There is a lot of loss in this record. It is very relatable and very human. In the song “Jericho” you sing about trying to get back to another world.

That is the hopefulness of the record. When you are dealing with so much bull shit that gets in the way and you want to knock down that wall so you can get back to a better place. It’s not about quitting or leaving it is about the fight.

I know that you are from New York so is the song “Jericho”, about Jericho, NY or Jericho in the Bible?

It’s about the Biblical story and the walls coming down.

So “Jericho” is a metaphor for relationship walls coming down?

That’s right.

You say some of the same things in the song “Love You Tonight” about getting back to another place. Is that the same concept?

That song is about using sex to make up. Sometimes you just shut up and there is nothing left to be said and you just do it: “I know I messed up so let me make it up to you.”

The song “Murder Me” is one of my other favorites. It is so dark that I almost can’t listen to it, but it has really grabbed me. I almost feel like I’m listening to a Nick Cave song. You use some interesting imagery when you talk about the “mercy seat of my last heart beat”, and “red blood warm and holy wine.” Those are very spiritual concepts. I want to know what you’re driving at in this song?

When you have given so much of yourself that there is nothing left. It gets beyond the flesh and it is spiritual.

Is it sacrificial love?

Yes, I would say that it is. That you are sacrificing everything of yourself for this person.

I feel like your record has described about every relationship I’ve had. Love hurts.

That’s it. That is the feeling of the record, and at one point I felt that I couldn’t let this go out because it is so personal, but this is the human experience.

You cover some great songs on your record. “Blue Bayou, “Cry Cry Darlin”, and Bob Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman.” What motivated you to interpret those songs?

“Blue Bayou” is one that I had been doing and loved to sing, and when I was at TRI Bob Weir was rehearsing for Dead & Co., and I had a residency at TRI Studios, and I was singing “Blue Bayou”, and Bob walked in, and we just decided right there to try it. It just happened. With “Just Like a Woman” I picked up a ukulele and started strumming the chords to that song and started singing the chorus. Mark was putting mics up around me and he started recording it as I was warming up. I did not plan on doing that song on the album but we did it, loved it, and decided to keep it.

“Cry Cry Darlin” was a surprise and a little unexpected because it is an old country bluegrass song.

That’s another one that just happened, but it fits with the theme of the record. During that time period I was doing more country music, and I love Bill Monroe, and we got a good take out of it.

I first discovered you on Bob Weir’s Campfire tour when he came to the Capitol Theatre, and then I saw you with Voodoo Dead at Irving Plaza in Manhattan. How did the opportunity to play with Weir come about?

When I was living in London, Justin Kreutzmann was doing a documentary on Pete Townsend. I was being managed by The Who’s management at the time and they told Justin to come check me out. Justin found found a video of me doing “Friend of The Devil” in Pete Shapiro’s office for Relix from some time ago, and they thought Bob would like it. Bob saw it and he invited me to do a taping of Weir Here with him.

What was it like to record with Weir?

He’s so easy. He’s not a perfectionist, but he knows what it takes to get a good take.

Is that him playing guitar on “Blue Bayou?”

Yes that’s him. We recorded it live together and we both play guitar on it.

Finally, how will you be supporting this record? Where can people you find you?

I have an album release party at Berlin bar on April 25th, and more tour dates will be listed on my website.

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