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Part One
Part Two
BB:
Which of your own record is closest to your heart?
JG: Towards the Sun is the closest to my heart because it’s more
of a survival story then the rest of them. But the first record, the
self-titled album, is closest to my fans’ hearts. That record for me was
innocent, and it’s really vulnerable. And that’s most likely what the
audience likes about it, that it’s so human, and there are wavers and
cracks in my voice that makes it a really close and intimate listen. But
for me, I find it almost too naked, and maybe embarrassing to some
point. It’s pure and it’s cool, but Towards the Sun is strong, and for
me it’s more important to have strength in what you’re delivering. And
it’s only about 45 minutes long. I like that it’s so concise, and that
each song is its own little pop song.
BB: Do you prefer playing at a studio or
playing out?
JG: I like aspects of both, but I like the way I sound in the
studio better than at the clubs. A lot of time you come to a gig and
it’s not set up to really make you sound the best. In the studio you get
an idea in your head and you open up your mouth and you put it through
the mic and there it is it is, actualized. I’m inspired by that. You
hear it like you dream it.
 BB:
What makes a good show?
JG:
There is this intoxicating bliss that goes on. It’s a moment that the
group and the audience share, where nobody was repressed, no one’s
holding anything back. You get on stage and inspire people through your
honesty. I go up on the stage and completely disarm myself; there I am,
going for it. I’m not James Brown, I’m not a band leader, but if I do
the work maybe I can help that guy in the front row who’s hoping someone
helps him get his hands out of his pockets, and get into the music. Wake
something up in him.
BB: You do a lot of covers on stage, it
makes for a really fun show. What made you decide to do so many?
JG: Like I said, I am a singer first, and I love just singing. So
if there is a song I like, I don’t mind doing it. The best one, the one
I get most drive out of doing is “A Change is Gonna Come,” which is an
old Sam Cooke song.
BB: What do you think of the fans of Boston?
JG: The fans in Boston are really really great and they have been
super good to me ever since I played Earth Day down at the Hatch Shell.
It’s just been great. Boston is always good to me, and I don’t even know
why. I’m just thankful for it.
BB: You’ve played with some big people over
the years. Who were you most excited to meat?
JG: Well shit, I’ve played with a lot of people. I’ve done shows
with Tori Amos. But I was most excited to meet David Bowie. It was kind
of weird and cool, to be on the same record with him. The fact that we
were able to cross paths on a project and talk about it, not so much as
“an artist and a fan,” but as two guys on a record, that was real cool.
Bruce Springsteen was nice too. I did a benefit with him in Jersey. You
know, sometimes you don’t think you going to react a certain way, but
when a guy walked me up and introduced me to Bruce Springsteen, I was
standing there, like, “Dude, what the fuck, you’re The Boss, man, holy
shit.” I didn’t realize how awesome that was going to be. I really
respect what he has carved out with his audience.
BB: If you could play onstage with anyone
alive who would it be?
JG: I would like to actually sit down and be in the studio with
Prince, and this is just because of the Musicology years, this record
and tour now as a mature man. He's playing music from another place, and
the strength and the directness of his stage performance now is just
something. You know, I’d like to just hang out and have him help me get
it.
BB: What do you hope people get out of your
music?
JG: That’s hard. I don’t know. Ultimately it gives me pleasure
that people allow me to come sing for them. I get to do that for a
living, so I’m happy if it’s making them happy. I go up there and do
whatever I want for two hours, the club pays me, and people pay me with
their applause. I see the glee in their eyes. That’s the whole point: to
give them what they want. You give them what they want and suck it up
and rock the hell out of the thing.
BB: What advice would you have for starting
musicians?
JG: Advice? (Laughs.) Don’t listen to me, man. Just follow your
heart, and have the courage to follow it.
Jeffrey Gaines plays The Attic on Saturday
November 5th.
Visit
http://www.unionst.com/
for details.
Part One
Part Two
To learn more about Jeffrey Gaines,
please visit his website at
http://www.jeffreygaines.com
*Pictures courtesy of
http://www.jeffreygaines.com/
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