On Songwriting, Self-Reflection, and Champagne at Denny’s: A Conversation with Aaron Lee Tasjan
If I had to answer the question of who your favorite songwriter is today, It would be very difficult for me to not answer with Aaron Lee Tasjan. The East Nashville based songwriter has burrowed his way deep into my heart with his witty lyrics and even more inventive quick banter on stage…plus the guy is an incredible guitarist. Releasing not one, but two of my favorite projects last year with the 4 song, aptly-named-for-a-folk-songwriter, Telling Stories to the Wall and the absolutely brilliant rocker In The Blazes put him on not just my own, but many publications, music lovers, and artists watch lists.
Tasjan has been known for his brutally honest nature in both his songs and between tune ramblings. The man can tell a story, be it in spoken blues form, rock n’ roll countrified twang, or straight faced and staring you dead on from his place on the stage.
He makes his way to our neck of the woods tomorrow evening with a show at Atwoods Tavern alongside a truly killer band. Last time I caught Tasjan was by himself, armed acoustic guitar and a silver tongue but this time around I am looking forward to the more rock n’ roll side of the artists as he takes the stage in one of our favorite spots in the city. We caught up with ALT to talk about the past year, that record that seemingly everyone fell in love with, and coming back to the Boston area. Check it out…
RLR: Last time we caught up in interview format it was leading into Newport Folk Festival. A lot has changed since then. We called “In The Blazes” the best record released in 2015 and that sentiment certainly wasn’t limited to our scope with acclaim across the board for the record. How has that impacted you as an artist, for better or for worse?
ALT: Folk singers are like patrons of Denny’s, nobody is expecting champagne. Actually, let me rephrase…folk singers are patrons of Denny’s.
RLR: You also released quite the video for “Don’t Walk Away” that had quite a throwback kind of a vibe. Can you tell us a little bit about the idea for that video and the choices you made with the production? The video ends with To Be Continued message…so can we expect a follow up?
ALT: I made that video with Curtis Wayne Millard who is the most genius director I know…doesn’t say much for him but it’s true. He had the concept for the whole thing and I loved it…we partied with those bikers a ton…we even went to a strip club mid shoot…did I mention there’s nothing worse than arriving at a strip club when you didn’t know you were going there in the first place? Story of my life. I am forever arriving at a place I don’t want to go.
RLR: I briefly asked you this question in regards to Newport a while back, but with the ever growing popularity of the artist community of East Nashville and “painting their white collars blue” folks moving into town have you seen a drastic (or any) effect on the artist community?
ALT: I have seen so much beauty…in the songs and people…the gravity of that far outweighs the bad parts. There’s a negative side to anything if you want to find it. East Nashville is the new target…to poke fun at certainly but also we must revel in it’s existence…Todd Snider, Chuck Mead, Elizabeth Cook, Kevin Gordon and so many others laid the ground work for people like me to move there and find a place in the crowd. It’s the center of the revolution. Now we got Margo Price, Joe Fletcher, Brian Wright, Darrin Bradbury and a new guy named Jon Latham who is going to absolutely blow you away.
RLR: Part of why I am so drawn to you and your music is you don’t seem to take yourself entirely too seriously. You are real with yourself, your audience and your writing. I read the recent article in The East Nashvillian and you mentioned “Look, I’m talking about myself as much as anyone,” in regards to your tune ENSAAT. Was that a learning process for you? The music industry and being an artist is a turbulent and oftentimes depressing landscape, what advice would you give to folks on the other side of the fence?
ALT: I think subconscious songwriting can be a great lesson. If you can allow yourself to be introspective on a certain level it will reveal turmoil, personality flaws and assets and give you a lot to think about. I am interested in learning myself at every turn and trying to get better. Songwriting plays a role in that for me. That includes laughing at myself sometimes. I’m as guilty as anyone of feeling like I wish I had this or that, but to quote Stephen Wright, “You can’t have everything, where would you put it?” My advice is simple: know yourself, don’t be afraid to be intellectual about your approach. Work on your songs until you think they say exactly what you feel and sing them in such a way that the listener believes you. Never think about how to make your music sell and wash the dishes after dinner whenever possible.
RLR: So who are you listening to right now? Any songwriters you would really like to turn folks onto?
ALT: Yes. Zach Schmidt has become a new favorite. I am also really digging Darrin Bradbury’s new album. Jon Latham I mentioned…Cale Tyson is really good, Erica Blinn is one to watch out for too. There’s some great music happening.
RLR: Boston. I (and many other folks up here) have been hoping you would make your way here for a while and we were pretty close with you joining our mutual pal Zach Schmidt a few months back. Any initial thoughts about coming to our fair city?
ALT: I love Boston. I moved there in 2004 for a girl but it didn’t work out probably because who would ever want to date someone who goes to Berklee…not her, that’s for sure…but man, Dennis Brennan and Duke Levine and Kevin Barry and so many badasses are there. I can’t wait.
RLR: What does the rest of 2016 hold for ALT?
I just did a commercial for Willie Nelson’s new weed company. It’s the only thing I care about right now…
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Tasjan and company will be at Atwoods Tavern tomorrow night (thats Tuesday, 3/29). Tickets can still be had right on over HERE. We will see you there folks.
