Feedburner

Interview by Micky Marotta

HGMN: What's the best show you've seen?
Pritchard: That would be Stockholm Syndrome at the All Good Festival last year. They became really cohesive very quickly. I know they are great musicians but it did surprise me. I really enjoyed the show.

HGMN: What's your dream venue?
Pritchard: Suwannee Park in Langerado, FL is absolutely beautiful, with the white sand, 400 year old oak trees, Spanish moss....I love that place. Indoors would have to be the State Theater in Falls Church, WV. The sound is so professional. Their monitors are superb and being able to hear yourself is 80% of the battle in a live performance. I like the 930 Club in Washington, DC for the same reason. Of course, any Walther Productions event has great sound too....it's like coming home to play one of their events... it's very comfortable for us.

HGMN: If you could only have one of the big three utensils (knife, fork, spoon) to use for the rest of your life, which would be?
Pritchard: I've got to have the spoon, or perhaps a ladle. I could get by with a 12-ounce mug too!

HGMN: Do you prefer sitting in with other bands or having someone sit in with you?
Pritchard: This is not something I plan for either way. I think it's fun to sit in with other groups, and sometimes it will help an opening act if someone from our band sits in with them. I've had a lot of fun playing with Leftover Salmon. Vince Herman loves to try and trip me up...at Nelson's Ledges Quarry Park he not only tripped me up but also got himself and three band members into a big train wreck. I think it is hard for someone to sit in with us. I have a very technical method (Beatles roots) and it's not something everyone can do, especially if they are not familiar with the tune. Usually with guests we'll play an old standard that everyone knows.

HGMN: Do you have a favorite guest of the all the musicians that have sat in with the Recipe?
Pritchard: Jason Crosby is wonderful; he's really good at reading other musicians and knowing where they are going to go with something. He went on a few runs with us and we all really enjoyed it. Gordon Stone is great too, when he sits in with us, he doesn't want to leave after a song or too, and we don't want him to either.

HGMN: Historically, you've played so many shows in a year - how to you psych up for a show when you are really tired and how do you wind down after a show?
Pritchard: In 9 out of 10 years, we've played 200 plus dates. We are thinking of getting more balanced and keeping it at no more then 150 dates in a year. To get motivated, we look back to our first headlining gig that had maybe 24 people there. We crushed it for 3 hours and no one left until we were done. That example serves as a motivator, if we could play to such a small crowd and give it our all, we can do anything. As far as winding down, it takes me a while. I stay wired for several hours and it can be difficult to fall asleep. If that happens, I usually take a walk.

HGMN: What's the best entertainment on the road?
Pritchard: Vegas - I like to gamble. I also love playing festivals, because there is so much to see and do at them. Playing on the beach is great too.

HGMN: Of the songs you've written, what is your favorite to perform?
Pritchard: Typical Angel, Wrecking Ball and Holy Dice are all right up there. I gave it my all from a songwriter's point of view and I feel it shows. Make Time For Love is another one I am very proud of - it worked from the first time we played it!

HGMN: How do you feel about Clear Channel?
Pritchard: I would hate to start up a band at this point - it is very difficult to get heard, get airplay, or survive in today's market. Sometimes I think they forgot that it is about the music. I wish they were a little more open and honest. I also think organization is not a bad thing and they do have that going for them.

HGMN: How do you feel about Home Grown Music?
Pritchard: I think HGMN is the BEST thing that has happened to independent music in the last 100 years! We were in the first 25 bands to become an HGMN band and that is a bit of history for us, a legacy of sorts. The Night of the Porch People did great because of HGMN. Lee has been in our corner all these years and keeps us in the game. The grass roots efforts of promotion and music sharing has certainly helped us too. It's kind of funny, because we are pretty popular on the jam-band circuit, but we are not about the "space"...we are about the song. We are starting to get even more popular on the slam-grass circuit because of Leftover Salmon being out of the game now. I hate to move up the ranks that way, but we have to play the hand we're dealt.

HGMN: What sticks out as a stellar performance?
Pritchard: The show in Raleigh, NC about a month ago was really great - we did a lot of our new songs and it was very special. Another was the Gathering on the Mountains in the Pocono's Mountains...Magnolia Fest a few years ago also sticks out. I also really enjoyed the acoustic shows Julie and I have been doing...it was a smart thing to do, people realized that The Recipe is still kicking and it kept our music out there. A couple of those shows were really great. It also seems like some promoters were getting to the point they preferred just me, as it cost them less. That was okay while we were working out some changes, but that is not the direction we are taking. The Recipe is still going strong, and we're not done yet!

HGMN: Who are you listening to these days?
Pritchard: Johnny Cash has been getting a lot of play over the past couple of weeks. I am listening for something Julie & I can do a duet to, and there is some material that Johnny and June covered that appeals to me. I also have been listening to another HGMN band, New Monsoon - both my wife and I really enjoy their music. Some musicians write over people's heads and that is not something I want to do, I want the audience to connect and have a good time. We are in the business to make music that makes people feel better - forget about life's worries for a couple of hours and just enjoy our music. We are an ensemble that likes to focus on the basics. We have found that just going from song to song is the most effective for the audience. I think I like to listen to that kind of music too.

HGMN: What is your best road trip story?
Pritchard: A woman came up to me at a festival and did not have any idea who I was, but invited me to hang out with her....I ended up marrying her!

HGMN: What's the worst road trip hazard?
Pritchard: Bad routes are every band's nightmare. Sometimes I think booking agents do not know what an atlas is. Fifteen-hour drives to get to the next gig are very frustrating. Then, there's the dead vehicle, when you are in the desert 150 miles outside of Amarillo, TX and there is no cell phone reception and the trucks flying by look like they are going to hit you as you work on the van.... that's pretty hazardous.

HGMN: What's the ideal fan?
Pritchard: I want our fans to enjoy the music, maybe buy some merchandise, and have a good time. I would prefer if they didn't care about my personal life. I am giving them a large part of me with every song I perform and that should be enough - keep the focus on the music. The band has the obligation to play the best possible show every time we are on stage, and I think we do that. It's all about the music.     

Interview by: Gregory Lake

HGMN: So how did it go? Looking at the tour dates there was quite a spectrum from Las Vegas to Ski Jam. Any highlights?
HBRSB: This tour had us visit a few new spots such as San Diego, Las Vegas, and Steamboat Springs Colorado. It's always a highlight for me to simply meet new people in different parts of the country to add to this incredible network of people becoming part of our community and us of theirs. Ski Jam which was in Steamboat was a definite highlight and the other performers were Keller Williams and Michael Franti with Spearhead. It was an amazing week of music and our set was well attended by great fans from Texas and other states of the south. Another tour highlight was playing at Cervantes in Denver with the South Austin Jug Band and many of the phenomenal pickers who live in Boulder and the greater Denver area who came down for the show. The backstage there was insane!!

HGMN: Now for a little history of how you go to this point. Where does the name come from? How did you meet?
HBRSB: The name came from a memorable holiday party just before 1998 became 1999. I recall an evening of outrageously fun jamming, and this horrible, luke-warm-with-congealed-butter-floating-on-top beverage. The drink was dreadful, but the name stuck -- it always reminded us of the exuberant night of music. (We have since perfected the recipe).

HGMN: February 5, you are playing the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old Time Festival. What is this event and how did you come to be a part of it?
HBRSB: The SF BOT fest happens every year around this time, and brings some light to the winter months. Venues all over the city suddenly have all this great string band music, and life doesn't seem so cold and gray for a while, you know? Who needs Paxil when there's clawhammer banjo? It's mostly concerts, like ours at the Great American Music Hall, but there's also workshops, square dances, etc. I love it. This will be our fourth year performing at it, I believe.

HGMN: Also in February there is a multi-state tour with Honkytonk Homelice (with Bill Nershi from String Cheese Incident). Eager fans want to know how this came about. What is the relation to Bill Nershi? Are there any songs that you are working on together?
HBRSB: We first met Honkytonk Homeslice at a private event outside of Chico and it was "love at first note". Jillian Nershi, Billy's wife, has a beautiful voice and they perform as a duo. We've opened up for String Cheese Incident and met Billy at that time so there is a little bit of history. We plan to play together every night on the tour and are really thinking spontaneity more than anything else. I think he's eager to show off those great bluegrass chops of his and we're ready to rage it with him!!

HGMN: What is the best part about using biodesel? Do you use alternative fuel cars when you are not on tour?
HBRSB: The experience of pumping old grease out of a restaurant dumpster can be a downright frightening experience. But in that moment when the veggie tank is just warm enough... the driver calls out "Switching Over!!"... the sheer exhilaration hits you -- you are cruising down the highway for free... you are not supporting the war, not supporting Chevron, Exxon, or Shell, not contributing to the atmospheric carbon buildup... the wind blows in your hair, the smell of chow mein wafts through the air... in that moment, it all makes sense -- it was all worthwhile. Back home (we are ashamed to admit) that we all drive old clunkers that run on fossil fuel. We do try to carpool, ride bikes, and take public transportation when possible (when upright basses aren't involved). I hope to get an old diesel car to run on veggie oil when I have more time, but the truth is, we don't really spend much time at home these days.

HGMN: Who gets on the bus when you go on the road? Pets? What is the most fun thing to do to keep occupied during long drives?
HBRSB: We have a seven person road crew right now - five musicians, one sound engineer, one road manager. No pets, that we know of. Might be some stowaways in the food cubby now and then . . . iPods are key for long drives. And we pick, too, work on new songs, fiddle tunes, whatever. It's times like those when I love being in an acoustic band. We can play just about anywhere, and do.

HGMN: Tell me more about the Bluegrass Education Program, the "Origins of Bluegrass".Whose idea was this? Is there a teacher in the band? What has the reaction been?
HBRSB: Our bluegrass education program serves a few different purposes. We have all been music teachers, camp counselors, and educators at various times in our lives, so we love playing music with children. There is a profound need for music and art education in the public school system. Generally bands play in the evening; the education program allows us to work during the day too. We see ourselves as a part of the continuum of traditional music in America. In order to teach the bluegrass tradition, we first have to delve deep into learning and studying the tradition. Being more in touch with bluegrass roots helps to ground and guide our own music creation. The program has received great reactions from kindergartners, college students, and grandparents alike.

HGMN: You have a song that references classic literature, i.e. Moby Dick. Do you draw inspiration for songs from books?
HBRSB: Really, anything's a good excuse to right a song. John Hartford said songs are like rooms you sit in for a few minutes at a time, rooms you can visit again and again. Every tune has its own four walls so when you shut your eyes you can be completely there, apart from everything else in the world. I think as a band of songwriters we're trying to make every live set or record a house that holds together. So some rooms have big oak bookshelves full of dusty pages to turn, some have warm soup on the stove to fill up your belly, and of course you gotta have a deep dark basement to peek into, and maybe a great gorgeous view from that top room where the sun just pours in all day. You need all those things in a house.

HGMN: What has the reaction been to some of your songs that have a deeper political message? I am talking about John Walker Lindh, Less Guns More Butter. What message are you trying to convey to people who listen to your music?
HBRSB: Overall the reaction is favorable as most of our audience tends to share political tendencies with us. There is the occasional dissenting fan who will let us know of their views and that's fine. That's what it's all about, having conviction in who you are and what you believe and having the ability to articulate your positions. We choose to do that through song and will continue to do so throughout our career. We feel an urgency to speak our minds during this volatile time in history and hope our message is seen as one of hope and optimism as well as political and environmental responsibility.

HGMN: How does the mom in Jack Mormon Mom feel about being immortalized for going to see the Grateful Dead?
HBRSB: Oh, she just smiles every time we play that one. It's gotta be one of the sweetest tunes in our quiver. There's so much in there, about family and being young, and about getting older, too. It's funny about that tune - sometimes it sounds to me like a song of a much older guy, but I think Nat was able to capture that spirit of being young and rebellious because he's young now himself, and because he's tight with his folks and wants to understand, as well as any twenty-something can, what his parents went through before he came on the scene. Nat and I both have jack Mormon moms, actually. When my mom heard Nat's tune, though, she told me straight -don't you go getting any ideas. . .

HGMN: What is your relationship to the online community - Yahoo, In These Parts? Do you read the online discussions, participate? Do comments affect you?
HBRSB: We're so excited at the recent growth of our online community in both numbers and loyalty. People are using the forum to voice both opinion and to organize for both shows and common causes. We hope to see this part of our scene continue to flourish. We want to incorporate the talents of our devoted fans so that the discussions reflect the ideas and desires of those people. We check in from time to time and are constantly amazed at what people are saying and doing to bring our music to national awareness. Thanks you guys!!!!

HGMN: What are some goals for this year, musically, personally?
HBRSB: Zac Matthews responded: Musically, we hope to see Hot Buttered Rum stretching in two somewhat diametrically opposed directions: First we would like to develop more language and ability to play authentically in traditional styles like bluegrass, irish, and swing jazz. Then, weI would like to turn that knowledge upside down and pioneer some entirely new directions fusing and expanding upon these traditions. We hope this year will bring many new songs to our repertoire accordingly: for each original song, we will add a traditional bluegrass or swing tune. And of course every once in a while we'll go ahead and butter-up some totally unexpected, ridiculous cover tune.Personally I hope to experiment with a wide-range of facial hair styles this year.

HGMN: What music do you listen to? What is the last song that was stuck in your head?
HBRSB: Aaron Redner responded: I've been listening to a lot of Django Rheinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Bruce Molsky, who is a national treasure if you ask me, has also been on my stereo. Bela Fleck's great album, DRIVE, has been stuck inmy head as well and served as a source of inspiration for me. Mike Marshall has a new project called, "Choro Famoso" which brings music from Brazil to life, I hope people check it out!

HGMN: How do you feel about the state of music in California? From an educational, performing, fan perspective? It seems with all you do, i.e. performing, education, residency, you must get quite a few perspectives.
HBRSB: Nat Keefe responded: The Bay Area is a fun place to be for music. This is where a lot of the loose nuts from the rest of the country come to rest, and I'm happy to take my residence with them. As far as jamband music goes there's several bands I'm excited about (New Monsoon, ALO, Tea Leaf Green etc) who are based here. I'm happy when our times at home overlap and I actually get to hang out with those boys. San Francisco has a long tradition of great rock n roll. I think the scene took a dip, but it's on the rise. The three bands above are all going to get very big and carry the SF torch into the 21st century There's also a rich diversity of cultures here, and that is reflected in the music scene. Last night I saw Mike Marshall and Choro Famoso at the Freight and Salvage. It's amazing how many people in the Bay Area play Brazilian music well. And Mike had a lot of them on stage! When meeting musicians here it's not uncommon to meet someone who has studied Balinese Gamelon, Arabic call-to-worship music, Indian sarod, or Ghanaian xylophone. The more obscure, the more hip. Oakland is also the home to great hip-hop and electronica. I'm very excited that Heavyweight Dub Champion moved here from Boulder. They combine reggae and hip-hop in a way that is going to be very big. Check them out. The bluegrass scene is getting better. The efforts of the SF Bluegrass and Old Time Fest are much appreciated. There are several bluegrass masters who live in the Bay Area: Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, Darol Anger. There's a handful of good young bands. It's not as good a pickin' scene as Boulder, but we're doing the best we can!

HGMN: What beer do you like? What is the alcohol percentage?
HBRSB: We all love to sample the local brew wherever we go. If it's not that, it's probably a Sierra Nevada Pale. And yeah, we steer clear of the old 3.2.     

Perpetual Groove:
Brock Butler (guitarist, lead vocals)
Adam Perry (bass)
Matt McDonald (keys)
Albert Suttle (percussion)

Interviewed by  - Courtney Enos

HGMN- What's it like going on tour together and then coming home to the same house?
Brock- It adds to the project. When we're tired and everything ,we come home and everyone can have their own space when they want it. We don't have to drive across town for rehearsal. I'll just usually say "Hey I've got a new idea for a tune, so lets work on it."

HGMN-Do you guys have any chores or do just make Huffer (the light guy) do them all?
Brock- (Laughs) Yeah right.
Adam- Matt does a lot of cleaning because he gets up early.
Matt- What do I do?
Adam- Cleaning.

HGMN- Overall were you pleased with the 5.1 tour? Did anything go drastically wrong? What worked better than planned?
Albert- Very pleased and I don't think anything went wrong.
Adam- It was just a lot of work.
Brock- 20/20 hindsight, we probably could have executed it with a little bit less equipment and it probably would have been more efficient. But uh, it was really efficient anyways. But we just had a little extra. Better to have too much and not enough, I guess. But we weren't saying that when we were loading the truck every night. (Laughs) We don't ever use this thing!  And we have to take it out every time!

HGMN- On the road, who has the most annoying bad habit?
Matt- What?!?
Albert- (Laughs)
Matt- I don't know man. Albert lays silent but nasty, nasty farts.
(Everyone laughs)
Adam-Oh, I would say...
Brock- Snoring Adam I would say for us.
Adam- Huffer snores way too loud and that's a little rough. Everyone snores. Even I snore.
Matt- Save it.
Brock- But that doesn't bother him.
Matt- I snore the least.

HGMN: What do you guys do in your spare time?
Brock-What is spare time?
Adam-Every time I search for the headiest grilled cheese possible. (Everyone laughs)
Matt-He means that.
Adam-We all watch TV and play music. I guess.
Albert-Video games.
Matt-I used to be able video games before Adam took the X-box to his room, Brock's X-box.
Adam-Well it's there to be taken anytime you guys want it.
(Adam goes to stand up)
Matt-Sit back down... The bands all getting in a fight now because of all these questions.

HGMN: Sorry.
Matt-I'm just kidding.

HGMN -The name Perpetual Groove pretty much defines itself. Were there any other options you guys were thinking of when naming the band?
Brock- There were a couple of prototype names.
Albert-(Laugh)
Brock- Elephant House.
Matt-(whispers) Tom Dick and Harry
Brock-Um, What was the other one Adam?
Adam-Slip Disc
Brock-Slip Disc (Laughs)

HGMN -What are some of your most current musical influences?
Adam-Flaming Lips, Wilco
Matt-Radiohead
Adam-Secret Machines
Matt-That's Slave Machines.
Adam-Yeah.

HGMN- What's the craziest thing you've done on stage? Or the craziest thing a fan had done?
Brock-This one girl handcuffed herself to Adam.
Matt-Yeah! (Everyone laughs) and that was funny. It was some birthday girl
Adam-No it's wasn't a birthday girl, it was a wedding girl.
Matt-Oh yeah, it was a bachlorette party.

HGMN- Do you guys have a most embarrassing moment on stage?
Matt-I fell on stage
Albert-(Laughs)
Adam-I thought I uh, wet my pants one time but I didn't.
(Everyone laughs)
Matt-I was afraid I pooped once. It happened right at the beginning of a song and I had to wait until the end to go check myself. Ah, embarrassing moments on stage.

HGMN- Have you had any literary influences in the writing of your songs?
Adam:Douglas Adams
Brock:Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
Matt:Shakespeare.
Brock:The Dao
Albert:Chuck Palahniuk

HGMN- So Albert, I've heard that you're a minister. Is that true?
Albert-(laughs) Well it was never officially confirmed but I did mail my application in.
Brock-Internet ordered.
Matt-Yeah, internet ordered. Universal Life Church.

HGMN- If you could go back and change something from the last album, what would it be?
Adam-Nothing
Matt-I would probably make the record scratch at the end of...
Albert-...The Universe
Matt-The Universe, yeah. I would probably make it like 10 seconds shorter. 10 seconds, not much! Only 10 seconds.

HGMN- If you could add another band member, what instrument would they play?
Brock-the skin flute
(Everyone laughs)
Adam-Someone who's skilled in all string instruments.
Brock-One of the blue men from the blue man group on the PVC pipe
Adam-I would say the cello or violin player.
Matt-I would add a multi-instrumentalist.
Adam-Yeah, someone that can do a bunch of stuff.

HGMN- What is your favorite P.Groove song to play live?
Adam-I like playing Mr. Transistor, that's my favorite song live, personally.
Matt-Suburban Speedball.
Brock-It would change every time for me.
Albert-It would for me too.
Brock-Playing live, I'm partial to 3 weeks. I like that song. It means a lot to me. (sniffle sniffle)
(Everyone laughs)

HGMN- If you could share the stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
Brock- The Beatles, when Lennon was alive. Uh, Jim, Jim Morrison.
Adam-Jaco Pastorius. Well I wouldn't really share the stage with him. I'm a bass player myself.
Matt:(giggle) You're a bass player, I'm a bass player. Why don't you play bass for me... on my album.
Albert-Mine would probably be a little more obscure. I would like to be on stage with a symphony and Aaron Copeland.
Matt-Probably Herbie.     

Interview by: Austin Sheldon

HGMN:  I read on an internet news site that you had plans to film a concert DVD at two of your shows in Pennsylvania, but it wasn't on your official news page. Was there any truth in what I read, and if not, do you ever plan on releasing a DVD?
KELLER: Yes, I am currently working on a dvd project, it was recorded during a two night run at Mr. Smalls in Millvale ( Pittsburgh ) PA.

HGMN: Has anything crazy happened while on the road during this past fall tour?
KELLER: Yes, I had a little baby and my vagina is killing me. Fortunately I wasn't on the road or on tour but it was the fall.

HGMN: What is the craziest thing that a fan has ever done either on stage or to try and get your attention?
KELLER: It was in either Chicago or Charleston SC but a kid got on stage and did the doggie butt scoot across the stage. Twice. There is video footage.

HGMN: What are some of your most recent musical influences?
KELLER: Steve Kimock, Martin Sexton, Ani Difranco, Charlie Hunter, Bobbie McFerrin, Fela Kuti, Bela Fleck

HGMN: At a show in this fall tour I noticed that you played quite a bit of finger-style guitar, which I'd never really seen you do before. Why the change in style?
KELLER: I have been playing more fingerstyle guitar simply because I couldn't find a pick around my house and Charlie Hunter once said that he doesn't like any guitarist that uses a pick, and I want him to like me.

HGMN: I saw your appearance on the program "My Coolest Years" on VH1. Was it a lot of fun doing the interview and reminiscing about the "good ol' days"?
KELLER: It was okay. I kept wondering if this was the right thing to be doing at the time and I was supposed to be a soundcheck in Chicago, so I wouldn't call it fun but interesting.

HGMN: Have there been any literary influences in the way that you write your songs?
KELLER: I am most influenced by the writer Rand McNally and I live by his book The Road Atlas.

HGMN: What is your favorite movie?
KELLER: 5th Element

HGMN: Do you ever enjoy just sitting around listening to your own albums, and if so, which album is your favorite?
KELLER: Normally I find things wrong with my CDs when I listen to them but I love to listen to Dance and Breathe and Laugh the most.

HGMN: Do you think that you might be touring with the String Cheese Incident again any time soon?
KELLER: If they ask, I'm there

HGMN: What is your most embarrassing moment?
KELLER:. I don't get embarrassed but if I did I wouldn't tell you because I would be embarrassed.

HGMN: What is your favorite cover song to play at a show to get the crowd's energy up?
KELLER: Currently it is "What I Got" by Sublime

HGMN: Are you excited about going on Jam Cruise 3? What was your favorite part of your first Jam Cruise?
KELLER: I was excited before I got on. My favorite part of the first Jamcruise was listening to the Disco Biscuits under a big balmy moon cruising through the ocean.

HGMN: How is it going with Earl having the "Beggin' Dog Barkery" as his official dog biscuit sponsor?
KELLER: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttttttttttt, they send him free dog biscuits that go great with peanut butter at parties.

HGMN: You played a whole lot of new material over the course of your fall tour. Are you working on a new album? How long do you think you'll keep us waiting for another great album?
KELLER: Yes I am working on a new album, its going to be of a very collaborative nature and therefore the logistics are tedious but I am excited to have this DVD project come out this year and maybe we will see a new studio record next year.

Get more insight at: KellerWilliams.net