The Dip, Live in London, photo by Dan Grannum (IG @pixelaffiliate)
What does TOM BIHN have in common with a seven-piece rhythm-and-blues band? More than you might think.
For most people, a bag carries the essentials for the day. For a touring band, it’s carrying everything needed to reach the next city, the next venue, and the next show.
That’s one of the reasons we were excited to collaborate with The Dip, a Seattle-born band that has grown from playing local venues to earning more than 200 million career streams, reaching 1.36 million monthly listeners, performing live on KEXP, and taking the stage at festivals like Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.
We sat down with the band to talk about life on tour, their love of Seattle, what it’s like traveling across continents, and, of course, the TOM BIHN bags that have been along for the ride.
For those who are just discovering The Dip, please introduce yourselves! Was there a specific moment when the idea for the group first clicked for you?
"Hello! We’re The Dip: Tom (guitar), Evan (baritone saxophone), Levi (tenor saxophone), Jarred (drums), Jace (keys), Brennan (trumpet) and Mark (bass). We all met at the University of Washington studying music together but it wasn’t until we graduated that it seemed like we had something special. People started to come out to our shows in the Seattle area so we wanted to take it on the road!"
Your team reached out to us for collaboration — what gravitated you toward TOM BIHN?
"The band’s been touring for over a decade now and we’re always on the lookout for bags and luggage that work well while moving between venues, hotels and airports. The variety of fashionable bags that TOM BIHN offers fits all of our needs when it comes to clothing and music gear. We’re especially excited with all the designs and colors too!"
Seattle has a long musical history. Are there any local artists, venues, or neighborhoods that had a big influence on you?
"Seattle has some of the best venues in the country! We’ve all attended shows at favorite spots like Showbox Market, Paramount Theatre, Sunset Tavern, Tractor Tavern, The Crocodile and Jazz Alley. One band that we love to see live is the True Loves!"
TOM BIHN and The Dip both started in Seattle and have grown beyond the city while staying true to where they came from. What does Seattle mean to you today?
"Seattle will always be home. It was where some of us grew up while others moved here for college. Either way we all developed a deep love of the outdoors, the buzz of the music scene and great food. It’s been unfortunate to see artists and creators move away due to the rising cost of living but there’s a resilience that gives hope for the future."
The Dip, Live in London, photo by Dan Grannum (IG @pixelaffiliate)
You just got back from a Europe/UK tour earlier this year and are now weeks away from finishing up your US/CA tour. What’s going through your minds before a trip like this?
"We’re just so grateful to play for audiences across continents. Each tour is special - the people, venues, cities… We feel lucky to walk away with the memories and stories we gain along the way. We’re especially excited for the Newport Jazz Festival in August and have been preparing for a special set of music."
Touring looks glamorous from the outside, but what does a typical travel day look like?
"We’d be lying if we said touring wasn’t tough. Mornings and afternoons consist of early van calls and long drives. It’s not uncommon to drive 5-7 hours before arriving at the venue where we have to jump into action and soundcheck. After performing late into the night we pack up and drive to the hotel and repeat the process. That being said, we do find the joy of traveling whenever we can!"
How do you stay grounded when you’re constantly moving between cities and countries?
"It’s all about finding the moments to take care of yourself that make the tour better. Whether it’s exercising, finding a nice place to enjoy lunch or dinner or exploring whatever city you may be in - it’s important. Being in a band of all friends helps too!"
What's your favorite city you've played so far, and where are you most excited to visit next?
"We all have our preferences but it seems like we all share a love of Amsterdam. On top of some amazing shows we’ve experienced the amazing sights and food the city has to offer. It’s not necessarily a city but we can’t wait for the legendary Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. Some of our biggest idols have played the festival in the past and we’re honored to join this year’s lineup!"
Everyone has their own travel style. Are you meticulous packers, or are you throwing things into a bag five minutes before leaving?
"Personally speaking, I’m a packing cube guy… everything goes in a cube! Although I still pack five minutes before leaving. A couple of us are packed with plenty of time before van call though so we’re a mixed bag! - Mark"
What’s one item each of you never travels without?
"Noise cancelling headphones!"
Which TOM BIHN bags are accompanying you during tours, shows, and day-to-day life?
"We’re traveling with our Smart Alec 2.0s, Techonauts and Aeronauts. We love them for both short and long tours."
What are you most excited about for the remainder of your US/CA tour?
"Obviously Newport Jazz Festival and our shows with Lake Street Dive but our tour down the coast in August will be a great way to end the summer."
What do you hope fans take away from live shows?
"We want our fans to hear the music they know from our records but in a completely different way through new arrangements and improvisations. Live music is powerful and we want everyone to experience it with us."
As you've gone from playing local Seattle venues to touring internationally, what are some of the constants that travel with you wherever you go?
"The positivity and hospitality of the people we meet along the way is always constant. This is something we all appreciate and gives us some hope for the future."
What’s next for The Dip? More tours? New music? Something else…? — anything you can tease?
"We’re going to take the fall and winter to cook something special up…we’ll need all the rest we can get for a busy 2027! Our fans should keep their eyes open for lots of new things!"
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about yourselves, the band, or our bags?
"No but thank you very much for working with us! We’ve very much appreciated the opportunity and have been enjoying the luxury of using TOM BIHN bags on the road!"
A huge thank you to The Dip for taking the time to share a glimpse into life on the road. It’s been a privilege to support their journey with bags built for wherever the next show leads.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for the band — and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
