MBG: Damien Jurado

One of the simple joys of the ReleBlog, the Music Blog Guest post, gives us the chance to take heed of some of our favorite artists’ thoughts. Dear reader, please take a moment to get to know Damien Jurado. He’s an old-school singer-songwriter from Seattle with a storyteller’s wit.

Not straying far from his previous work, “Caught in the Trees” is acoustic folk-rock at its finest. The album will be released on Secretly Canadian on September 9th, something to look forward to when the heat starts to ease off and the trees begin to show some new colors. But before the album of Autumn ’08 drops, here’s a little bit of Damien’s personal tastes and ideas:

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Dylan: It’s great to have you in the ReleBlog Damien. So let’s get things going… What’s your favorite album these days?

Damien: I have two of them at the moment.

 

Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving

In Utero – Nirvana

They’re pretty much the only albums I listen to. Both are riveting and moving in their own way. The pacific northwest’s finest. 

 

Dylan: Being true to your school. Good choices. How about the best show you’ve seen recently?

Damien: The last great show I saw was this band called “Strong Killings”. I think they’re one of the greatest rock bands from Seattle right now. They put so much of themselves into their set.. just this crazy intensity that I haven’t seen in any band since Fugazi or Black flag. http://www.myspace.com/strongkillings

Dylan: I’ll definitely check them out. What’s your best memory from your last tour?

Damien: I would say meeting Spiderman in Union Square (nyc).

He apparently has two sons and all the police men know who is.

He also has an arch villain who hangs out in Times Square who looks just like he does.

But, according to the “real” Spiderman I met, “that other clown, he don’t know. he ain’t doin it for the kids ya know?”

Dylan: How about a philosophical/theological thought you’d like to share with the ReleBlog

Damien: I’m a musician, I know nothing about theology, and if any one (musician)  claims to, he or she is most likely full of s**t.

 

Dylan: I’d say that falls under the “philosophical” category though. So what are you reading?

Damien: I’m reading “Heavier Than Heaven” by Charles Cross. I don’t know how much of it is true. “Nirvana” by Everett True is also a great book. I’m sure most of what he says is fact since he knew that band.

Dylan: You truly are a man of Seattle. What are you wearing right now?

Damien: I’m wearing the only pair of jeans i own and a flannel shirt.

Dylan: I am sincerely glad that you do, but on a personal level, why are you making music?

Damien: Because i want to be famous. That, and it’s all I’m good at doing.

Dylan: I’m sure that at least half of that statement is untrue. But that’s okay. Well sir, what else would you like our dear readers to know?

Damien: Washington State is the greatest place on earth. Please come visit.

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Damien Jurado will be on tour next month. Somehow I’ve missed his live show my whole life, so this is exciting for me. I even missed him back in the days when he would play Cornerstone.  I will be at his Chicago show, and I will make sure the Releblog hears about it afterward. But, he might be coming to your city too: 

 

08/17/08 Crickhowell, South Wales – Green Man Festival
08/18/08 Manchester, UK – Trinity Chapel
08/19/08 London, UK – Bush Hall   w/ Bowerbirds
09/07/08 Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
09/09/08 Los Angeles, CA – Spaceland
09/10/08 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
09/12/08 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
09/13/08 Seattle, WA – Triple Door
09/25/08 Chicago, IL – Schubas
09/29/08 Cambridge, MA – T.T. The Bear’s Place
09/30/08 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
10/01/08 Brooklyn, NY – Union Hall
10/02/08 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
10/03/08 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Chapel
10/04/08 Columbus, OH – Milo Arts

You look like you could use a rest 

You look like you’d be better dead