Leftover Salmon Makes A Statement With “House of Cards”: VINCE HERMAN INTERVIEW

Leftover Salmon recently performed in the Ivy Ballroom of the Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, CO.  The March show was part of a Colorado tour, including WinterWonderGrass Festival, and Sheridan Opera House in Telluride.

Should music be political?

Should artists stick to their art and keep their noses out of politics? Or has art, music especially, always been tied up in the state of current affairs?

Does music have a responsibility to assert itself into issues that face people today?  Does music drive people to make change?

These are questions that have certainly faced Leftover Salmon front man Vince Herman in the 30+ years he’s been in this business.

On a recent evening, in a full and energetic Ivy Ballroom in Buena Vista’s Surf Hotel, Leftover Salmon departed from their polyethnic Cajun slamgrass party vibe to get serious and address the current state of affairs.

The first set of music featured the Salmon classic, “Gulf of Mexico,” a song that was never originally intended to have political implications, but now clearly does.  Shortly following was another Drew Emmitt penned tune, “Troubled Times.”  This fan favorite can be taken as an homage to hope: “Blow, winds, blow.  Blow away these troubled times.”   But those that know Leftover Salmon can expect that there is always something deeper lying beneath the surface.

Towards the end of their second set, Leftover Salmon took a turn from the raucous dance party that had filled the bulk of the song selection, and Vince Herman laid down his guitar to focus on the mic.

As the opening chords of “House of Cards” settled on the room, the Salmon faithful looked around at one another with knowing glances.

It had been quite some time since the Vince Herman tune had made an appearance, but those in-the-know completely understood why the song was re-emerging.

This is not normal
This has got to end
This is not who we are
Love is gonna win again

In a week that saw the sudden dismantling of decades of American foreign policy in an unhinged Oval Office press conference, followed by a Presidential joint address to Congress that was anything but presidential, we are left wondering exactly what normal is anymore.

In fact, during that address, New Mexico Representative Melanie Stansbury was seen holding up a handwritten sign proclaiming, “This Is Not Normal,” which was childishly ripped from her hands by Lance Gooden, a House Republican from Texas

No, not normal at all.

Vince Herman on “House of Cards”

“I wrote ‘House of Cards’ a couple of years into trump’s first term,” explains Vince Herman.   “It was clear he was tearing down environmental protections, and putting control of the government into the hands of those regulated by it. It was heartbreaking then, and it’s even worse now that all controls built into the constitution are being weakened by his power grabs.”

“House of Cards” instantly gained popularity, and the band released a powerful video to accompany the anthem.

Vince Herman, in the video notes says, “The revolution will not be televised. It will be streamed and forwarded. Now is the time to reject the hatred we see coming from so many and bring love and acceptance back into our national agenda. We hope this video can help nudge our country in that direction quickly. This is not normal and love must win again. Our world depends on it.”

That was in 2018.

We all know what happened next.

Historians will debate for ages, but our democracy was threatened, and it withstood the test. Then, in November 2024, the unthinkable happened, and in January 2025 we were thrust back into the chaos of an administration bent on destroying the fabric of democracy.

Because of this, it was no surprise to most in attendance at the Ivy Ballroom when “House of Cards” made its way back into the repertoire.

“We were in trouble then and we’re in even bigger trouble now,” says Herman.  “Bringing the song back just feels necessary since things have escalated so sharply in his second term.”

Herman has always been outspoken, both on and off the stage.

“Music has always been therapy for me,” Herman continues.  “It’s a chance to spill the thoughts in my head onto a page and maybe make some sense of the world in my own way. Sharing those thoughts on stage is even deeper therapy than the writing. We need to acknowledge the attack on our country in our conversations with friends and family, and we need to stand up for our way of government or lose it.  ‘The price of freedom is eternal vigilance,’  I think is what they say.  So we are just doing our part with the platform we have.”

Herman doesn’t limit his platform to the stage.  He has a voice and a large following on social media, and is not afraid to speak his mind, despite what some fans may feel.  In fact, at times he faces stark disagreement to his public sentiments, but that is ok with him.

“People have told me to stay in my lane, shut up, and play music; but, I love and know this country very much and don’t feel I have the luxury of not speaking my truth at such a dangerous time, with such a dangerous man in charge. Luckily, we’ve been training for this moment since 1776, we got this, if we engage.”

“House of Cards” concluded that evening with a huge applause and recognition of the power it conveys.  We felt Herman’s, and all of Leftover Salmon’s, energy, their power, their voice. We felt connected, and through the power of the song, we, in turn, felt powerful.

Herman concludes, “‘House of Cards’ speaks the truth now as much or even more than it did in his [trump’s] first term. I owe producer Steve Berlin my thanks for suggesting I use less names and specifics and step back for the big picture. We’re still in that picture.”

As part of that big picture, it is fitting how the band chose to follow “House of Cards” on that night in Colorado.  After a brief moment of reflection, as Herman once again donned his acoustic guitar, Leftover Salmon headed into different territory, with “Something Higher.”

Somewhere beyond madness is a world of harmony
Between destiny and free will, heaven and the deep blue sea
So harvest your intentions and then plant another seed
Cause it’s just your own reflections that you’re always gonna see

Show me something higher
Show me a better way
Show me something higher
Show me a better way

We owe a debt to Vince Herman and Leftover Salmon, and all of the artists who fight to be heard, who are never afraid to speak their minds, despite the consequences.

Together, we will find a better way.

As “House of Cards” so poignantly states:

This is not who we are

Love is gonna win again.

❤️