Traitors and Vanderpump Star Tom Sandoval Opens Up About Music, Covers, and His Upcoming Tour – INTERVIEW

Tom Sandoval brings The Most Extras Back on Tour, with Texas dates this September.

Tom Sandoval is keeping busy. Between Vanderpump Rules, The Traitors, House of Villains, and America’s Got Talent, the reality TV personality has been in front of the camera nonstop. But this fall, he’s trading TV sets for concert stages as he hits the road with his band, Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras.

The 8-member group kicks off their tour with Texas stops on September 19 at Haute Spot in Cedar Park, before heading to Houston’s Warehouse Live Midtown on September 21 and Tannahill’s Tavern in Fort Worth on September 22.

Sandoval told me that launching the tour in Texas feels like the perfect way to set the tone. “I love getting back on the road. I love performing, and I love getting the band out there,” he said. “It’s so much fun, especially starting off in Austin and then hitting Houston right after that.”

Making Covers Their Own

As a cover band, The Most Extras thrives on reinventing timeless tracks. Sandoval explained that their secret is putting a modern spin on classics while respecting the originals. “If a song came out in the ’70s or ’80s, maybe the solo or certain effects feel dated,” he said. “We’ll update those, add new rhythms, put in musical breaks, and even create eight-part harmonies.”

One fan favorite is their version of A-ha’s “Take On Me,” which Sandoval says works because the band isn’t afraid to have fun with it. “Hitting all the high notes is important, but we also add brass, which gives it a whole new flavor.” Another highlight is “Joker and the Thief” by Wolfmother, which Sandoval calls one of his personal favorites. “We’ve got a saxophone solo going on while a guitar solo happens, and our guitarist uses a pitch shifter that makes it sound like a revving engine. It’s really cool.”

Beyond the Cameras

While most fans know Sandoval for his TV persona, he hopes people also see his lifelong connection to music. “At one point, I was a backup dancer, and I’ve played trumpet since the fourth grade,” he shared. In fact, he wore the same black gloves on America’s Got Talent that he last wore in high school marching band, during a halftime trumpet solo of “Music of the Night.”

Performing on AGT was a whole different challenge compared to his concerts. “There was so much pressure. On tour, we’re playing in party environments, but AGT meant narrowing a song down to two minutes in front of judges,” he said. “Seeing that first big smile from Simon Cowell during our audition was unforgettable.”

Strategy, Fans, and Buc-ee’s

Sandoval also reflected on his time on The Traitors, where his best advice to future Faithfuls is to stay balanced. “Don’t be too aggressive when going after Traitors. Plan your attacks, get people on your side, and try to stay under the radar.”

Still, it’s the road that brings him the most joy. “Every city has its own vibe. Meeting fans across the country is amazing, and when you wake up in a new place, you’re there for one reason only—and that’s to perform.”

When it comes to road rituals, Sandoval admits he has a few essentials.

He always packs his AirPods, in-ear monitors, and a teacup. On stage, he drinks tea mixed with honey and melted gummy bears—a trick he picked up from Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger. And when the tour bus makes pit stops, there are two places he never misses: Buc-ee’s and Whataburger. “If you haven’t been to Buc-ee’s, you’ve gotta check it out,” he said with a laugh.

Ready to Rock

With Tom Schwartz along for part of the run, and a setlist full of high-energy covers reinvented with brass and big harmonies, Sandoval is eager to bring his band back to Texas. “I’ll be seeing you in person soon,” he said. “I’m stoked.”

Fans can catch Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras on tour now, with full dates available through the band’s official site.

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