Anthology: Behind the Scenes

An Interview with Steve Perry of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

by: Casey Pukl

It’s hard to find a person who doesn’t enjoy, “Zoot Suit Riot”. Seriously. Have you ever met a person that doesn’t hear that song and either sing along, dance, or both? The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies are now in their 23rd year as a group, and frontman, Steve Perry, is still as original and innovative as ever. From his dark and stirring lyrics to his unique blend of swing, ska, and rockabilly, there’s no telling what genre he’ll be venturing into next! I had the chance to chat with Steve about his upcoming show at Anthology on Sunday, as well as what inspires him, and what’s next for the Daddies!

CP: I saw on your blog that you’re currently working on a new album! Let’s dive right into that! Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Dave Revels of The Persuasions

by: Casey Pukl

50  years is one heck of a long time to imagine anyone doing any one thing. But legendary a cappella group, The Persuasions, is still at it! The group is currently celebrating their 50th Anniversary, and they’re bringing their signature soul-baring show to Anthology next week. Find out what they’ve been up to, what iconic artist’s material is next on their list, and how they choose their material in my candid chat with the groups producer/arranger, Dave Revels.

CP: When did you officially join the group?

DR: I officially joined the group in either 2008 or 2009, but I’ve actually been a part of it since 2002. In 2003, I produced and arranged the U2 album, “The Persuasions Sing U2”. And then I arranged and produced the latest album, “Knockin’ On Bob’s Door”. But I’ve also done some additional projects along the way. We’ve been working with J J Cale, and we did a few more Grateful Dead tracks. We released a couple of songs that didn’t make it onto the first album on the new release, “Might As Well.” But I guess full-time, I started performing with the group in 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Lisa Loeb

by: Casey Pukl

Is there anything Lisa Loeb can’t do? I think you’d be hard pressed to find something. Not only is this queen of the 1990′s pop charts working on a new album, but she’s also writing children’s books, recording children’s songs, designing eyewear, acting, and to top it all off, she’s pregnant again!

Prior to Lisa’s show here this week with Jill Sobule, I had the chance to catch up with her and find out what she’s been up to, and some great information about her show here on Friday!

CP: Before we get started, I just want to say congratulations! I heard that you’re pregnant again! Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Eric Bibb

by: Casey Pukl

Modern day troubadour Eric Bibb has certainly had a great 2011. His last release, a live album titled Troubadour, brought him significant exposure in the US, and also earned him a nomination from the Blues Foundation. But never one to stay still, Bibb is hard at work on his upcoming release, and fortunately he gave me the scoop, as well as a preview of one of the tracks! Take a read to see what’s next for one of blues’ finest singer/songwriters and guitarists.

CP: What have you been up to this year?

EB: I’m actually release a new CD in March that was recorded in Louisiana with some wonderful musicians. It’s called “Deeper in the Well”, and I’m really looking forward to sharing that for sure. I had a chance to work with some wonderful musicians some from Louisiana, and a few from other parts. Information about it that will be posted to my website soon, but it will be released in North America on Stony Plain Records.

Other than that, I’ve actually just returned from a trip to Bali in Bamako, where I had the chance to record some music with a lovely musician from there named Habib Koite, who is very well known in world music circles.

CP: That sounds like a very exciting time.

EB: Yes, it was eight days of an amazing experience. I’ve never been to [inaudible] before, so I felt at home in some ways.

CP: I know you tour all over the world. Do you have any particular favorite place to play? Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Storm Large

by: Casey Pukl

I’ll be the first to admit that I was more than a little nervous when I realized I was 15 minutes late for my call-in time with Storm Large. I stumbled into the conference room, set up my recorder, and as her phone was ringing, I rehearsed my apology. She answered, and I immediately began apologizing for my tardiness. Storm’s response?

“Well, you ruined my life, and when I see you, I’m going to headbutt you straight in the bridge of your nose. But other than that, I think you sound like a really nice person.”

And with that sentence, I was instantly comfortable, and Storm and I were off and running.

Storm Large is one of the most genuinely unapologetic and candid artists I’ve ever had the pleasure of interviewing. I won’t spoil it for you below, but by the time you’re done reading, I’m pretty sure you’ll too feel like she’s your newest best friend. Upon hanging up the phone, I immediately turned on my Kindle and purchased the full copy of her memoir, “Crazy Enough”. In the last two days, I’ve read the entire thing, and can only hope that there’s more coming from her in the near future. Read on to learn more about Storm’s entrance to the music world, who inspires her most, and what you can look forward to at her upcoming show!

CP: I have to say, I’m super excited for your show. I remember watching you on Rock Star Supernova, and I’ve been really stoked to find out what you’ve been up to! Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Celino Romero

by: Casey Pukl

It’s not every day that you get to interview a super jolly classical guitarist in the middle of a soccer field, but fortunately for me, yesterday was just that day! Los Romeros, also known as The Romeros, have been dubbed the “grand masters of the guitar” for good reason. Spanning generations, this legendary family of classical guitarists is still making waves world-wide. I had the chance to catch up with Celino Romero yesterday and get the scoop on what’s on the agenda for 2012 and beyond!

CP: What have you guys all been up to lately?

CR: We just finished off 2011 with The Romeros’ first Christmas recording for Deutsche Grammophon in Germany. We had a big tour in Germany, it was a great success, and it was really great to see the family. Christmas is really big, all the kids each play a song, and it’s really big for the Romero family. Finally we have a Christmas CD out there, and it was a great success, so we’re looking forward to our first concert of the year! Since that tour, we had a little break for the holidays, and now for 2012, we’ve got a whole month in Europe planned. We’re also heading to Asia, just non-stop. It’s special because we’re kicking off 2012 with Anthology as our first concert.

CP: Excellent!

CR: We couldn’t think of a better place to be than our hometown of San Diego, well at least Lito and my hometown. My father and Pepe of course consider Spain their hometown! (Laughs)

CP: (Laughs) It’s just a little further away.

CR: Exactly, but it’s going to be a really great start. We’re really happy with what we’ve done in 2011, and we’re happy to be going into 2012. The Christmas album was so special to us, and it’s a really nice thing to have in our collection. Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Albert Lee

By: Casey Pukl

Albert Lee is one of the most accomplished guitarists of our time, yet also one of the least recognized. Eric Clapton called him, “The greatest guitarist in the world.” Emmylou Harris once declared Lee, “a brilliant guitar player. His sound is unmistakable—often emulated, never equalled. When Saint Peter asks me to chronicle my time down here on earth, I’ll be able to say (with pride if that’s allowed) that for a while I played rhythm guitar in a band with Albert Lee.” 

But the guitar legend remains as humble as ever. I had the chance to speak with him about his upcoming show here at Anthology tomorrow night, as well as his grueling upcoming tour schedule for 2012. This 69 year old is still hitting the road hard, and wait until you hear what’s next!

CP: What’s in store for 2012?

AL: Well, it’s more of the same, really. I work a lot in Europe with my own band, and I also work with Bill Wyman’s band in Europe. When I get back here to California, I do what I can, but this particular stint at home has been great! I’m actually home for two months this time, which is quite unusual. I’ve got a lot of gigs and sessions and all kinds of things going on, which is exactly what I wanted. I have to stay around California more. But after about a month, I’ll be going back to Europe again, and I’ll be working all over Europe with my band. I’m doing more work now than I’ve ever done.

CP: Certainly sounds like you’re keeping busy! Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Chuck Loeb

by: Casey Pukl

Guitarist, producer, writer, and all-around smooth jazz powerhouse, Chuck Loeb, is taking a new direction. Inspired by his earliest influences in more straight-ahead jazz and bebop, Loeb’s latest solo release, Plain ‘n’ Simple, takes a trip back to the organ trios of the 60′s. I had the chance to speak with Chuck about everything from his current position in Fourplay to his formal music education, and even his most recent decision to start his own record label.

CP: What have you been up to lately?

CL: There have been quite a variety of things happening in the last two years. I’ll be coming into Anthology this time around with an organ based project from my CD called, Plain ‘n’ Simple. I did a whole bunch of touring with the same kind of band last summer in Europe. The CD came out in July and I was on tour in Europe doing the music from this project. Actually, let me back up a little bit. My other project that I’ve been involved with for the last two years is playing with Fourplay with Bob James and Nathan East, a native San Diegan by the way, and Harvey Mason. Actually, the last time I was at Anthology was with Fourplay. So in between all of that time, although I had this CD out in July, I was touring with Fourplay so much that I hadn’t really had a chance to go out in the states with the organ project. Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Halle Petro of Halle & The Jilt

by: Casey Pukl

I have to admit, I really admire people who do crazy things. I love hearing stories of people who aren’t afraid to sky dive or make a big career change. Insert Halle Petro’s story here. The Brooklyn based singer/songwriter released her debut album in February 2011, quit her cushy job on Wall Street in July, and hasn’t looked back since. She’s gearing up for her west coast tour with guitarist Michael Gomez, and already thinking about her next record! I had a chance to chat with Halle on the phone this week, and I think you’ll all enjoy her immeasurable spirit and dedication to her music.

CP: I know you’ve had a pretty crazy road to get to where you are, so I guess let’s start from the beginning!

HP: A very good place to start (laughs)! I moved to New York right after I graduated from college, and I did theater primarily— off Broadway and regional primarily. I was doing a lot of Broadway auditions, and I just did one show, and then there were some lapses between the next couple of jobs, and I was just kind of getting bored. The business end of things can kind of make you lose your love for what you’re doing.

I just wanted to start having fun singing and making music again, so I put together a band just to do cover songs on the upper west side of Manhattan. I had met with a friend of mine who was a singer/songwriter who told me that if I had an original piece, I should really just do it. So I told her that I did have one, but I didn’t know if it was any good, but eventually with her encouragement, we wound up doing the piece. It went over really well, and so I was like, ‘Well, I’ve actually got a bunch more!’ Before we knew it, the show was all original music.

And then shortly after that, I said, ‘I want to make a record.’ So I started figuring out what I had to do to make it happen. Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Richie Furay

by: Casey Pukl

It’s tough not to like Richie Furay. He’s super easy to talk to, upbeat, and has had a pretty interesting journey in music. While he found success with Buffalo Springfield and Poco early in his career, he later took a hiatus from his music to focus on his family and himself. Wondering whether or not he’d ever find his way back to music, he eventually returned with a new passion for his family, religion, and the guitar. Furay is now fresh off of a Buffalo Springfield reunion tour, and he’s gearing up for another set of dates with his latest project, The Richie Furay Band. Not only is the band fun for the great music they play, but the band also includes Furay’s daughter, Jesse, as well as his partner Scott Sellen’s son. Furay is extremely proud of his latest venture, and I hope you enjoy hearing about is as much as I did.

CP: I’ve been listening to your latest record, Alive, and I’ve got to say, it’s a super fun album.

RF: Thank you! It covers almost forty years of music! (Laughs)

CP: That’s so awesome. I can’t wait to dig into all of that, but I’d love to start off with what you’ve been up to recently. I know you just wrapped up a Buffalo Springfield reunion tour. What was that like for you? Read the rest of this entry »