16 may 2006 -

EXCLUSIVE Interview: Todd Bogin
Chuck Norton, deadjournalist.com

How does a nice guy from Illinois go from moving to New York to landing his first gig playing acoustic guitar at a heavy metal show to playing CBGB to releasing his first album in less than a year?

Ask Todd Bogin, a 22 year old singer-songwriter whose debut album The Midwest Fables will be released in June.

While "neo-folk" is replacing "indie" as the new buzz word for new singer-songwriters, Bogin's sound leans closer to traditional folk and blues.

With a distinctive voice and knack for writing direct but personal lyrics, he's an artist you won't soon forget.

When did you realize that being a singer-songwriter was your calling?

TB: Songwriting was always in me. My father is a really talented musician and the acoustic guitar I use today is the one my father always played when I was growing up: a 1977 Guild D-50.

In 7th grade I created this fictitious band called The Arrows, named after the Harry Nilsson song "Me and My Arrow". I created a logo, album covers, band members and more. I didn't know how to play any instruments at the time but I still wrote about thirty songs in this notebook. I would jot down lyrics and hum melodies into a tape recorder.

I started writing actual songs on my guitar around the age of 16 and then formed a band. The first time I ever jammed with a band I knew that writing and performing was what I wanted to do with my life.

What artists have had the most impact on you as a musician?

TB: Well for sure The Beatles. Growing up they were the most popular band in my household. By a young age I knew a lot about them and their albums. They really inspired me with their songwriting.

I never took formal music lessons, but I feel that studying the Beatles helped me to learn about music and grow as a songwriter. I would figure out how to play their songs and study what they were doing with the music.

Another artist that is right up there with The Beatles is Bob Dylan. His songs made me want to write lyrics and read poetry. He is the reason I started playing harmonica at 17. If you listen to Highway 61 Revisited it sounds like nothing that can be done today! It's amazing to think it was recorded in 1965.

In terms of other influential artists Bo Diddley is one. Others are The Who, Hank Williams, Mississippi John Hurt and Wilco. There are so many wonderful artists I could go on forever.

In addition to musicians a lot of authors have influenced me - mostly Edgar Allen Poe and Albert Camus.

You've been in New York for almost a year. How much has the move allowed you to grow as an artist?

TB: Moving to New York forced me to become a better live performer. Being on stage here is much different than anywhere else. The crowds in NYC do not care for you until you prove to them that you are talented.

I have gone through an enormous growing period in terms of life since moving here. Experiencing life in New York has fueled many songs. It's really like no other place. I really love it. Just being in this city makes me want to be creative. It is something in the air. I have never felt that energy anywhere else.

My backing band, The Klaymations (pronounced Klymation) are just amazing at what they do. My bassist Byrne Klay and drummer Hadley Tassinari's creativity and playing ability at times makes me feel inadequate but playing with such incredible musicians forces me to improve.

How long did it take you to have your first "I can't believe I'm in New York" moment?

TB: It happened right after my mother flew home. We had packed up a rented mini van and drove my stuff out here but she left the next day. It was very weird - like being dropped off at summer camp - but not a good summer camp. There was no one wearing a name tag, greeting me and offering me Kool-Aid. Nobody was happy to see me either.

The song "Moving and Growing Old" is based on a poem I wrote in my first few days in New York. It's about that moment in life when you realize you are not a little kid anymore.

In all honesty I have an "I can't believe I'm in New York" moment just about every time I get on a subway or walk around the Village or Union Square or see a roller skating dance contest in Central Park. This whole city is still amazing to me - even after almost a year. Just amazing.

What was it like to play your first show with the Klaymations at CBGB?

TB: The first show with the band was wonderful! My little sister and best friend Adam were both visiting from home. It was really amazing because I knew of CBGB for as long as I could remember. I am really happy to have gotten the chance to play there before it closes.

It was also a realization of what I can do but I also knew I had so much more to work on. But it really was a wonderful feeling because I worked hard to form the band and to get the songs right. Like they always say, the first step is the hardest.

Actually, the first gig I played in New York City was at a club in the East Village. It was just me, my acoustic guitar and my harmonica on stage at 11pm on a Wednesday night around Thanksgiving. The problem was it was heavy metal night - which was the furthest thing from what I was playing. Needless to say a lot of people decked out in heavy metal gear really did not appreciate a kid on stage with acoustic guitar.

Looking back it is quite a funny story. But that was a big lesson in not giving up. That night let me know you have to grab New York City by the balls before it gets yours.

You're 22 years old and you are releasing your debut full-length album "The Midwest Fables" in June. How good does that feel?

TB: The album release will really be amazing. It will be a moment to appreciate where I have come from over the past few years. It will be more for my family and friends who stuck with me during hard times and during times when I was probably not easy to deal with.

The last few years have been really tough on my family. I know that this album is going to make them proud which really means so much to me.

A lot of the songs are about growing up and about isolation, which is what I felt as a kid and as a new comer to New York. I was born partially deaf and struggled with a speech impediment for a long time, so in some sense there is also some humor in me releasing a music album. I can honestly say that I am extremely proud of the music on it.

Plus my fictitious 7th grade band I had an album title called "The Fables of Thaddeus J. Snead." So I kind of had put Fables into my first album.

Another wonderful thing about releasing the album is 30 years from now when I have a belly and thinning hair I can always show my kids that for at least a few months in my life I was a little cool.

Were did you record the album? Are you pleased with the outcome?

TB: We recorded it all on analog with the amazing Tom Lucas as engineer at Laughing Boy Recording Studio. He is just brilliant.

The Klaymations and I did all backing tracks live in one 6-hour session. That goes to show the genius of The Klaymations and Tom Lucas. They know how to support my music and how to deal with the non-sense ideas I come up with. They also have put so much of their own expertise into everything and are a huge part of the sound of the album.

I am so proud of the quality of the sound! I think every song came out so well.

What has been your biggest challenge thus far in your career?

TB: The biggest challenge thus far is getting people to listen to the music, building a fan base and spreading the word. Like I said earlier, in New York you cannot just hand out a flyer and have people show up to your gig. You have to prove something to them. It's hard work but it's rewarding.

You'll be hitting the road this summer to tour in support of the album. Is there anywhere you are especially looking forward to playing?

TB: Well the easy answer would be in Illinois, hopefully in Chicago. I grew up around there. It would be wonderful to play for my old friends and have my father grade my show. He can be tough. He'll be the first to tell me what I did wrong but he'll also tell me what he liked.

Other places would be Nashville and Austin. There's something about those cities and their history with music intrigue me. I know I want to see the Appalachian States too.

Every region of this country is so different and has such a different way of living. I am really too excited to choose. Oh man, this will be fun.

With all that time in a car, have you thought about investing in those seat covers made of wooden beads?

TB: I would get wooden beads if we end up renting a VW Bus. I would deck the van out in lava lamps, mood rings and pet rocks. That would be so cool. In the sad event of not getting a VW Bus I will probably invest in one of those electronic massagers. Those are so nice.

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