BLAST: Did you say you wrote the bass lines for all the tracks?

JE: No, I didn’t write the bass for all the tracks because we played it as a band in the studio. James Cook is an amazing bass player and I wouldn’t presume to tell him what to do, but there’s a few things that I came up with myself beforehand, and there’s a few things where he was like, hey man that’s a really cool part.

BLAST: You just mentioned your band. I hear they’re a real class act. What do you like about working with them?

JE: I just can’t imagine how I’ve come to be with people who are not only unbelievably good at what they do”"they’re all phenomenal players, they could play with anybody in the world, they really could”"but they also happen to be good, ethical guys. When the shit goes down I know they’ve got my back and they’re willing to do things for free or for far less than they’re worth, and they care about me as a human being, and they respect me as an artist, but mostly they care about me as a human being and that’s an amazing thing to have. You don’t expect that, and when you finally find it it’s a real blessing.

BLAST: Are you and your band going on tour?

JE: I am. I’m doing a few gigs this summer in Washington and Oregon and doing some stuff here in Nashville. I’m hopeful that in the fall we’ll be able to do a little bit more of the tour, but I know times are tough. We’ll have to wait and see. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in Europe in the spring. I’m hopeful that that’ll lead to some more opportunities because the stage is really where I have the most fun.

BLAST: What do you like most about performing live shows?

JE: The communication. Being able to sing directly to the people and then after the show being able to go out and talk to the people and hear their stories. Most of the time these folks are passionate about music, passionate enough to spend their money on these shows, leave their homes and see it live. That’s become a rare thing so I just love getting to meet the people.

BLAST: What can your fans expect from you during a live show?

JE: Volume. And a lot of passion! I grew up pretty devoutly religious (I’m not anymore), but I still have this intrinsic desire to preach, so no matter what the song’s about, you’re going to get a little of the sweaty Mississippi preacher-man. That’s just how I roll. That’s the kind of entertainment I like. It’s a pretty tiring live performance.

BLAST: Many of your songs have lyrics that tell a story, like “The Good Life” “Little Black Dress” even “Bad Things.” Where do these stories come from that you write your lyrics about?

JE: A lot of them are made-up bullshit stories. “The Good Life” is an interesting song because it’s a lyric which I’d written all out before I got together with my guitar player to write the whole song, and it was initially written all in first person. Just about a guy who’s completely screwed up, based on some true story stuff, but once we got together we figured out that three little vignettes would be more compelling. So they’re based on what I see and feel. I’m a big book nerd, I’m a big news junkie, I really enjoy some C-Span and a good glass of whiskey. They come from all over. I try to keep my eyes and ears open.

Blast: Did you say you’re a book nerd? What’s your favorite book?

JE: My favorite book”"and don’t take this the wrong way”"is probably between “Lolita” and “East of Eden.” My business partner is actually a professor of English literature at the University of Texas. He’s the guy who runs my record company. He gives dissertations on Walt Whitman that go so far over my head I can’t see straight. I do love the written word.

BLAST: It definitely shows in your lyrics.

JE: I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Thank you.

BLAST: Besides reading, what are you listening to right now?

JE: Right now I’m listening to the new Cracker record, which I think is epic. I think it’s just brilliant. It’s a punk record basically. I am listening to the new U2 record, because I’m a big U2 nerd. I’m actually a member of their fan club. I’ve never been a member of a fan club in my life, but they send you these B-Sides that are really cool, so I figured it was worth it. And I’m listening to “Red Revelations” so I can remember my lines! And I’m listening to Tom Waitts first record from way back when, called “Closing Time.”

BLAST: If you could tell your fans one thing before they listen to “Red Revelations”, what would it be?

JE: Pour yourself a tall one.

BLAST: Eight fingers of whiskey, right?

JE: Middleton’s, preferably.

BLAST: I’ll make sure to pass that along. But we’re just about out of time. Are you on Twitter or Facebook?

JE: I am on both. And it’s just my personal Facebook page, but if anyone wants to friend me on Facebook, I will friend them back. I’ve got Myspace, and also JaceEverett.com. If someone posts something on JaceEverett.com, nine times out of ten I’ll post back to them. Only reason I don’t is because I don’t have time, but I try to make time for that every day.

BLAST: Final question. What’s next for you?

JE: Well, I hope selling a shit-load of copies of Red Revelations. It’s the best record I’ve ever made, and I’m really proud of it and it really represents who I am. My goal is to get as many people as I can to check it out and pass their judgment, “yay” or “nay”, and get ready to make the next record.

I don’t know whether it was his sense of humor or his soft Texas accent, but I could stand to hear a little more. Jace Everett’s new album, “Red Revelations” came out June 23from Weston Boys Entertainment. You can get it from your local record store, but if you can’t wait that long, it’s also available on iTunes and Amazon.

1 2

About The Author

Bombshell executive editor Jess d'Arbonne works in book publishing. In her non-existent spare time she writes about nerd culture, books, feminism, and zombies. She's a Libra, a Browncoat, a self-professed geek, and nobody's fool. You can follow her on Twitter @JessDarb

4 Responses

  1. lynnpd99

    Jace is a great musician. I have already purchased his new album and love it. Bad Things is an iconic song and I look forward to the new things he will continue to write and perform.

    Reply

Leave a Reply