The Grammys

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After several years of touring, Irish singer Dermot Kennedy has had so much honey and lemon juice he now has taste aversion — but it instantly tastes better if he drinks out of his trust affirmation mug.

If there's one thing Irish singer Dermot Kennedy will always make sure of on tour, it's that he'll have a selection of "extremely boring" healthy foods on his rider.

"Veggies, green juice, all that stuff," Kennedy says in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. "For my voice, I've got manuka honey, ginger, and lemon, and that's something I'm drinking all day." In fact, he's had honey and lemon so much that he says has PTSD from the flavors.

Thankfully, he's got one guilty pleasure that gives him a break from his clean eating — Irish whiskey, which he calls "non-negotiable" and "the most exciting thing on his rider."

When Kennedy actually hits the stage, one of the most important items is a mug of affirmations he wrote. "I am the best. This is easy. I sing like a bird. My breath is limitless," the cup reads. "if you're having a difficult show, it's a reassuring thing to see on the side of the mug."

No matter the size or location of the performance, Kennedy sees each one with equal importance. "There could be a 17-year-old version of yourself who's going to be inspired to [make music] themselves ... I like to believe those are the type of people who have been attracted to my music, too, so there's just this very real relationship there," he explains.

Kennedy has been on tour all year in support of his sophomore album, Sonder; in June, he issued an extended 2023 edition that features his latest single, "Don't Forget Me." He’ll perform at a few festivals in Europe to close out the summer before heading to Canada in October, and will wrap his world tour in New Zealand and Australia in November and December.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Dermot Kennedy's relationship with live music, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Photo: Thanisorn Thitikhunrat, @smoothaum

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As someone with a major sweet tooth, Thai-American rapper DABOYWAY can't go on tour without a few guilty pleasure items: red wine, Sour Patch Kids, and even a sugary cinnamon-scented candle.

While many artists might ask for healthy foods and tea on their tour rider, Thai-American musician DABOYWAY unapologetically requests three specific confections: red wine, Sour Patch Kids, and a cinnamon-scented candle.

"The red wine has to be from Chile," he says in the latest episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. He doesn't care which brand it is, but as long as it's Chilean, he's happy, because it's never done him wrong.

The rapper loves Sour Patch Kids because they remind him of his childhood. "I've eaten so many Sour Patch Kids at one time that the whole side of my mouth hurts from eating all that sourness ... If anyone wants to win my heart, bring me a bag of Sour Patch Kids," he reveals.

DABOYWAY says cinnamon is hard to find in Thailand, but that makes it all the more special when he can get his hands on it. He says it reminds him of home and his favorite time of the year: football season. And he always appreciates that it makes "the room smell nice before I get on stage."

Press play to learn more about DABOYWAY's favorite items to have on tour, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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When it comes to tour necessities, indie pop singer Catie Turner doesn't need much other than water and throat coat tea. But the one thing she must have is her favorite fruit — which is also her good luck charm.

When it comes to building her tour rider, indie pop singer Catie Turner says she hasn't mastered the art of asking for "diva things." For now, she keeps it simple with throat coat tea, water, and, most importantly, a lot of blueberries.

"I don't know why," she reveals in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. "I just love fruit so much. I think I could only eat fruit for the rest of my life and be content."

At first, she requested blueberries out of habit. But after a few shows, she realized, "This is my new favorite berry." Now, she enjoys them so much that she'll accept them in their standard form, and she even considers them to be her good luck charm.

Even when she thinks of "diva things," Turner's mind still goes to fruit; she beams over the idea of an Edible Arrangement in every green room. "Fruit shaped like a flower tastes better! I would love to see that every day. It makes me happy. It's whimsical," she giggles.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Catie Turner's fruit love, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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During his childhood, pop musician Arden Jones wasn't allowed to have Gushers. Now, at 22, he makes sure to include them on every tour rider.

When pop newcomer Arden Jones hits the road, he keeps it simple. Really, all he needs is a few of his childhood snacks — kettle chips and Gushers — and some caffeine for a boost of energy.

"[Kettle chips] make me happy because I grew up with them," Jones says in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, later sharing his innovation of putting the chips in Subway sandwiches.

Another of Jones' tour staples stems from his childhood. The singer wasn't allowed to have Gushers as a kid because of their high sugar level, and he recalls sneaking them from his neighbor. Now, the 22-year-old can unapologetically eat the snack whenever he wishes — and he thoroughly enjoys them every time. "The person who invented these is a genius," he exclaims.

For more "adult" cuisine, Jones hopes to one day have a charcuterie board with an assortment of fresh fruits, cheese, and crackers.

Until then, Jones will be keeping a stash of Yerba Mate — because it's the kind of caffeine that leaves him energized without the jitters — and stocking up on Buc-ees' famous Beaver Snacks when he passes one on the road.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Arden Jones' favorite tour snacks, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Photo: Courtesy of GEMINI

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While most artists are concerned about their diet when creating their tour rider, Korean R&B singer GEMINI is most focused on building a pleasant, fragrant environment.

When Korean R&B artist GEMINI is building his tour rider, the first thing on his mind is scents — and that's why perfume and gum are the top priorities on his list.

As GEMINI reveals in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, he is sensitive to smells he dislikes. With that in mind, the first thing he does at every hotel is spray his trusty floral Le Labo perfume.

"Personally, I'm not a big fan of woody scents," GEMINI explains. "I think I might have trouble adjusting, so I spray a lot of perfume to help me adjust."

In addition to smells around him, GEMINI likes to keep his breath minty fresh — and mind active — with a pack of Orbit gum. "[I chew it] whenever I'm on the move, feel bored, or want to stay awake," he says.

Once GEMINI is ready to hit the stage, he does a quick warm-up with lip trills and acting exercises. "I make a lot of effort to act with sentiment, so I believe that having a mindset before a performance is crucial," he details.

Press play on the video above to learn more about GEMINI's touring mindset, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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