Photo: Jill Ragan
Between co-ordinating The Revival Tour, performing as a solo musician and his band Hot Water Music, Chuck Ragan is a busy man.
It was a nice, then, to catch up with him outside in the heat as the Revival Tour players were waiting to go into Manchester Academy for their show that evening.
The tour (a collaborative, folk-influenced show featuring a number of punk singer-songwriters) is currently on its inaugural UK run, something Chuck's been planning for a long time.
"We're just super thrilled to have made it happen. We're really excited to have artists and music that we believe in."
Along with his wife, Chuck started the tour with no real way of knowing what reaction people would have to it, or whether it would be accepted or successful.
It was set up to give a platform to the folk-punk artists that have come through in recent years, and the Revival Tour runs in the States have played host to the likes of Frank Turner and Tom Gabel (Against Me!).
It spawned from Chuck's experiences on other tours, where acts would end up sharing the stage by the end of the run. So, he thought he'd take it further.
"Why can't we get a little more organised, just communicate, send songs back and forth," he asked.
Chuck wanted to "go out with like-minded people and present a showcase where we completely sever the lines and barriers of who should be a headliner, and who should be an opener."
Needless to say, the tour surpassed any expectations Chuck and his wife may have had, in part due to the uniqueness of the event. Chuck agreed: "It's a special tour. It's like none other that I've ever been a part of."
He added: "It's important for me to not only bring this music that we believe in, these people that we love, but also use this tour as a platform to showcase artists who no-one knows about."
As well as founding and performing on the tour, Chuck is constantly planning the next one, although the way the line-up comes together is still quite fluid.
He explained:"It usually starts where I'll find one person or friend who believes in the tour and would love to be a part of it."
From there, they discuss the line-up, and see how it goes from that point.
A typical Revival Tour show kicks off with all the acts playing together, before it becomes a rotation of solo sets, duets and bigger collaborations.
"Everybody's literally on and off stage all night. It just doesn't stop," Chuck told us, adding: "It's actually, as a musician, one of the most challenging tours I've ever been on."
Although becoming known for his acoustic folk material, Chuck Ragan came through with punk band Hot Water Music, now balancing the two.
Along with himself, Frank Turner and the acts on the tour each year, there seems to be a trend of punk stars turning to the folk genre.
Chuck is delighted and in awe that so many people enjoy what he does, but is quick to make clear that he doesn't necessarily do it so people support it.
"I will say that with all due respect to the people that are supporting this...I would be doing it whether people supported it or not."
It's that grassroots mentality that runs through the veins of The Revival Tour, the idea that (whilst it's becoming popular) it is in the underground, supporting real and vital music.
"One thing's for sure. There's always gonna be one person with an acoustic guitar that's willing to play in your kitchen, whether there's five people or five thousand."
When we suggested that The Revival Tour could be the reason so many acts are taking the acoustic route, Chuck was typically modest.
"Oh, I couldn't take any credit for that," he laughed, although he admitted that for any kind of artist, having someone take what you've done as an inspiration and make it their own is "amazing".
As well as planning The Revival Tour, Chuck also recently released his latest record Covering Ground, one he was extremely proud of.
The writing and recording sessions sound as free-flowing and unpredictable as this tour.
Of that, Chuck said: "It all happened so organically and naturally. We had no idea what record we were about to hold."
On the horizon, he revealed that there will be some plans to record the next Hot Water Music album in the future, but admitted that he's not sure when he'll find the time.
How difficult is it for Chuck to balance the two projects then?
"It's next to impossible. I'll be honest with you," Chuck revealed.
He explained that he's away from home enough as it is, but said he's "lucky to have the strongest woman" he's known in his life to help him.
Chuck, quite openly and frankly, paused and admitted: "It's really tough to find that balance of hanging onto the passion and doing what you want to do, but also being responsible to your loved ones."
Touring has become a complete necessity to fund and support the making of an album, in order to sustain your career.
People think all musicians have a glamorous and easy lifestyle, but Chuck explained that it couldn't be further from his truth.
"People get totally the wrong idea. They see the tour bus, and they just think - you're living high and mighty," he said, adding: "That is our home, that's where we live. For the majority of us, it's still completely hand to mouth."
Chuck describes it as a "labour of love", with the acts truly loving, appreciating and enjoying the opportunity they have to do this for a living.
He never seems to have time to rest, however, revealing that work is constantly going into planning the next tour.
"It's important for us to constantly revive it. The line-up will always change," he said.
Chuck also hinted that it's not something he'll perform on forever. "Eventually, it's going to be something that I can step off of, and just help co-ordinate and help run it, just have this music constantly brought to the people."
The future for The Revival Tour, Chuck revealed, will see them giving back to the local communities that have helped them out over the years, as well as bringing fresh acts around the world (the tour has gone as far as Australia, debuting there last year).
The essence and aim of the tour will always remain, nicely summed up by Chuck: "That's the goal - to be able to support music that we believe in".
From Chuck's passion, to the stunning show from the players that night in Manchester, to the atsmophere of the crowd, it's clear people all over the world believe in this music, and will continue to support both the artists themselves and The Revival Tour.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
Between co-ordinating The Revival Tour, performing as a solo musician and his band Hot Water Music, Chuck Ragan is a busy man.
It was a nice, then, to catch up with him outside in the heat as the Revival Tour players were waiting to go into Manchester Academy for their show that evening.
The tour (a collaborative, folk-influenced show featuring a number of punk singer-songwriters) is currently on its inaugural UK run, something Chuck's been planning for a long time.
"We're just super thrilled to have made it happen. We're really excited to have artists and music that we believe in."
Along with his wife, Chuck started the tour with no real way of knowing what reaction people would have to it, or whether it would be accepted or successful.
It was set up to give a platform to the folk-punk artists that have come through in recent years, and the Revival Tour runs in the States have played host to the likes of Frank Turner and Tom Gabel (Against Me!).
It spawned from Chuck's experiences on other tours, where acts would end up sharing the stage by the end of the run. So, he thought he'd take it further.
"Why can't we get a little more organised, just communicate, send songs back and forth," he asked.
Chuck wanted to "go out with like-minded people and present a showcase where we completely sever the lines and barriers of who should be a headliner, and who should be an opener."
Needless to say, the tour surpassed any expectations Chuck and his wife may have had, in part due to the uniqueness of the event. Chuck agreed: "It's a special tour. It's like none other that I've ever been a part of."
He added: "It's important for me to not only bring this music that we believe in, these people that we love, but also use this tour as a platform to showcase artists who no-one knows about."
As well as founding and performing on the tour, Chuck is constantly planning the next one, although the way the line-up comes together is still quite fluid.
He explained:"It usually starts where I'll find one person or friend who believes in the tour and would love to be a part of it."
From there, they discuss the line-up, and see how it goes from that point.
A typical Revival Tour show kicks off with all the acts playing together, before it becomes a rotation of solo sets, duets and bigger collaborations.
"Everybody's literally on and off stage all night. It just doesn't stop," Chuck told us, adding: "It's actually, as a musician, one of the most challenging tours I've ever been on."
Although becoming known for his acoustic folk material, Chuck Ragan came through with punk band Hot Water Music, now balancing the two.
Along with himself, Frank Turner and the acts on the tour each year, there seems to be a trend of punk stars turning to the folk genre.
Chuck is delighted and in awe that so many people enjoy what he does, but is quick to make clear that he doesn't necessarily do it so people support it.
"I will say that with all due respect to the people that are supporting this...I would be doing it whether people supported it or not."
It's that grassroots mentality that runs through the veins of The Revival Tour, the idea that (whilst it's becoming popular) it is in the underground, supporting real and vital music.
"One thing's for sure. There's always gonna be one person with an acoustic guitar that's willing to play in your kitchen, whether there's five people or five thousand."
When we suggested that The Revival Tour could be the reason so many acts are taking the acoustic route, Chuck was typically modest.
"Oh, I couldn't take any credit for that," he laughed, although he admitted that for any kind of artist, having someone take what you've done as an inspiration and make it their own is "amazing".
As well as planning The Revival Tour, Chuck also recently released his latest record Covering Ground, one he was extremely proud of.