Interview: Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby is a piano player/singer-songwriter who works in many different styles and with a wide range of other artists. His latest release is the live album, Bride of the Noisemakers. He recently discussed playing with the Grateful Dead, how he is always looking to expand his sound and his passion for modern classical music. McClain Johnson: How old were you when you first started playing piano? Bruce Hornsby: I started really late. I started at age 17, junior year in high school, for a couple of inspirational reasons. My older brother, Bobby Hornsby, was the original musician in our band. He was the guy who had bands in junior high school and late elementary…
Interview: Horace Moore WSP Archivist
Horace Moore is the archivist for Widespread Panic. He heads up the band’s archival multitrack releases, Porch Songs releases and podcasts. McClain Johnson: When did you first become interested in tape trading? Horace Moore: It was kind of interesting, because I grew up in southeast Georgia. All I had growing up was the radio and 8-tracks and just one record store. It was kind of Top 40 oriented. I can remember back in grade school, high school, just getting worn out on the same version of a song. So when I got introduced to the Grateful Dead, once I got to college, that was one thing that I really picked up on immediately. This is…
Interview Hangout Fest Co-Founder AJ Niland
The Healing Power of Rock’n’Roll: An interview with Hangout Festival Co-Founder AJ Niland AJ Niland is the co-founder of the Hangout Music Festival. This year’s festival will be held May 20th-22nd in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Artists playing this year include Paul Simon, Widespread Panic, My Morning Jacket, the Drive-By Truckers, Umphrey’s McGee, Warren Haynes, Xavier Rudd, and many more. AJ recently called in to discuss the how the festival came together, his favorite sets, and how the festival persevered after the devastating oil spill. McClain Johnson: How’d the idea for the Hangout Festival first come together? AJ Niland: It really was my company and my partner in the festival, Shaul Zislin, got together to do…
Interview: Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann is a legend. He redefined jamming as a member of the Grateful Dead. Bill Kreutzmann’s latest project is 7 Walkers, a collaboration between himself, Matt Hubbard, Papa Mali, lyricist Robert Hunter, and several bassists (including Reed Mathis, George Porter Jr, and Kirk Joseph). He recently called in to discuss the formation of 7 Walkers, how music inspires what he plays, and how he approaches jamming. McClain: How did 7 Walkers first come together? Bill Kreutzmann: My girlfriend turned me on to Papa Mali. I got to hear him play live and I really enjoyed his music. That was how it started for me, just hearing him play. He’s a really good musician. McClain:…
Interview: Brendan Bayliss of Umphrey’s McGee
Brendan Bayliss is the guitarist and co-founder of Chicago-based band Umphrey’s McGee. Their upcoming dates include the Hangout Music Festival and Summercamp. Brendan called in to discuss the growth of their fanbase, his favorite places to play, and how Umphrey’s sound has evolved. ————————– McClain Johnson: How old were you when you first started playing guitar? Brendan Bayliss: I started playing guitar right around Christmas break my freshman year in high school. My older brother brought one home from college. I was 14 when I started playing. McClain: Do you remember the first full song you learned on guitar? Brendan: “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. McClain: You guys tour all the time. What have been some…
Interview: Mike Gordon
Searching For the Space Between Fantasy and Reality. Mike Gordon is best known as the bassist for Phish and is currently on a solo headlining club tour in support of his latest solo album, Moss. Following five highly acclaimed tours in ’08, ’09 and ’10, Mike returns with the same five-piece lineup, including longtime collaborator Scott Murawski on guitar, Vermonters Craig Myers on percussion and Tom Cleary on keyboards and Brooklyn drummer Todd Isler. Yesterday Bands That Jam had a chance to chat with Mike on topics included his his creative process, lucid dreaming, and his state of mind while jamming. ———————– McClain Johnson: How does your creative process work when making songs? Do you…
