When someone talks about married musicians, Mates of State are one of the first bands to come to mind. That’s because Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner have successfully balanced being partners and performers for roughly a decade. They played together for five years before tying the knot and have turned life on the road into more of a domestic experience (bringing their two kids along for the ride). They’ve made the musical family life work for six albums and counting, most recently with last year’s Mountaintops.
Paste: How long have you been together?
Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner: Married 10 years.
Paste: Tell us the story of how you met?
Hammel and Gardner: We were in separate bands in college and our bands got booked to play the same house show.
Paste: What’s the greatest thing about being married to an artist?
Hammel and Gardner: All decisions can be made quickly… and making out.
Paste: What is the biggest challenge of being married to someone in your band?
Hammel and Gardner: Separating work and play. Our schedule constantly flows between working and playing, often times without transition. “Are we lovers or co-workers?!”