Late last year, you released your most recent solo album ‘Love and Lore’. Can you tell us a little bit about how you brought the album together? What sort of headspace did you find yourself in during the making of the record?
Just like any project we begin, it starts with whatever is most current and exciting as well as relevant to us. [Frequent collaborator] Todd Beene was involved early on and throughout, but in the end became a very integral part of this record that would not have been the same without him. As far as the headspace goes, there was much reflection three of some trying times in both personal and business life and what better way to get through things like that then putting energy into the song?
It’s your first solo release in a decade and has been in the works for quite a number of years now; what was it like to piece it together over a longer period of time than some previous releases? How do you think that approach ended up shaping the album?
For the longest time, it was very frustrating that this record took so long to see the light of day, but in the end, we’re pleased that it rolled out the way that it did. I don’t believe the record would’ve been what it was without all the hangups and roadblocks, we had along the way up until the release date.
You had also been working on Hot Water Music records and have been focussed on your fly-fishing business and family life in the time between solo releases; what’s it like having these different varied outlets to explore your creativity and art? What sort of impact do you think that has on you as an artist?
Working towards a balance between providing for my family and doing all I can to stay true too those duties and keeping home financially stable through independent work while still being somewhat present can be difficult. Devoting all my time to music and touring would make me completely absent from my family. At the same time I’ve spent well over half of my life building a career that I both enjoy and it’s hard to fully walk away from. Having the different outlets definitely keeps life interesting, though, to be honest, I’d much prefer more time with my family, especially through my son’s childhood years.
Back in spring, you returned to the UK and Europe for a run of solo shows; how did those go, and how was it getting to air some of the new songs live?
Playing the new songs has been a thrill and we look forward to every chance we get to do so. The shows were great; Todd Beene and I had a wonderful time with Nate Bergman along the way.
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