Musician John Stirrat, talks about playing live shows with Type One Diabetes

We are really excited about today’s interview with John Stirrat, who has had type 1 diabetes since age 8.  John plays bass in an excellent band called Hail the Sun, which is labelled on Wikipedia “as a post-hardcore band using elements of screamo, progressive rock, and math rock in its music.” They are amazing musicians, with live shows that are one of a kind. Their success have really blossomed over the last 10 years, as they now have 5 albums, 2 EP’s and close to 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. We were curious to talk to John about what it is like to have type 1 diabetes on tour, how he manages his performances, and hear what it is like to be a rock and roller taking insulin!

Check out Hail the Sun at https://hailthesun.com

Music written, performed and produced by Noah Mortola, https://linktr.ee/noahmortola

Please note,  this podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those types of questions, please reach out to your health care team and providers.

Transcript

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Hello and welcome to Embracing Diabetes. I'm one of your hosts, Dr. Elizabeth Stevens. And I'm Amy Stockwell. And we're really excited today about our interview with John Stewart. Full disclosure, he's my nephew in-law, so I've known him for over 20 years. John plays bass in an excellent band called Hail the Sun, which is labeled on Wikipedia as post hardcore using elements of Screamo, progressive rock and math rock in its music. We've had this band stay with us over the years as they've toured, and it's been so wonderful to watch their success. They now have five albums, two eps, and close to 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. I was really curious to talk with John about what it's like to have type one diabetes on tour, how he manages his performances and hear what it's like to be a rock and roller taking insulin. So, John, thank you so much for making time to talk with us today. I, we, Amy and I usually start off our conversations with, um, tell us a little bit about your diagnosis of diabetes story. What's something that stands out from that memory and, um, that you feel comfortable sharing? Sure. Yeah. So I was, uh, let's see. I was diagnosed, uh, I remember the day pretty vividly. It was October 23rd, 1990. Which is also my Uncle Peter's birthday. Your husband Liz. Yeah. And um, and it was about two weeks buildup prior to that when the symptoms were kicking in. And I, I was third, I was in third grade, so only eight years old. And, I think I was losing weight pretty rapidly and I was, I was a little more of a hefty kid, so it was noticeable and I was very thirst. And I guess what I thought in my head, well, I'm thirsty, I'm gonna drink orange juice a lot. And you know, that was probably not the best idea to do at the time, not knowing. Um, and I was getting like sick and nauseous and my mom didn't know what was going on. But I think. Right before they decided to take me in to get a blood test, my mom had this aha moment that, uh, you know, this could be diabetes. Cuz her, her, uh, previous husband, her uh, first husband was a diabetic and, you know, so she was registering those symptoms in that way. So lo and behold, yeah, we went in, got a blood test and they said I was type one diabetic right then and there, so they kept me in the hospital for about three or four days, you know, doing tests and it, it was just a whirlwind. I remember it was so new to me and at that time I was just listening to my parents tell me what was going on, you know, watching them have conversations with the doctor and I was in the background just learning. What might have been changing over the time. So learning, you know, what you shouldn't be eating now, what you, uh, try to, try to keep your numbers in this range. So it was very new. Um, I don't think I really took it in until, you know, the first couple of months realizing, oh, this is a thing I have to do every day, You know, test my blood sugar, get insulin injections, and my dad would always give me my shots. For, uh, I think the first few months. So it was, I think the thing that stood out to me was just, uh, trying to understand, I think this is gonna be a lifelong journey on this new, with his new disease. So I think that as a child, as an eight year old, you're kind of just going with the flow, whatever your te, whatever your parents tell you is gonna do. And so that, What year was this? 1997. Okay. Yeah, so I just had my, uh, 25th year DIA anniversary, or however you wanna say that. So, uh, yeah, 33 now. So it's, it's been, um, it's been a journey to say the least, I guess. Yeah. So still going with, Do you remember feeling scared, Like being that young? I was 14 when I was diagnosed, and Liz was, You were in your twenties. Yeah. Um, do you remember. Scared at all, or was it too, or did you not understand enough about it to even be scared? I think it was more, yeah, more of that, just more confusion and, um, not fully understanding what it was entailing and how it was, you know, this could be a lifelong, will be a lifelong disease until a. Any kind of cure is made. So not so much. I wasn't scared. I don't remember that. It was more just listening to my parents telling me, Hey, this is what we have to do now. And, and I, I remember vividly like them saying like, You shouldn't eat ketchup anymore cuz it was like high sugar And I thought that was so odd. I was like, ketchup. What's the matter with ketchup? You know, it's tomatoes not knowing that it's full of sugar and all that. So I remember actually my educator told me I couldn't chew gum or I had to, I had to count gum and be, Oh my gosh, really? I don't even chew sugar gum Yeah, I know. Yeah. Like the stuff you remember. There's so many little things when you learn about and what you should try not. I was so devastated about because the, I was, it was 19, 19 85 when I was diagnosed and. My favorite soda was, um, cherry Coke. Oh, loved cherry Coke. And when I was diagnosed, there was no diet like that Didn't come out for another 10 years or something. Yeah, I, I just remember that drink specifically being really, I had to. I had to switch to Diet Coke. I remember that. Yes. Well, it's not terrible. It's okay. So yeah, that's a, It was a wild trip being eight years old, getting that, but hence the juvenile diabetes term that they, Yeah. Right. Yeah. Did your parents, looking back now, did you feel like your parents, were overprotective? Like did they try to. Which would be very understandable. Did they try to keep you close to home and kind of keep you safe because of diabetes. Yeah, I think, I think they did a pretty good job. I don't remember them being too overbearing. I think the first few months definitely was a transition for our family. Um, they were, they would come in, I think on my lunch breaks for third grade and elementary school, and they would check my blood sugar, make sure everything was okay. I think they. In the beginning stages a little bit more afraid of like, Oh, like they don't want me to have a hypoglycemic episode or blood sugar going off the charts. But I, I think they, they slowly transitioned to wanting me to have a normal childhood as well, cuz I do remember having like sleepovers at friend's house and Yeah, still going out and eating with friends or their, their parents and families. So they, I think they did a pretty good job. Transition into it. Yeah, And I, I think, uh, just the love and the care that was there, that was really all I needed to kind of adjust into this new lifestyle. Yeah. We've heard from so many people about just the value, just the parenting. Even for you, Amy, cause I was an adult, but just the parenting commitment and, you know, just Yeah. How, how valuable and how, I mean, it must have been so hard. Mom and dad. Um, but yeah. Yeah, it's an adjustment, you know? Especially, Yeah. Have you asked them now as an adult, have you ever asked them, like, what was that like having your little. Third grader diagnosed. Yeah, I, yeah, I think we've had some conversations about it. I should bring it up again and just get, you know, 25 years later, what was it like. But I, I'm pretty sure my mom was probably freaking out in the, on the inside and, uh, and my dad, you know, was just going along with it too. And he was very helpful. And you know what, what they would cook for dinner and lunch was, They had to kind of change that sort of, um, aspect to my diet. Do you have siblings or are you only I do, I have a older sister, Lindsay and I have a older half brother Justin, who is also type one diabetic. Oh, no way. Yeah, yeah. Which is interesting cuz his father was, was the diabetic. So there wasn't a clear cut like bloodline, Right. That was like, oh, this probably came from Aunt Mary or whoever. So that, that's, that's interesting. But we've always, we've always talked about our family having autoimmune disease issues. Yeah. My sister has, you know, Intestinal problems. She thought she had, uh, Crohn's disease for a while. Yeah. Maybe it's just IBS and hypothyroidism is in our family. Yeah. So there's something, something in the genetic code that always lines up, so Yeah. Did that, help you having, did that other brother live in your house? Like, did it help to have an older brother who knew what to do or? Well, so interesting. So he's 12 years older than me. Um, he wasn't diagnosed until he was 29. Oh, okay. So I had already had diabetes for, uh, well over 10 years. Okay. Um, so it was kind of the opposite. Like once he got it, he was coming to me like, What do I do? What, what should I not do? And so, It was a very interesting dynamic to be like, It's gonna be okay. You're gonna be not you just gotta do this and try not to do that and monitor. So, yeah. But it's good. We, we still have conversations about, you know, how our numbers have been or what he's been up to. So it is, it is helpful to have a family member, I guess, like that to chat with about. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. So then hail the sun. So tell us a little bit about kind of the backstory, how you guys met and how you came together as a. I know the story, but just for our listeners. Oh, sure. Yeah. So yeah, I'm in a band. I play a bass in this band. We all met, uh, in college at Chico State University in northern California. Um, that was, let's see, I think the band got together in 2009. Um, they had another bass player before me, and then I think he left. And that's when Shane, my guitarist and somebody I, I. I was with in the dorms dormitories at Chico. He was like, Why don't you come play with us? You know? And he knew I played music and I, I knew of hail the sun at that time. So that's when we decided to start playing together and we decided to do. A tour that January of 2010, and that's kind of what peaked my interest. I had always wanted to go on a tour with a band in my head growing up. I always wanted to be a musician, uh, performing in front of people. So it just kind of seemed to link, uh, you know, pathways with what they wanted, what I wanted, and we've been going ever since, you know, we've been touring for 12 years now, and, um, Still doing it. So still, And we still get along somehow. We still like each other. So we're still friends. Still laugh a lot. Um, yeah. So I guess that was, that's the forming of the band. Um, what else, what's it been like? What's it been like having, you know, I mean, I know that, and we'll have a clip of the music that you guys play and, you know, we've seen you many times and I know you guys are all very close, but what's it, what was it? You know, as a musician having diabetes, being on tour, what were some of the challenges and any stories or things that stood out for you? Yeah, that would really hard. I mean, I remember seeing you guys and cuz you would stay at our house and Yeah. Just the van situation and, Oh yeah. Oh my goodness. So that, Did you ever get, did you ever have low blood sugar on stage or like really high blood sugar on? Yeah, so it's been a journey for that. Um, as we started out, we were very broke and just, you know, feeding ourselves whatever we could. So that meant, you know, traveling and, uh, either the van came a few years later, so before that it was like a car. We'd all just jam ourselves in there. Uh, and then you would hope to make a little bit of money to pay for gas, uh, for the next, to get to the next show. So being that, low on the money end, you, the food is really what, It was hard for me cuz most of us could only afford fast food. And you know, that's, Not the best diabetic food for, for anybody so I noticed early on there was some challenges and I think also not getting enough sleep was hard. That's something I've learned over the years. It's like sleep can really help level, I mean obviously we all need sleep, but for your leveling of numbers and all that. So, getting, uh, further into our touring career, we did get a van. Would, would, it was helpful, but you would still have to drive all day. So that means you're sitting for a lot of hours, not getting a lot of exercise, and then you get to the venue and you're jumping around and playing a lot. So that could, it could have, it definitely caused some ups and downs and that was a tricky thing to, to level out. Um, as far as like on stage, I've been pretty fortunate. I think for me, I would always. A few times leading up until we played to make sure I wouldn't go down. Um, and it was almost quite the opposite. I think with that adrenaline rush on stage and the, uh, exercise you would, you might think it would drop, but I think my blood sugars tend to go up a little bit. And then maybe an hour after the show is when they start to drop. So that's, that's what I've learned is like I have to have at least some kind of meal right after stage to level it out and keep that even. But nowadays we have a bigger budget. We have, um, some of these last tours we rent. More of a wagon or uh, like a minibus. And then we hire a driver. So what's great about that is these, you know, minibus, they have bunks in the wagon. So our driver after a show will drive to the next city overnight. So we get our sleep, we don't have to worry about it. You wake up in the next city and then you're, you can be moving around, do some exercise if you. And eating better has definitely gotten to that point. So not eating just fast food, you know, eating healthy food or whatever you can. And so that's been a good journey for us and just learning how my body works over the years with that. But it, yeah, it's, it's been some challenging, challenging times for sure. I would say. Do you wear a pump or do you manage with injections? Yeah, I still manage with injections. I'm kind of old school like that. You know, I've, I've had friends, diabetic friends who've gone on the pump and, some of them like it, some of them were not, uh, the biggest fans of having something connected to them at all times. But I know, like it's, it would probably very be, would be very, be beneficial for my lifestyle and whatnot. I just haven't crossed over to that next one. The old, old style thinking, I'd like to just take my shots when I can. But Liz did get me onto the, um, what do you call it, the freestyle. So that's been very helpful. And I loved, because I loved it for me because it, uh, kept me from being too o c d, you know, with. With dcom, I, yeah, I can see every single I second, I can see where it's going and if it's up or if it's going down and, but with Leray, I only had to look at it. When I wanted to look at it. So, um, just gave me a little more freedom, I felt like. Yeah, it's very nice seeing, I love the graph, you know, seeing if you're going up and down and, you know, before that if you're checking your blood sugar, you just see the number. I don't know if it's up, down, middle. So that's been very beneficial. So thank you, Liz for that. glad to have helped. I think I, I just tried to imagine just, I think as time has gone on, just. That being able to see the, the changes and the arrows is just, it's so helpful to know, like kind of what direction you're going in. Yes. Yeah. It's really, really helpful. Yeah. Have you ever crossed paths with anyone else who has diabetes on. I've come across, uh, a couple fans, which was fun cuz that's always a fun, uh, conversation, uh, to bring up like, Oh, you're type one, I'm type one. So other musicians. I don't think I've come across too many, you know? Yeah, I do know of a few. in the professional industry, diabetics who are on the road a lot. Mm-hmm. Um, so it, it's fun to watch their stories and learn from what they've done over their multiple years of touring and mm-hmm. and see how they manage it. And everyone's got a different approach, I think. Yeah. But, um, you know, I think exercise, sleep, and eating right is definitely the best way to go about it. Yeah. Yeah. And do you tour, do you guys tour like mostly on the west coast or like how far are you driving and traveling? Right, so we, I guess typically now we do mostly national touring. So we, we do coast to coast. Um, And so like when we were doing it in a van, that would be about four to five weeks on the road. Um, and that could be a challenge in itself. Uh, we, we do shorter tours here and there, like, uh, just California. That was more in the beginning when we were just kind of California, up to Washington and back down. Um, And slowly getting out. And we did a UK tour in, in 2017, so we're, we're trying to get it more, uh, international. Most, most of our tours though, end up being about four weeks on average, but you do come to the East coast, we. Yeah, we do. And you're, You're over there, right? Yeah. There's a chance I could see you live. I'm in South Carolina. Maybe we'll be by, Maybe you'll be back. That would be so exciting to meet you in person on the list. So what are some things that you're looking forward to, John? Some things that are going well or things that you kind of like the band is excited about or that you're excited about that's coming up in terms of your art and craft. Sure. So we're, we're, um, We're off the road now, hence me being home. Um, we have an album that was recorded, uh, through February last year up until the summer. So that's kind of our next step is just getting everything in order, artwork and picking singles. So kind of the fun build up until we, uh, will release it. We're hoping for, uh, Probably, probably springtime of next year. And then usually when we release an album is, uh, the touring picks up again so you can, you know, promote it. So we're looking, we're looking at a January tour and then hopefully another headliner tour coming out in, uh, May, June area. So yeah, just, just the buildup of that's really exciting and, uh, looking forward to new, new shows, new fans, new experiences. So it's good, but it's, it's good being at home and, you know, uh, relaxing and, you know, building up the energy to get out there again. My son has gone on tour and just to see how, I mean, it is just rigorous, you know, just the is driving and the arranging and. Finding where to play and where to stay and ugh. It's just crazy. So, and it's really been wonderful to watch you guys emerge and have so much success. Oh, thank you. I know, Yeah, I remember we staying at your house, I think in like 2010, 2011. Yeah. And, uh, we were so excited whenever we had a roof over our head, uh, especially at a family, a family's house that was, Yeah, we could make food for you and help, like, take care of you guys. All this, Yeah, home cooked meals, that's what it was all about back then. So, It is tough. It, it, it's, it's not the most, uh, you know, glorious in the beginning if you're trying to start out. It's, it's a tough, tough industry for sure. But it's, it's been great for us, uh, to see the growth firsthand and to be where we are now. I think we're just very humbled by it. And. Still able to bring people out to shows, new people, old fans. And so it's always good. It's always exciting and it's, it's hard work for sure. And it's tough being away from home. You know, I have a wife at home, three cats. You gotta gotta keep the cats going. We still make it work. So it's, it's so fun, you know, we still do it. And there must be like, there must be renewed energy for you guys to get on the road after the pandemic. Traveling at all. So it's, I would think everybody's kind of fired up to get out there and play live. Yeah. Yeah. That was, that was a tough, uh, couple years. I mean, for everybody in, in multiple ways. But for as, as musicians and not being able to, um, you know, bring your, your art on the road and at times that can be a big. Income for us, so that we had to find new ways, and I think we were doing more live streaming concerts like. Nobody would be there, but we would go to a venue and record it and then release that. So it was odd playing like a live set. Yeah. What was that like? Yeah. Yeah. Then nobody claps after and like, well, well, next song, I guess so. Right. feed off the audience so much. So when you don't have that, it's almost strange. But yeah, once, once we got back out on the road, it was like you just said, a renewed energy, and I think we all just felt so grateful we could keep doing it. And still doing it now. So yeah, looking to more, more shows and all that. Yeah. Well, I'm so proud of you, John, all that you've accomplished and, and and truly, if listeners, if anyone gets a chance to see Hail the Sun, it is a dynamic, exciting, lots of energy. I mean, it is a really for, for listeners, how would how would you describe. Um, the music, John. Sure. So yeah, like Liz says, it, it can be very high energy. Uh, you know, it could be a loud, boisterous song, uh, rock and roll. We kind of go in the, in the genre of, uh, post hardcore rock and roll. Um, but we have, we have a different flare, I think, cuz we can, we can bring the dynamic down. I think the song I shared with you is actually one of our acoustic. More calm songs. So it's, it's a little bit, uh, if somebody listens to that. And then another one of our songs still see the range that, uh, we can definitely put out there. But it's, uh, at our live shows, that's kind of what we're known for is just high energy, lot of movement. And then you can bring it down a nice quiet tune and then bring it right back up with a very. Fast drumming kind of songs. So yeah, if anybody's into that, uh, that genre, that music, you know, please, please check us out. And there are four of you, or five of you. So there's four original members. Um, our lead singer. Was our drummer. He started off behind the kid, and then as we kept growing, he, he wanted to bring himself up as more of a front man. So I would say the last six years we've been touring with, uh, a nice young gentleman, Alan. He's a fantastic drummer. He fills in that, That missing link. So, Well, so Donovan, our lead singer can be up front moving around. That's such a lead singer. Name Donovan. Oh yeah, Donovan. He, he has such, and he's, he's got that lead singer mentality. So, but he's a great front man, good friend of mine. And um, so there's five of us when you would see us live, uh, generally. But Donovan, he'll come back and drum for a few songs. We still keep that going so do you do any songwriting? Yeah. Yeah. Or me personally or the band? Yeah. Me personally. Yeah. So we, um, I, I do some on my side more of like a fun thing at home. Uh, I don't have a solo project yet. I'm working on something. But, um, as when we, when we get together and write music, it's generally all of us, all four of us in a room just trying to hash out something. Uh, it's very guitar driven, I would say. So it almost starts with the guitarist, and then we'll fill it in with everything. That comes around to, to make a song. So, Yeah. But yeah, it's a tough gig. Uh, and I know Noah, my cousin, Liz's son, he's a, he's an amazing songwriter, so I, I'm jealous of him at times, honestly. So you tell him for that. It's, It's a tough gig writing songs. It's hard. Yeah. It's, But it's always fun. Always fun. Yeah. Yeah. Great. Well, again, thank you John so much for making time. We'll include some, um, you know, links to your, obviously your sites and, um, music and include some of your, your lovely and interesting and just dynamics, creations, um, as a part of our podcast. To all of you guys and we hope to see you in Portland again and hopefully on the east coast with so that Amy can have a listen as well. Mm-hmm. Yes. I hope so too. Um, thank you so much for having me on this podcast. I'm happy you guys are doing this and hopefully some new, some new listeners and also anyone who's out there with. Type one, just working through it and, and to be inspired by the, by you, but that, is something, that they can do, that you know is possible. This is a possible lifestyle. Yep. Yeah. You could definitely have any kinda lifestyle you want while living with this disease. Uh, there's challenges, but there's challenges in everything. So, I hope people can find the, uh, the comfortness in that, so, yeah. Well, thank you guys. I hope to see you soon and hope close to you, Amy. Yeah, it was great to meet you. Yes, you as well. Thank you for listening to this episode of Embracing Diabetes with today's guest, John. We hope you enjoyed the conversation and maybe felt inspired or informed or less alone or all of the above. Please subscribe to embracing Diabetes on all major podcast platforms and leave a comment, question or review.