Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Tuthill.
Hi Jason, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born just east of the Binghamton area in New York in a small town called Sidney. My family moved to Minnesota when I was fairly young to Elk River and I ended up moving again up to Thief River Falls, MN where I graduated. I moved to Winnipeg, MB, Canada once I graduated to pursue a college hockey scholarship, playing Junior A. I ended up getting a partial scholarship where I played hockey. All the while, playing music, actually writing music since I was probably 16-17, attending concerts whenever possible, traveling as far as Chicago to see a band that didn’t come to Minneapolis on the Van’s Warped Tour, X-Fest, Rockfest, Etc. Etc.
The major I chose was Psychology and was trying to minor in Music. My dream job at time? Music Therapy. Yep! Most people probably have no idea what I am even talking about and this happened to be one of the main reasons I left college early. I ultimately ended up dropping out of college early, getting my associate’s degree in generals merely because I felt it irresponsible to continue to wrack up debt whilst having zero idea on what I wanted to do, outside of this super niche profession of Musical Therapy.
Moving forward, while working odd jobs, I start an original acoustic duo called The Domino Affect with one of my best friends of all time, Will Forney, whose father was well versed in music and had been playing out his entire life. They were intrigued but my songwriting and helped me work on my guitar work and even some vocal training here and there. I am seen by someone who is in the music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba and he puts a word in for Will and I to be signed by Smallman Records. Up to this point, I just played because it was fun and had absolutely no desire to go do anything besides some coffee shops and a couple of bars here and there. Hearing this news changed my perspective almost overnight. The record deal ended up not coming to fruition. Will moved to Fargo and I to uptown Mpls to keep the train rolling in the direction of “is this music thing possible?”
The Minneapolis music scene was amazing. Began playing out after a few months of living in uptown. Coffee shops, open mics, battle of the bands. Went through a couple of bands and a ton more members and made lifelong friends on the way. Met my now wife, Roberta, and the rest is history.
Started writing for VIA and converting members around 2011/2012 in my mid-20s but didn’t end up putting a full lineup together until 2013 and we hit the ground running! Opening for national acts almost immediately because my past failed bands, I learned a lot. I had my wife beside me, helping me manage and lending an “outside perspective” that is nearly impossible to have when you’re IN the music. Writing it! Playing it! She coached me through improving, recreating, and perfecting (which will never happen, haha) while managing this beast that would become what it is today.
VIA was signed by our first record label in 2014 but ended up walking away from it because the label said our songs were too “Sanitized”. Hence the name of our first album “Sanitize This” that we released independently in 2015. “Sanitize This” was later that year picked up by Pavement Entertainment out of Chicago. Who are internationally known franchise of Sony/RED. It was a huge accomplishment. We toured the country with dozens of rock and metal bands. Playing upwards of 75 to 100 shows a year until we hit a roadblock in 2017. Our drummer, Ben Leff, who had been on the last now, 2 albums, was stepping down. It was sad, tragic even. Myself, Eric Vobejda and Sam Stark struggled to get a long-standing drummer in and even Ben Leff came back for a small stint only to call it quits again. Sam then started to tour as the stage manager/guitar tech for The Spill Canvas.
Sadly, VIA sat with only myself and Eric as the members and at this point, we were writing the 3rd album and were antsy to fill the rhythm section. We had our friends from another well-known Twin Cities’ band join us in 2019 but life happened. Sam rejoined VIA during the COVID era and we had a close friend, Mark Puder, try to make the drumming position work but yet again we were left without the drumming position filled. We had 4 different drummers fill-in in the summer of 2021 to play the 30+ shows we had on the books including opening for Buckcherry, Saving Abel, etc., and playing Rockfest before and after Korn. All of which was no news to us as a whole but another accomplishment in and of itself. We were back.
Forward now to today. I am now releasing the first single of our 3rd LP tomorrow and what a glorious struggle. 🙂
The moral of the story here, which you probably already figured out, is the love for music can go to places you have never dreamt even feasible. Determination can be your strongest attribute. I have played only in the United States of America. Played a sold-out show @ the famous First Avenue. Was direct support for Breaking Benjamin @ a sold-out Myth Nightclub. Sold thousands of records. Been aired on 50+ stations across the nation and even done radio interviews in the UK.
Dreams can sway or slightly alter or conjure themselves as you go through life like it did for me, if you love it, it won’t matter. You’ll be in your own private heaven.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyone struggles with schedules/scheduling. Find a way to master that and you’ll be ahead of the game. Be humble and learn from mistakes. Admit fault and move on.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am proud of my ability to write. Very proud of the new songs I worked on and put together with my brothers in VIA. I have worked on making lyrics relatable and molding my voice to hit larger ranges and styles. Nothing sets me apart from others. I may just work a little harder and want it a little more.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Music. It’s my second heartbeat. I need it to live.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.VIAROCKVIAROLL.com
- Instagram: @VIAROCKVIAROLL
- Facebook: @VIAROCKVIAROLL
- Twitter: @VIAROCKVIAROLL
- Youtube: @VIAROCKVIAROLL
- SoundCloud: @VIAROCKVIAROLL
Image Credits:
Adam Standon (Studio Aesthetik)
