to 210SA about his basketball fandom, being in a touring band and how he acquires his music.

First off, are you a basketball fan?

I am, especially of the folks that give us gigs. Just kidding, but I'm probably not as big (a fan) as some guys in the band. But if you go to San Antonio or anywhere close to it this time of year, you'd better be a basketball fan.

College or pro?

As far as the crowds are concerned, I'd say college. I don't have a preference in terms of the game, but as far as how it relates to us, the college kids are always good to us. ..... People take the college stuff a little more to heart.

The music industry is in trouble right now, but bands that generate most of their income from touring are doing just fine. How glad are you to be in one of those touring bands?

Honesty, I think it's the best time to be a band in general because you don't have to depend on the ancient infrastructure to make money, regardless of where it's from — touring or record sales. If you're not on a major label, you can actually make money from records. ..... Our business is run by record sales, but the guys also get paid off touring. I think in a band, you can't have one without the other. ..... There's a lot of whining in the industry, but those people can't really get off this ancient infrastructure. You have to roll with the times and embrace new technology.

Speaking of technology, how do you get your music these days?

I'm on iTunes all the time. If we have a connection on the road, every Tuesday I check for new releases. I also love going to record stores ..... where I can find great imports or rare records and stuff.

A two-part question: Have you given up on listening to radio, and have you given up on trying to get played on the radio?

When it comes to commercial radio, it's really tough. ..... As a band and that being your business, you still have to try. We do the independent radio, and that's wildly popular, but it's tough, man. I don't listen to (commercial radio), to be honest. It's a lot easier now to have what you want in the car. I'll browse through every once in awhile, but it's tough because I think it's become the lowest common denominator. That's what radio has become. It doesn't mean it's bad. They're not bad songs, but you just hear them over and over again. 
 
CLINT HALE | 210SA