For as much time as Todd Snider has spent on the road, it would only seem natural that a van be his vehicle, home and office. It’s from this mobile office he conducts the day-to-day business of being a would-be star.

“I’ve been on the road for about two years now,” he said from the van progressing toward Iowa with his band The Nervous Wrecks. But his transient life may be drawing to a close.

“I’ve almost always been on the road, even when I was young,” he explained. “But for the first time in my life, that [settling down] might be nice.

“I never thought that’d be cool before. But who knows? Settle down, get a cow and dog— that could be good.”

Life for Snider would already be considered good, or better, by many musician’s standards. He first drew attention with his 1994 debut album Songs For the Daily Planet. The rowdy bar rock and ’60s-style protest songs struck a chord with many.

Getting a lot of air play, and laughs, was his “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues” which told the tale of a grunge band that makes it big by refusing to play a note.

Now armed with a new disc, Step Right Up, Snider hasn’t lost his humor or creativity. The new album takes the listener on a journey along the two-lane potholed roads of America.

But what began as a concept album about two mountain men named Elmo and Henry and their trip to town to join the circus became something quite different.

“I’d been working on that story for a long time,” he said of the tale of Elmo and Henry. “But when I began recording, other songs came out. So I did some songs I wanted to do and the album ended up totally different.”

What “came out” were songs ranging from satirical slam (“TV Guide”) to the chronicles of a hangover (“Late Last Night”). Not forgetting his original blueprint, though, Elmo and Henry appear and reappear throughout as does a circus theme.

“My life was a circus [when writing the songs]. Especially last year,” he said. “I thought I was in a circus. I was juggling for a living.”

If Snider was a juggler, friend of the band Moon Dawg, was the clown. Owner of a honky-tonk [well, an illegal] bar in his garage Snider and group spent so much time at Moon Dawg’s, they became the house band. Snider pays tribute to him with the song “Moon Dawg’s Tavern.”

It’s these true-to-life characters and life stories that have become a Snider trademark. Snider, who fancies himself a storyteller, said he enjoys playing the role of “bullshitter.”

“I tell the truth,” he said. “I hope I’m not the only one though. My songs are always real true. But, if they get too personal, I might change them.”

Snider’s “truth” has earned him the title of cynic to some. Snider said it’s not cynicism, but rather affection that draws him to make his conclusions.

“I think anybody that cares deeply about this country can’t help but be a bit of a cynic these days,” he said.

Snider and the Wrecks will be at People’s Bar and Grill tomorrow with Iowa City’s own High and Lonesome opening. Showtime is 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 day of show. ID is required.