Jenni Rose - From Texas Band Vandoliers
Watch on YouTube
Subscribe for new episodes, Grit Sessions & more
Listen to this episode
In This Episode
When Jenni Rose talks about Joan Jett being her style icon, there's something unmistakably profound in the simplicity of it. "Period," she says, and you believe her completely. For the frontwoman of Vandoliers, one of Texas's most vital country-punk bands, channelling that particular brand of fierce femininity isn't just about aesthetics—it's about survival in spaces that weren't built for her. It's about showing up to stages where sweat and intensity meet beauty and defiance, refusing to be diminished by either.
Over a decade into Vandoliers' career, Jenni Rose has just released Life Behind Bars, the band's fifth album, and it marks something seismic. The record documents her journey through addiction and gender dysphoria, culminating in her public transition as a trans woman—a decision made while working in the notoriously macho worlds of Texas country and punk rock. That takes a kind of courage that Joan Jett would absolutely recognize.
What's remarkable about this album, according to Rose herself, is that it maintains the band's signature upbeat, sing-along energy despite its deeply personal subject matter. The Vandoliers have always been a band that makes you move, that gets under your skin with hook-laden melodies and working-class storytelling. But on Life Behind Bars, there's something more stripped-down, more intimate running through the grooves. It's as if Rose has peeled back some layers without losing any of the electricity that makes this band essential listening.
The conversation captured here touches on something equally revealing: Rose's pre-music life as a trained cosmetologist and barber. It's not a throwaway detail. The way she describes her approach to client relationships—keeping meticulous notes about conversations, remembering names, asking questions—speaks to a person genuinely invested in understanding others. "Listen to your client, ask as many questions as possible," she advises aspiring stylists. That empathy, that attentiveness to the human element, seems to underpin everything she does as an artist. You can hear it in how Vandoliers write songs that feel lived-in, that recognize the full complexity of their characters.
I have to be pretty to an extent, but I feel like with the times that we're in right now, I also have to be fierce.
There's also something quietly radical about Rose discussing makeup palettes and pearl snaps in the same breath as touring Europe and releasing albums that grapple with profound personal transformation. She's not compartmentalizing her identity; she's integrating it. The blue eyeshadow and red lip look, the cropped pearl snap and Martin boots—these aren't contradictions to her music. They're extensions of it.
What strikes you about Rose's presence in this interview is her groundedness. She's not defensive about her transition or her journey through addiction. She's not seeking permission or validation. She's simply existing as her authentic self while continuing to make music that matters, in a scene that hasn't always made space for people like her. That's not just admirable—it's necessary. These are the stories country music, real country music, is meant to tell.
Vandoliers' touring schedule now takes them through Europe and the UK this autumn and winter, bringing Life Behind Bars to audiences who understand that the best roots music has always been about truth-telling, even when—especially when—that truth is difficult and personal. If you haven't already, listen to the full episode. Jenni Rose has something to say, and the world needs to hear it.
I'll help you. I'll help you start a revolution for this Monday morning love situation. >> All right. Rugged Revival. This is Cam aka the Honky Tonk Hair Machine. And who am I with? >> My name's Jenny Rose. I'm in uh I'm the frontwoman of Vandeliers. >> Very nice to meet you, Jenny. Thanks for taking the time. >> Thank you. >> So, when you're on the road, what are some of your essential hair products that you have to have in your bag? Uh color safe shampoo and conditioner number one. Uh and then I use uh TG after party before and after blow dry and then a uh any hair spray that smells remotely good. >> Okay. And what about um a foundation and makeup? Who do you like? What do you do? >> Uh I usually use the NYX. I'm using the NYX uh foundation. I used uh a couple of different uh eyeshadows right now. I'm kind of on a blue eyeshadow, red lip uh phase. So, I'm using a uh Jeffree Star palette for my eyes and uh a couple of other ones I haven't really memorized yet, but okay. >> I've been getting a lot of uh presents and hand-me-downs from my the gals. So, >> perfect. Maybe we can get you some sponsorships. Hope that sounds great. >> Hopefully something will come out. >> I need it. Um, so you're not necessarily stage ready quite yet. >> No. >> But when it comes to your perfect stage attire, what do you like to wear? >> I like to wear a cropped pearl snap. >> Perfect. >> Uh, I Levi jeans or Wrangler jeans. Um, my trusty dog Martin boots. >> Okay. >> And then I usually have like a lucky bandana like this. So, tonight's a nicer night in DC, so I'll be putting on a pearl snap. Sometimes I wear a t-shirt. You never know. >> Perfect. Fantastic. Now, you just had an album come out. What's it called? >> Life behind bars. >> Okay. And that's that's available now. >> Yeah, it is. It's available through uh Break Main and Three Tigers. >> And you're currently touring the United States. Does this put you into Europe next or where do you go after the tour? >> Uh yeah, we're about threequarters of the way through uh our our American tour and then in November and December, we'll be going out to uh mainland Europe and the UK. >> Fantastic. Now, you mentioned to me you've got some cosmetology and barber experience. >> I do. >> What are some of your favorite haircuts to do? >> Uh, I did I I made my my name off of all the shortorm haircuts. I was doing uh a lot of barbery, but I went to Tony and Guy to do hair school and my cosmetology license. So, I worked with uh a lot of different types of things with that and uh kind of found my way. I love cutting. I love coloring. Um, I miss it. It's been about seven years since I did hair, but >> Fantastic. That's good. That's cool. Now, do you have any real quick advice for aspiring hair stylists? >> Oh, uh, listen to your client, ask questions, ask as many questions as possible. Um, if you want to retain a client, remember their name and the last thing that you spoke about and then always come back and ask them about that thing. I always had a book and I would write down their name and the last thing that we talked about and then every time I brought that up, uh, I would be able to keep, uh, that client forever and ever and ever. And it also helps with my relationships and getting to know like hundreds of people at a time. >> That's amazing advice. I love that a lot. Um, last question for you. If you had to pick one fashion icon, musician or model or whoever, >> who is your current biggest influence with your your hair and style? >> JoanJet. >> Okay. Period. >> Fantastic. Yeah. >> And is the goal to maybe get some early era JoanJet hair at some point? >> Yeah, I think like if I could do that and like I love her style. I think she's really cool and the way that I play is really physical. So, I can't just go out and I I'm gonna get sweaty. So I I can be pretty to an extent, but I feel like with the times that we're in right now, I also have to be fierce. So she's kind of my icon. >> That's right. Jenny, thank you for taking the time. >> It's our mash camp. It was a real pleasure. Let us pray.
Comments
Keep listening
Related Episodes
Ander$on
Singer-Songwriter from Detroit | Ander$on
Ander$on is a singer-songwriter from the Detroit area, cutting his teeth on the independent music scene. Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Chasen Wayne
Addiction, Fatherhood & a Life Built Around Music | Chasen Wayne
Chasen Wayne’s route into music has been anything but conventional. Raised around rodeo cowboys and blue-collar workers, Wayne spent years working with his hands while finding whatever time he could to write songs, play guitar and build a life in music. What followed has been a journey through hard work, addiction, sobriety, marriage, fatherhood and an unwavering commitment to his craft. In this deeply candid conversation with Slim Chance Cowboy, Chasen opens up about the experiences behind his music, the reality of making earlier records while heavily drinking and using drugs, his decision to get sober, and the family that now means more to him than any stage or record ever could. We also dig into his evolution as a songwriter, his work as a talent buyer at the Sagebrush, the sacrifices that come with touring as a father, and the story behind Chasen Wayne & The Honky Tonk Machine’s latest record, The Diamond Saloon. This is more than a conversation about country music. It’s an honest look at the life behind the songs... the mistakes, the work, the people worth changing for, and what it means to keep pursuing something after more than a decade of trying to get it right. Chapters 00:00 Introducing Chasen Wayne 00:36 Rodeo Roots & a Blue-Collar Upbringing 03:59 Austin, Plumbing & Learning the Craft 07:39 Injury, Addiction & a Turning Point at the Sagebrush 10:48 From King Cowboy to The Diamond Saloon 12:43 Writing His Life Into the Songs 14:02 Getting Sober & Looking Back at the Early Records 14:57 Strange Places & Moving Beyond Traditional Country 17:57 The Story Behind “Honeymoon” & Corpus Christi 20:36 Addiction, Sobriety & Choosing His Family 21:47 Work Ethic, Fatherhood & the Cost of Touring 25:15 Finding His Own Sound & Why He Keeps Going 28:57 What’s Next for Chasen Wayne Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Lance Roark
Wrong Notes, Pearl Snaps & Life on the Road: Lance Roark
Lance Roark has spent years figuring out what makes a song work - sometimes by writing bad ones, sometimes by rewriting other people’s, and eventually by learning when to stop chasing perfection altogether. In this episode, Lance talks growing up in Oklahoma, learning guitar alongside his dad, finding his voice as a songwriter and why, these days, the feeling matters more than hitting every note right. There’s also life on the road, forgotten lyrics, wrong harmonicas, Pearl Snaps, canned salmon and the realities that sit behind the songs. An honest, funny conversation with an artist who’s learned to trust his instincts - onstage, on the page and everywhere in between. Chapters 00:00 Oklahoma Roots & Learning Guitar with Dad 01:23 Writing Bad Songs & Finding His Own Style 03:35 Letting Go of Perfection on Stage 07:18 Pearl Snaps, Levi’s & the Lance Roark Look 09:17 Road Essentials, Wrong Harmonicas & Canned Salmon 11:16 Europe, New Music & What’s Coming Next Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Danny Raincheck
"Leave the Ego on the Stage" | Danny Raincheck of Whitey Morgan & the 78’s
Danny Raincheck has spent most of his life somewhere between loud music and the open road. Growing up on a dirt road in Flint, Michigan, he found punk and hardcore early—bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi shaping an attitude toward music that never really left. Decades later, that same spirit runs through his work with Whitey Morgan & the 78’s. In this episode, Danny talks to Camden about growing up in Flint, coming up in the punk scene, a lifetime of playing and touring with Whitey Morgan, motorcycles, tattoos, and what more than three decades on the road will teach you about keeping your head straight. He also gives us a look inside the making of Whitey Morgan’s new record at Sonic Ranch and why this one feels different. As Danny puts it: leave the ego on the stage. Chapters 00:00 Growing Up in Flint, Michigan 03:10 Motown, Country & the Music That Shaped Danny 07:48 Coming Up in the ’90s Hardcore Scene 15:21 Life on the Road with Whitey Morgan 17:22 Touring Essentials, Travel Bidets & Stage Style 22:08 Tattoos & the New Whitey Morgan Record Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com