Paperback Rider: Amber Christman of The Callous Daoboys
Neuromancer in rap, going back to romance, and driving on the moon
Readers,
We reach beyond my personal Rolodex today and feature Amber Christman, violinist for The Callous Daoboys. The artist and photographer Amanda Killian (who helps with various projects at Little Engines) suggested Amber from the Daoboys when I mentioned the plan to revive Paperback Rider, our series about musicians reading on the road. Amanda knew Christman to be a thoughtful reader in a ripping band from Atlanta, the city Amanda also calls home. I consulted my metal friend and he, too, gave Daoboys the nod. Their new album I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven is out now. You can catch the band on tour in the US through December and in Europe in 2026.
Artists featured in Paperback Rider are given a list of many questions—half about books, half about tour—and select a handful to answer from each category. In that way, Amber had input on the routing of this Q&A.
Best,
Adam & Amanda (who also took the pics!)
PREVIOUSLY ON PAPERBACK RIDER:
BOOK QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHAT’S ON DECK?
Currently struggling my way through Blood Meridian. It’s a lot to consume and think about, so I might bench it soon. I told my friend Ethan from Crush++ that it’s my third consecutive McCarthy on this tour and found out he’s reading it too. Someone asked how I stomach that kind of thing, especially while traveling the Southwest, but that’s the secret sauce, baby. That’s the fun of it all.
I’ve realized I have trouble being chill when I read. It’s never something laid-back for the beach, you know? I had Point Zero by Seichō Matsumoto in my hands earlier this tour, and I’m thinking that’s on deck.
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU WERE GIFTED WHICH YOU LOVED, AND THE LAST BOOK YOU GAVE AS A GIFT?
The last book I was gifted was an archive of my late grandfather’s visual art (Pete Christman Artist Archive). He was a photography professor at SCAD for years and years and had one of the most relentless work ethics in an artist I’ve ever seen, alongside my dad. Both of them would wake up and just make art every single day, across disciplines, always integrating new tech. So not standard lit, but worth mentioning.
The last books I’ve given as gifts were the Werner Herzog autobiography and Devious Dreams: Reimagining David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive by John Thorne, both to my boyfriend. Herzog’s a big inspiration for both of us, and everyone loves David Lynch.
A BOOK CONNECTED TO A LYRIC?
Not one of mine, but clipping. referencing the first line of Neuromancer with their newest record Dead Channel Sky was so sick. That’s probably my favorite sci-fi novel and I could just gush about it for ages. It completely rewired me when I was 18.
YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSTORE IN A SMALL TOWN?
We stumbled into a bookstore in Berlin that was entirely devoted to sci-fi, which ruled. It was plastered with movie posters and had wall-to-wall classics, old serials, and series I’d never even heard of.
Another favorite is Personal Studies in Bushwick. They’ve got a wild mix of ‘80s and ‘90s editions. Variety in age really matters to me. And there’s a little co-op in Detroit called Book Suey where I met an author named Elijah and talked about Cormac McCarthy for half an hour. If anyone in Detroit sees this, you should definitely go say hi.
AN EMBARRASSING BOOK YOU LIKE?
No shame in it! I was a massive Sarah Dessen person in middle school, and I’ve actually been thinking about going back to see if those romances hold up. I loved Lock and Key. Also The Clique series by Lisi Harrison—I reread the first one back in 2021, and it’s such a funny little consumerist time capsule.
TOUR QUESTIONS
MOST EMBARRASSING RIDER ITEM?
Last year we put “a picture of a dog or to meet a dog” on our tour rider. Total joke; we figured no one would do it. I think we even wrote “pleaseee :)” after it? But like 80% of the venues taped photos of staff dogs to the green room wall, and one promoter actually brought us to meet their puppies in the production office. It was so sweet and insane, I almost felt bad.
WHO’S A NICE PERSON YOU MET ON THE ROAD WHO WAS NOT AT THE SHOW?
This was early in our career, back in 2019 when we were doing DIY tours. Our van broke down, and we were stuck at a Firestone all day just hanging out and waiting. This guy sitting near us must have overheard our conversation because later we found out he’d put something like $400 towards the repair. It was unreal.
That was one of my first experiences with how kind people can be when you’re out there, and how connection is maybe the crux of all of it. That feeling of gratitude permeates pretty much everything we do in this band, and it set the tone for how I see touring now. We even ended up naming an EP after that feeling (ed: Can’t be sure, but guessing that’s the God Smiles Upon the Callous Daoboys EP from 2023).
WHAT’S THE MOST CONNECTED PART OF THE DAY?
Any time we’re hanging with the other bands after the show. This headliner’s package was perfect - we were constantly seeking each other out. There were so many moments that I’d just wander over to Crush++’s bus, and ask what they were doing. It’s simple, but tour can be isolating, and joking around and shooting the shit keeps you sane.
WHAT’S THE WORST STRETCH OF ROAD?
I’m sure SLC to Denver has been mentioned a million times, and for good reason. On another tour we took I-80 through Wyoming in winter and it felt like being on the moon.
A SUPERSTITION OR PRE-SHOW RITUAL?
Before we play, we all put our hands together and say: “Best Band in the World.”
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