A Short Taxi Ride

How did you become a member of Great American Taxi?

Vince asked me to be a part of it for a benefit concert.

What was it like working with Vince Herman?

I love Vince dearly. He is the pied piper.

As a fan I love Vince too, but can you explain that sentiment from the perspective of a fellow musician?

It’s much like a friendship and mutual respect for each other that has developed over the years. I just think he is a kind, true, giving soul and I am proud to know him and be his friend.

You ended up leaving the band shortly after its formation, how come?

Originally, it was just supposed to be an all-star band for a benefit. It became something else, but it was never my intention to join a band. I was concentrating on my solo stuff.

Traveling Alone

You’ve just announced eight opening dates with Todd Snider. Can you tell us about that, how does that feel, where does the tour go?

I am very excited to be playing a batch of shows with Todd. I am a big fan of his work and I am honored to have been asked to open. The tour starts in Portland, Oregon and then heads up to Seattle for two nights, Boise, Salt Lake and ends up in Colorado. It’s always a pleasure and a treat to share your music with new fans and a challenge to win them over. And I’m also heading out after that and doing some northeast shows: Boston, New York City, and Vermont.

You recently recorded some tracks for a new album. How did that go?

I just got back from two weeks in Afterlife Studios in Vancouver and we recorded all of it live with a full band: producer/drummer John Raham, guitarist Jefferson Hamer, bassist Darren Parris and keyboardist Tyson Naylor. So far we have five tracks with strong foundations which we will build upon. The songs and production have an old school feel like Neil Young, Pink Floyd, and Bob Dylan. I’m trying to keep it real — not much overdubbing and over producing. Everything is heard and holds its own space. Everything has been recorded onto tape, as a result it has a nice warm sound to it. I am planning on putting it out on vinyl, so recording it to tape should bode well.

I also understand you have done a re-release of your 2009 solo album Once an Ocean. Why did you decide to do that?

Once an Ocean, never got radio or the proper publicity to give it a chance, so we had the means and thought it would be a good idea to throw it out there and build some momentum for the upcoming record. Radio stations are accepting and playing various songs from it, so I think it is working.

How would you describe your sound for fans that are not familiar with your work?

I would say roots music, indie folk with a country flair.

And here do you draw your inspiration as a singer songwriter?

All your typical places — love, sorrow, life experiences, and a lot of it is inexplicable.

And finally a line from one of your classic AJ songs, “…Now I wonder who can tell me what the nineties will bring, a band with no pickers and music without strings.” What are your feelings on the current state of music?

Oh I think pop music is the same as it always will be. I think with the Internet and YouTube there is a lot more room for all kinds of music and bands to have a shot at a career. I still listen to records. The old stuff still rings true to me. Listening to Townes Van Zandt on vinyl right now and having a nice cup of coffee, doesn’t get much better than that.

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