John Doe
On the verge of making a new record is always a bit like the top of a clattering roller coaster. Outside the creative arena, that's not something I subject myself to voluntarily but, your thoughts alternate between "What in the fuck was I thinking when I got in this car" & "YEEHAAAW!" . This record was the first time we set things in motion before all the songs were written. We actually had a recording and release date w/ two songs short of a sixpack. Pretty fuckin' scary.
As luck would have it, my benefactor, colleague & compadre, Dave Way was between projects & twelve days were available just before Xmas ,hmm "the 12 days of . . .", nevermind. Recording in winter always hits you right in the guts 'cause it usually rains & makes you want to close down & pull inside. W/ no clear direction, two songs short, three drummers who bailed at the last minute and having the last record called "best solo record to date"; the pressure & stakes seemed uncomfortably high, fuck-it.
Dave & I knew that we'd call guest-stars/friends and the best players we had worked w/ in the past. Dave Carpenter & Jamie Muhoberac were first and Bryan Head just after. The core was there and all guests said "yes". In order of appearance, Dave Alvin, Kathleen Edwards, Jill Sobule, Aimee Mann, Greg Leisz and Dan Auerbach. By the middle of January the whole damn thing was mixed. Christ! It all happened too fast. A scary & wondrous process, where a blast of intuition and force that takes only moments to realize can last forever & carry consequences you never imagined. Next time we vowed to get more time & money to make it last for at least a month. Sometimes it sounded like a Replacements', then a Velvet Underground record, then Blonde On Blonde . . . twelve-strings, six-strings, electrics, upright bass, big kick drums, pianos, organs, slides, floating & screaming voices. These maybe the darkest hours recounted but you have to look inside to hear that, and in there is some of what happens during a year in the wilderness.
John Doe 02/07/2007
The new record is out now: A Year In The Wilderness. (**** 4 Stars From both the LA TImes and The Independent UK). Buy it via yeproc.com. T-Shirts, too.
John plays the role of Joan Jett's boyfriend in her new music video. Take a peek.
John talks with NPR's Linda Wertheimer on Weekend Edition Saturday. Have a listen.
JD Videos on YouTube.com. Lookie look.
Exclusive Live EP on eMusic.com. Check It.
WNYC's John Schaefer, longtime host of New Sounds names A Year In The Wilderness in his "Top 10 Of 2007".