Do you ever feel like you bit off more than you can chew? That’s how I feel right now. A while back i got the idea that SPA.net needed a podcast. So I set out to make one.

In general, I wanted it to be an informative look into the world of the Square Peg Alliance. With that in mind, each episode will have Square Peg news and will feature and interview with at least one of the SPA folks. Our first episode features an interview with Derek Webb. If you have questions and/or comments, feel free to shoot an email.

I hope it’s not too terrible

Michael Terry

 

 Standard Podcast [32:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Eric posted an interview done with him back at one of the two Huntsville Behold the Lamb of God shows last year [note: not the one I attended, so the interviewer isn't me]. The highlight for me:

You play churches, and you play regular venues, and you play coffeehouses. I want to know, do you change as a performer? How do you transition from place to place?

That’s a great question.

Because you can’t say curse words in church … unless you’re Derek [Webb].

Yeah, maybe he can get away with it.

Man, that’s a great question. I definitely don’t change necessarily what I say; I change how I say it. I don’t ever know what people think of my music. But I suspect that if they hear song and read the lyrical content, they know where I’m coming from. And my big thing as a writer is to never be obnoxious about what I’m talking about. My thing is just to tell my story and to lay it out there with no strings attached and just to let it be and for people to hear it and do what they will with it.

It’s funny because I don’t really feel comfortable in any setting. If I’m in a club, which is not often, but when I play a club, I don’t feel cool enough to be there.

But are any of us cool enough to be there? Probably not.

Yes, a lot of what we do here is link to interviews, and yes, you’ve read some of it before. So here’s the money quote from Colossians Three Sixteen’s interview of Jeremy Casella:

I wrote about my life on [Recovery]. I drew from personal loss, failure and the longing for something better than the condition I find myself in. I’ve found that most everyone can relate to that sort of subject matter so the new music is finding an audience even if it doesn’t fit nicely into pre-conceived categories and assumptions of what an artist who is a believer in the Gospel should be.

The most difficult part of being an independent artist is getting press coverage for your material. Marketing in general is just a difficult thing for me. I think it’s more about financial resources than it is about the lyrical content of the songs.

Yeeeep.

I got to sit down with Eric back in June before a show and chatted a bit. Eric’s phone rings as I am asking the first question. Its his realtor, who had questions for him about the house he was selling and also about the house he bought(right across the street literally from his old home).

1. How are things these days with the addition of Ellis to the household?

     Things are definetly better as opposed to when we talked last back in December. I got off the Andrew Peterson Christmas tour on the 15th, Ellis was born six days later. He wasn’t supposed to come until January. He was a month early so that threw us for a loop. Seemed like a bomb went off! The first two months were pretty much a blur, um, those who have kids know what I’m talking about. Lack of sleep, not travelling, and helping Danielle with all that and trying to learn how to be a parent. But its been good, he’s almost six months old now and is way more enjoyable. Laughing and giggling and interacting with his surroundings alot more, so that makes him more human than a pet rock.

   Yeah, interaction certainly helps.

     Yeah, when he first smiled, its like the world opened up all of a sudden. It was a huge break thru for me. Before it was just a few months of just poop and so your like, come on smile or something! We actually did call him our pet rock at first. Things are great. Still trying to learn how to serve Danielle, cause my role in Ellis’ life right now…I’m not really needed, but I know my day is coming when that whole father/son bonding, shifting from mother to father is going to happen. So for me, its just been trying to be the provider right now. Here lately I’ve been trying to figure out what the heck I’m doing with my life. Is this a viable career that I’ve got or the litmus test being, is this just a pipedream or do we try to make this work. I don’t know. Still trying to figure it out.

   Well there are a lot of folks who love your music, so I say keep it up!

     I’ve always liked my songs and thought they have something to say. I do spend a great deal of time and energy writing and recording. You kinda get to the point though, where you wonder if your little cottage industry is too small to work anymore. Kinda realizing that, or wonder if its gonna grow up. Alot has been just coming to terms with reality and whether I’m ok with where I am right now. And I’m ok!

2. Scarce is such a cool album! Will you keep up the same songwriting process and style?

     I don’t really have a formal songwriting process. Usually its just me sitting with my guitar and capo and coming up with some kinda melody. From that comes a vocal melody. I rarely get into a song with a theme or idea. I tend to let the songs grow out of themselves. I don’t know what that means but, I’m not coherent enough to go into a song with a pre-concieved idea. That’s just not me. With Ellis being born, the last five or six months have been the least creative for me. I think this is just the baby phase or something. I was recently talking with Andrew Peterson, just venting about this very thing, he told me this was just a baby phase and that I’ll write again, so I’m gonna put alot of faith in his words. So hopefully there will be some new stuff coming out. I’ve been chipping away at some songs I’ve started or written well before Ellis was born. I do have an idea for a new album I’d like to try. I’ve always enjoyed writing third person songs like Bus 152 and Spare Change, songs told from the perspective of someone else or something. Its just me imagining their story and me telling it. Being their voice so to speak, so I’m pouring thru some newer older songs that have never been recorded. I’ve noticed that I’ve got a bunch of those songs!

   That should be a fun album.

     So I thought of making a record of nothing but a bunch of third person songs and try to avoid the traditional folky sound. Hopefully with the right producer, they will have a bigger vision than I might have. I don’t know if thats what I’ll do, but thats what hit me. Just seemed like a neat idea.

3. I know you’ve got some tour dates coming up this fall. Do you have any other major plans for the near future?

     No, but hopefully going to buy a new house(which has already happened since the posting of this interview), slightly bigger than our place. That will afford me to kinda build an office. At least have some space to carve an office, and space to write. So as we settle in with Ellis and he gets into some kind of pattern, then writing will occur! So for me, another album is on the horizon. I don’t want to rush into it though. Scarce is right over a year old and I started writing for it over two years ago, so it kinda feels like its time to get that ball rolling. Other than that, we’re booking shows for the fall. Beyond that I have no idea.

4. Did you have fun on the Behold the Lamb of God tour?

     Man it was wonderful! I had fun every second of it and I would say yes in a heartbeat if I were asked to do it again. It was one of the greatest times of my career. I just love the group of people. They’re all wonderful and enjoyable. Its an edifying good group of people!

5. One last question. How’s the snake business?

     Oh man! Believe it or not I have not killed any snakes this year. I think I’ve scared them all away after a couple of years of being “that” person. I’ve seen a couple, but have held back from ending their lives. I actually had one pinned and ready to go, but I just let it go. Yeah, I think I’m becoming merciful!

   Part of fatherhood maybe?

     You know, actually the snake count as it stands this year is…Eric-0, Snakes-1 1/2. They got me! Yeah I gashed my hand. A stick gashed my hand while trying to get that one snake. So I figured I would give them a point and a half.

   Once again thanks for your time!

     Go SPA dot net!! Thank you!

Well, other than the fact that they miscounted the number of Pegs—remember, there are now as many Pegs as Osenga has toes—INFUZE does a good job of interviewing our man Jeremy. They delve into his friendship with Phil Keaggy, which is pretty cool. I hope that you’ll read the whole thing, even if I do steal their thunder by putting the money quote out there:

Artists tend to say for other people what they can’t say for themselves. Music is a spiritual language that we all understand. Not everybody can speak it but everyone understands it. I want my songs to be meaningful to people, so I feel a responsibility to make good art and give them something that’s at least worth the time it took to create it.

[My apologies to Jeremy for taking so long to post this. It's been one of those weeks/months.]

We linked before, and we’ll link again: Jenni Simmons interviews Jeremy Casella.

Mental note: you have a Casella interview that you have yet to publish.

Here is a quick interview I did with Jill.

Hey Jill, thanks for taking the time to do this. The last time we talked you were two weeks from Tyler’s due date. You had just finished a two hour show with Andy and looked like you were ready to get off your feet so…

1. How are things these days? Have they settled down a bit?

   I am not really sure if they have settled down, but I am not home bound like you are in the early days and that is nice! He is seven weeks old today and is the sweetest, easiest little guy. Things are still a bit crazy because my oldest just started kindergarten and I am still not sleeping through the night, so we are really taking each day at a time. Andy is also working a lot on AP’s record so he is really busy too.

2. Are you still writing new material or are all of the creative songwriting energies focused on the baby?

   I am dying to write new songs which is great. At the end of my pregnancy I was just so apathetic and all my ideas were on hold but now I feel the urge to write. Once things settle down I should be able to devote a couple of days to working on stuff for the new CD. I think I have about 4-5 songs that are done or almost done but I am anxious to get the rest done so I can record this winter.

3. The songs you write are so honest and relatable, will you continue that same path with the next project?

   I hope I am getting more and more honest as a songwriter. There is really nothing to lose and no label to please, so I really just write what I want. It is great to lose a lot of the self-imposed boundaries.

I think you and Andy should do a kids record. I know that’s had to have crossed your mind.

We had thought about it, but I don’t know if we can top Slugs and Bugs.

4. Are you gonna take it easy (tour wise) until Andy Peterson’s Christmas tour or will you tour some?

   I have actually been booking shows for this fall, but mainly on weekends. It is hard to do big tours these days with children so I mainly travel on weekends where I can be with them all week. I really love that schedule because it gives me the chance to work and stay at home, the best of both worlds.

5. Do you find it easy or difficult, lifestyle wise juggling husband, family, and career with you and Andy both being full time singer/songwriters?

   Right now it is incredibly difficult but most of the time it is just difficult! It is a challenge to juggle it all, I will be honest, but I don’t know any other way. We wanted a family and we feel called to write and travel and sing so we will always be negotiating what that looks like for us. I think it moves in seasons, some very busy and some home more. It is definitely an interesting life!

6. What are some things God is teaching you right now?

   God is teaching me that I love sleep and I want more of it. OK, so seriously, I think having a new baby and two young kids teaches me a lot about control. I like order and control and occasional peace and quiet and these days are full of sacrifice. He is teaching me to be more selfless and reminding me that nothing I sacrifice could compare to His sacrifice.

7. Is everything in the SPA kosher? I still love the camraderie between all of you!

   Oh, absolutely. A few members left because of trying to distance themselves from the CCM label, something that can really hurt you in the mainstream. We all know that the SPA artists aren’t traditional CCM artists and had little success there, but mainstream promoters who are booking a show don’t know that. They search an artist and see CCM and think, “Yikes, I am not booking them in my club!” That is the sad reality. CCM will always be linked to the SPA because of the publications who have written stories about it and some of our histories in Christian music. Even though the SPA is just a group of songwriters we didn’t want this to hinder anyone’s careers in ANY way. The purpose of the SPA was only to help and it will continue to be that. There was absolutely no animosity and everyone is in complete agreement. I think we will still do some shows together as well, it will just be a less public association.

8. What good music have you listened to lately? Anything influential or worth sharing?

   I still love the David Mead Indiana record and listen to that consistently. I haven’t loved a full record that much in a very long time. I am also listening to the new Crowded House record a lot. I adore Neil Finn and anything he does and have always loved that band.

9. Do you have any huge future plans, say the next 6-12 months?

   I want to write for and record a CD and do some traveling- nothing that huge but if I can do that it will feel like a big accomplishment.

Thanks Jill, for taking the time.

Thanks to you and all the SPA supporters, we are so thankful for you guys!

Houston-based freelance writer Jenni Simmons recently interviewed Jeremy Casella, and part one is now available on jeremycasella.com. Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite:

Jenni: When did you realize that without a doubt, you were meant to be a singer-songwriter?

Jeremy: There was a time when I wanted to pursue some other things, but I realized coming into my early 30’s that there’s really nothing more I could do as well. I’ve always loved music and it’s always felt natural to interact with the world around me using music. You want to spend your life and your time doing something that you feel is the best use of your abilities. As I’ve gotten older, music has become more and more of a passion.

Jenni: I think your calling becomes pretty clear, and something about your 30’s makes it especially clear.

Jeremy: Actually, a couple years ago I was freaking out a little bit about some of my label troubles and I met a guy in Dallas and shared my disappointments with him. He asked me how old I was and I said, ‘about 27.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry because your real work in life begins in your 30’s, and your 20’s are just a primer.’ When I turned 30 about a year ago I really found that to be true. It has given me hope that my 30’s will be productive, a new chapter. I’m glad to leave my 20’s behind - it was a very difficult time, for me anyway. Half the time you’re wondering what you’re doing with yourself. Even though I’m in my early 30’s, I feel like I’m settling into my life’s work in some way.

I’m finding that myself … as I draw close to 30, I’m I’m hitting my stride professionally [and with my hobbies, too].

The whole thing is a good read. Check it out.

Back on Saturday, we pointed you at part of the interview that Eric did for Eb+Flo before they went under. He finished up the interview postings on Tuesday with some more personal things, including how he gets into writing albums:

10. How do you decide when it’s time to record a new album?

When I have enough money saved and enough good songs written.

11. I know you are typically very humble so this might be difficult for you…but when you look at your newest project, Scarce, what would you say is most important about these songs (or a certain song in particular?)

To date, it has been, hands down, the most difficult album for me to make. I was really struggling with heaps of self-doubt about whether I should even bother making Scarce, or bother spending a sizable amount of our saved money on yet another project that might or might not ever break even. At the point I’m at career-wise, I am a lucky individual to be able to fully recoup within 2 or 3 years of an album’s release. That’s a dreadfully long time, in my book, and an awfully heavy financial commitment, especially considering that I have always struggled to move product. It’s a strain to think about getting out from underneath one album only to put myself under the fiscal burden of a new one. So, I’m one of those nerdy fiscally responsible artists, what can I say?

I would add, however, that I feel Scarce is more of an honest and direct album than what I’ve made in the past. The pop-friendlier first half of the album eases, hopefully gracefully, into a more confessional tone by album’s end. It was unintentional, but I like that the songs fit together in that way. I am thankful to God for songs like “Squeeze”, “Save Something for Grace” and “Long Road”. Those are the heavierweights on the album, in my estimation. I’m indebted to Brent Milligan (producer) who really challenged me and summoned the best possible songs out of me. He refused to let me settle for mediocre demos, many of which I had already submitted, but failed to make the final cut. Brent was integral to my being able to plug away and push forward through all the doubts and warbled headspace.

Also, Kei Akiyama interviewed EP back in December, and he’s let us reprint that here. It’ll show up after the jump. [We had to make a jump or you'd not see anything else on the front page!]

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