DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interview: A.A. Bondy
by Chuck Norton
10.25.09
A.A. Bondy
Singer-songwriter A.A. Bondy, formerly known as Scott Bondy during his decade as the lead-singer of the Alabama-based band Verbena, recently released his second solo album, When The Devil’s Loose.
A highlight from the album is the track, “I Can See The Pines Are Dancing”, which can be downloaded here:
MP3 – A. A. Bondy – I Can See The Pines Are Dancing
Bondy is on tour with Elvis Perkins in Dearland until mid-November, and then will headline dates that run through December. For complete tour details, or more information, visit his MySpace page www.myspace.com/aabondy.
DeadJournalist.com brings you this interview with A. A. Bondy.
How does it feel to have your second solo album, When The Devil’s Loose, behind you?
AAB: I don’t feel like it’s behind me yet. That will take a while. People seem to like it, I wasn’t sure they would.
Who did you work with to record and produce the album? How did the recording experience of this album differ from your previous solo album?
AAB: A couple songs were recorded in New York with the some of the Felice Brothers,
most of it was done in Mississippi with Bruce Watson. We would just tinker until things sounded right. It was pretty fast and painless – like the dentist can be if he uses nitrous.
The first song I heard on the album is the beautiful track, “I Can See The Pines Are Dancing”. What’s the story behind this song?
AAB: It’s just some thing I made up. I thought it may be about one thing, then it turns out to be about something else. I don’t know what to say.
Was there an artist or artists that influenced you most when you were first starting out? Is there someone whose music you now find influential?
AAB: Prince. And still Prince. Some things that got to me when I was younger don’t work anymore. Prince does.
Having spent the greater part of 15 years as touring musician, what are the biggest changes in the touring process since the early days as a musician?
AAB: It’s more or less the same. There’s Starbucks now. More sprawl. More signage. Blackberries. Jeez.
What about writing and recording; any significant changes in the process due to technological advantages?
AAB: Not for me. Not until the machines can write the songs. Which they one day will.
How as the “digital revolution” changed how you market and promote your music?
When The Devil’s Loose
AAB: Well we all give our music away now for the most part. A song here a song there. like food samples. I’m not sure where it’s all gonna end up. Cassettes sounded pretty good. You had to know how to record one though.
You are getting ready to set out on an extensive US and European tour. What is the most challenging aspect? Did you attempt to main some kind of routine?
AAB: I don’t know that it’s all that hard. Traffic I guess. The routine kind of maintains itself.
What is the most bizarre thing that has occurred to you while on tour?
AAB: I don’t have access right now to all of the scenes, but here’s a taste:
Philadelphia; a pregnant teenager smokes a cigarette by a storefront while an older gentleman plays the Godfather theme on a trumpet.
Is there an artist that you’ve encountered recently that you’ve been recommending to your friends?
AAB: There is a guitar player from England named James Blackshaw.
What were you listening to in 1999?
AAB: My Bloody Valentine.
Which do you prefer: MP3, CD, Tape or Vinyl?
AAB: Mouth and Fingers
