Photo by Rob Chapman
RR: As you well know, 24/7, there are so many different personalities in Umphrey’s; yet, you were able to capture all of the varied sonic mixtures on the album. And it works, too. You also managed to include the point of view of the audience. The last track, “Hajimemashite” has been a fan favorite for a long time—great live song that has never been recorded on a studio album. How did you land on that particular arrangement for Death by Stereo?
JC: We wanted to definitely retain a live feel to “Haj.” It was really important for me to cut the solo at the end and play how I would play normally live—and with the vocal performance. The idea about the song, too, is that it has a very dynamic push. It starts with just the naked acoustic guitar and Bayliss singing without any instrumental backup until that second verse pops in. It’s like a real strategic and dynamic placement.
Then, I had an idea for the string part. I wanted that big Paul Buckmaster-type orchestral arrangement where it wasn’t really complex, but it complements the chord structure, just that big Rolling Stones-type kick ass arena ballad with the strings. I always wanted that…what’s the vibe I’m thinking…“Moonlight Mile.”
RR: Sticky Fingers.
JC: Yeah. Funnily enough, the last song on that Sticky Fingers record. To me, with “Haj” as the last song, it has that vibe to it, too, a little bit.
RR: Overall, your guitar solos on the record are very lyrical. The solos could be their own chorus section of the song, and they are just as memorable as any hook. Do you think of that sort of angle when you lay down the solo in the studio?
JC: Yeah, to me, I think that is one of the most important things. To be a soloist is to be really intentional in a David Gilmouresque kind of way. He’s one of my favorite lyricists on guitar because every note that he plays is almost written. The idea is that it doesn’t necessarily sound improvised, but it sounds written out, or definitely thought out. It even goes back to the Eddie Van Halen guitar solos on some of those records. They are so mapped out and perfect. And, you know, why not? It goes back to once it is recorded, you can’t look back, so it better be right. (laughs) Because I don’t want to hear this record ten years from now and not wanting to hear it again. I don’t want to be bitter about it.
RR: Who arranged the strings for “Deeper”?
JC: Our string arranger guy is Nathan Swanson, who is out of Chicago, and he did a lot of the Mantis stuff, also. It’s actually just one guy, and he comes in and does like 60 overdubs and it sounds like a symphony. He’s got a great ear, and basically, we sent some ideas his way, and he comes back with different drafts and ideas and, “oh, this one is going to work.” We’ve got a great team of sonic helpers out there. That’s for sure.
RR: Speaking of great ears, besides your own sets, Umphrey’s played Summer Camp at the end of May as Huey Lewis & the rUMors. On paper, it doesn’t appear that Huey would click with you guys, but he does, which goes all the way back to his first inspired appearance with the band at the Jammy Awards.
JC: Right. Being such a fan of that era, anyways, and our age range, all of us are huge fans as kids, so it’s like Huey is Uncle Huey. He tells the best stories, and he’s exactly the way you’d imagine him. He’s just always on, and a brilliant person. He’s got a steel trap mind, too. He remembers everyone’s first name. He’s got a great memory. And, you know, we respect him, and over time, he really respects us. It’s a really good feeling at the end of a show with him. He’s like Umphrey’s family.
RR: Let’s talk about some shows. Umphrey’s has some marquee events coming up—a Halloween run at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Thanksgiving in Chicago, and your first trip to St. Louis for a New Year’s Eve run. How was that locale selected?
JC: I’m really looking forward to them. It’s all about new spaces and new places. We’ve definitely gotten into a grid of playing a lot of the same areas for a lot of the big holidays. We wanted to change it up a little bit, and give the south a little love because we’ve got such a big, budding fan base down south. And really nowadays, it’s really easy to travel. Everyone is jumping into planes and getting into places. It gets people out of their comfort zone. If you’re from Chicago, you can come down and enjoy a little time in Atlanta or St. Louis. It works in the long run, and it’s fresh for us because it’s another place for us to do our magic show on a special night. Thanksgiving will be a blast at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. We’ve got some really special things coming up. I think we’re having the Chicago mass choir come back for that one.
RR: As far as Chicago hometown dates, looking a bit back, how did the Dave Matthews Band Caravan spot go for Umphrey’s in early July?
JC: That was great. We had a little bit of time off and, all of a sudden, we had that show coming up, and all of our families came out because it was so close to home. Dave and the boys are such gracious hosts, and they’ve been really good to us over the years.
RR: With Red Rocks just before that on July 3.
JC: Red Rocks is the place to play, and probably the best stage in America to play. It really has that vibe and everyone has played there. It’s got stardust all over the stage.
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