Lead guitarist, background vocalist, and co-founder of the Minneapolis-based band, Motion City Soundtrack (MCS), Joshua Cain has been playing music professionally since 1997. MCS has released five studio albums and recently played a sold out show at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. As with any band hoping to “make it big,” a heavy touring schedule has always been part of his job. He spent the better part of 2012 on the road. Married to wife, Jill, since 2007, they welcomed daughter, Dot, in 2010. —Kathleen Stoehr
How has touring changed for you, now that you are a father?
Touring is a mixed bag as a father. When home, I am mostly a stay-at-home dad. I love that I get to be there with her, really getting to enjoy her childhood. One of the drawbacks is that it’s tough to get any creative work done while you’re chasing a little maniac around the house. So now I look at tour as a time to really get some things done. Being away on tour I am now way more homesick than I have ever been.
What does Dot think about her daddy, the guitarist? I know she’s little, but kids are impressionable and opinionated, even at that age.
She has shown a lot of interest in music, having me around playing guitar. We also have a bunch of instruments around the house for her to play with. On her first birthday I gave her an orange ukulele that she picks up and pretends to be me rocking out during our dance parties. We brought her to a festival MCS got to play this [past] summer where she danced on stage behind us having the time of her life. It was amazing.
You formed MCS in 1997. When did you really start thinking about music as a career path?
I was 15 when I decided I wanted to play music. After I got my first bass (I started on bass), I played for four hours a day. I didn’t really have a plan other than wanting and needing to get as good at bass as I could. I wasn’t really that great at anything else in my life so I applied myself to music. Playing and writing music is where I felt the most at ease with myself. Every challenge seemed enjoyable—unlike everything else in my teenage life.
I think as parents we have to watch for that thing our child loves, that thing that makes them happy, and support it.
Any thoughts on adding to your family, or is one enough?
We are talking about another kid. It is hard to plan this stuff out. I do love the dynamic we have right now but I am not afraid of the change.
What do you hope for your daughter, as she grows?
That she is happy and fulfilled, finding whatever she searches for. I hope she can live a life without oppression, hate, and violence. I hope she always knows her mother and father love her.
PHOTOS BY JOE LEMKE
