The first impression you get when encountering Two Car Garage is, wow, these guys really like to tour — a lot. The band plays, on average, around 200 shows a year. And with the release of Speaking In Cursive on Suburban Home Records, the touring life these fellows lead is nowhere near slowing down.

“That’s what it’s all about for us,” said Micah Schnabel, vocalist and one-half guitarist for the band. “We started touring since I was 19 years old. This has been my adult life. I have set myself up to do this.”

You could say that Two Cow Garage has a lot of constructive freedom. For a few years now, the band has been their life, a fully self-sustaining art for them. Not to say that it is easy.

“We live in a place were rent is low and bills are minimal,” Schnabel said. “You have to set your life up for it and take it all in stride. It’s tough sometimes, but it’s the decision I have made, and this is what we do.”

Growing up in a Midwestern Ohio town, Schnabel started playing drums at the age of 15. When he picked up a guitar, he knew that this would be as much a part of life for him as breathing or eating.

“When I moved to Columbus, I never left my apartment. I was always playing music and writing. It really was not a conscious decision to start up a band.”

From there, it has been non-stop. Schrabel formed Two Cow Garage with drummer Dustin Harigle, guitarist Chris Flint, and bassist Shane Sweeney. One release (Please Turn The Gas Back On) became two (The Wall Against Our Back), then became three (III).

With Speaking In Cursive adding to the bands resume, they not only had some difficulties but a revitalization to the band. When the group gathered their gear, booked a studio to record this album, and began making preparations for the work ahead of them, they experienced an unexpected blow. Harigle quit.

“We had been touring nonstop for six years, and it just got to him,” said Schnabel. “We weren’t making any money. I think he realized that this was a life career for us no matter what. I understand his decision. I believe that everything happens for a reason.”

And something did happen. They started out the studio sessions with a hired drummer while they were looking for someone permanent. Then one day, Schnabel received a call from a friend out in Ft. Collins, Colorado, suggesting a drummer from Ohio. Enter Cody Smith.

“It was totally ridiculous,” Schnabel joked. “We found out he only lived about 30 minutes away from us. He was right under our nose.”

For Micah, there are specific things in the band that have to click, like how well each musician fits into the equation, and Smith was that smooth transition they had hoped for. In addition to Smith, they also added longtime friend and keyboardist Andy Schell, a direction that is probably the most stark contrast to a Two Cow Garage release.

“I grew up with Andy, he said. “We played together in a cover band in high school. He has been playing piano for a while now, and it is great to have him join on. It’s nice to stretch the songs out artistically. We played one show with him, and it felt really good. It took pressure off me.”

Two Cow Garage, Speaking in Cursive out now on Suburban Home Records.

That laid back attitude is what dominates Speaking In Cursive. An album filled with power and bravado to each song, the group pays close attention to how each song is crafted, all starting out on acoustic guitars and ending up being a heavy dose of country and rock and roll combined. Either way their songs stack up like train cars rolling down the desert plains with nothing to stop them.

“Each song starts out as a folk song. I really love those old John Prine songs. If you listen closely, a lot of our songs sound like redone John Prine songs. I’m pretty sure at one point I re-wrote ‘Grandpa Was A Carpenter.’”

Whether it be the heavy ‘90s rock-tinged “Brass Ring” or the folk rock contemplation of spirit and place on “Not Your Friends,” Schnabel and the guys put as much power and devotion into every note.

“I have always played as hard as possible, even on slow songs,” he said.

It’s how they keep things fresh and evolving from album to album. “We threw out the rule book. I’ve watched friends throw themselves in corners and then fans want them to re-write the same album. We feel like we just have to let it be.

“Being at this level allows us the freedom to do whatever the hell we want to do and to hell with it, let it go and see what happens.”