I used to work at the Record Bar in Florence when it was a small, family-owned chain from North Carolina. It was before they were sold to Blockbuster and went downhill, and they’re long gone now. My boss introduced me to bands like the Clash and the Replacements. Meanwhile, my friend Jay Leavitt, who now owns a fantastic record store in Richmond, opened my ears to the Stones and Springsteen. Another friend I met through my boss introduced me to Big Star.
As a teenager, I was at his house one night listening to Kinks records I’d never encountered before—I only knew the hit “Lola.” He played me all these amazing Kinks tracks, then said, “Wait until you hear this!” and played “O My Soul.” I was completely captivated.
I first encountered Radio City, and I spent years searching for those albums since they were out of print. Eventually, I came across Third. Initially disappointed it didn’t sound like Radio City, I eventually revisited it and recognized it as a true masterpiece. I’m an ardent fan!
On The Big To-Do
Now, let’s discuss The Big To-Do. What do you think keeps an album cohesive, especially since you’ve moved away from extensive single-narrative two-disc concept albums like Southern Rock Opera?
It really boils down to my intuition regarding the flow and the connection of themes. This time around, we actually created two different records. While The Big To-Do and its counterpart share thematic ground, musically they are quite distinct.
A New Album in Progress?
Yes, there’s essentially another record completed. I have two new songs in mind to record when we have the opportunity. If anyone else writes something before then, that’s great, and I’m open to changes that could shape the final record, though I’m quite pleased with what we have so far.
Highlighting “Santa Fe” and “Fourth Night of My Drinking”
The two songs from The Big To-Do that I can’t stop listening to right now are “Santa Fe” and “Fourth Night of My Drinking.” “Santa Fe” is straightforward—I wrote it in a parking lot in Santa Fe.
