On April 30th a handful of the most talented performers and songwriters from Camber-ville-ton and beyond will gather at the Davis Square Theatre in Somerville to pay tribute to the one and only Bob Dylan. A man who has influenced so many songwriters over the years it only seems right to pay homage in song.
We will be catching up with those songwriters over the next few weeks leading up to the show…today the very first artist on our list is the incomparable Greg Klyma.
1) So…Bob Dylan. How has listening to Dylan shaped you as a songwriter over the years? Anything in particular stand out as steering you down this road?
GK: How has Michelangelo shaped sculpting? How has the Bible influenced literature? Aren’t a lot of preachers Jesus-esque?
2) Favorite 3 Dylan songs…go!
GK: Off of which album? My favorite 3 on Freewheelin’ are “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Girl from the North Country” and “Masters of War.” That’s not to say that I don’t like “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” and “Bob Dylan’s Dream.” It’s just you asked for three. Now, on The Times They Are A-Changin’, I like…
3) Without giving too much away, what are the reasons behind your song choices for covering Dylan?
GK: Bob Dylan is constantly interpreting his songs. Shit, before Desire was released in January 1976, he was already playing different versions of those songs live in Nov-Dec. 1975, as documented on the Bootleg Series of the Rolling Thunder Review. He’s created the deepest catalog of material in the world. I play the ones I feel I can play well. Sometimes I challenge myself to play the ones I can’t pull off. Now that’s a apt tribute.
4) One thing that both Red Line Roots and For the Sake of the Song are keen on is community development and fostering. How have you seen that grow here in town over the years (or in your own music community?)? Do you think it has become stronger? Anything you’d like to see change?
GK: I’ve not lived in town very long. Touring brought me here for years and I made a lot of friends. The primary attraction to moving to Somerville was the community that was already going strong. It’s a welcoming, community-drive place and this appeals to me. I’ve done my part to dive in and pay it forward. We’re all in this together. We all shine on.
5) Anything else, please plug away at anything you have going on personally as an artist that you would like to clue folks in on!
GK: Come on out to PA’s Lounge on an Americana Monday night. It’s a great place to get to know one another and to learn each others music. Once I know ya, there’s a good chance I’ll get you up on stage to sing everybody a song. I know I’d like to hear your stuff and learn how to play along. Come out and raise a toast with us to the good life. See ya on April 30 at the Davis Square Theater and every Monday night at PA’s for Americana Mondays
And be sure to get your tickets for the show in advance!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/591582
Greg can be found online at: