Tony Furtado - July 2010

Tony Furtado is in Portland (when not on the road) and working on his 15th album.  Here’s a little of what’s going on with Tony right now……

1.  So you are working on your 15th album - how's it going- and what's different about recording this CD? Its going great! Im so psyched to be recording it in Portland. This marks the first time Ive ever recorded an album in my home town! Its great to be able to drive to the studio, record, drive home and sleep in my own bed. Also, Im so happy to be able to tap the great talent of Portland to play and sing on this album. This album will definitely have some of that "Portalnd sound"...hmmm, whatever that is...? Great to be able to get some of my friends involved on this too.
 
2.Do you have a title for this album yet? No
 
3. Red or white wine? Red...Pinot or Zin
 
4. You are also doing some sculpting - how did you get into that?
I started sculpting back when I was starting to play banjo, at 12 years old. I was even a fine arts major for the 2 years I was in college. But when it came time to decide between the 2, I quit school to hit the road. Music was just more sexy and fun. And you don’t get applause when you show someone a sculpture. But a few years ago I started to get the itch again. I got some sacks of clay, a studio and eventually a kiln. I’ve been having a blast in there. It’s such a release from the pressures of the music biz. Pretty soon I’ll be starting to sell stuff, but for now its just an absolute blast!
 
5. Is there any instrument you don't know how to play that you wish you could?
Piano. I’ve always thought that would be a good thing to really know how to play. We have one at the house, and I’ve written a song on it, but when I sit and pound the keys, I really don’t know what the Hell I’m doing.
 
6. You tour a lot - where's the best breakfast in America?

Lately I’ve been just popping into Whole Foods or health food co-ops to get a salad and a boiled egg or something boringly healthy like that. But, I would have to say one of my favorites has always been Lucille's in Boulder CO. 2 eggs over medium, pan fried trout with a little hollandaise and a couple beinets, a nice cup of joe with chicory to top it off!

Dave Coleman - JULY 2010

1. What was the first song you ever wrote and what was it about?  How old were you?
The first song I wrote was one called "Black 59." It was a song about a drive I wanted to make down through Mississippi. I wrote it when I was 18. I was driving a 87 toyota truck at the time, but I figured a 59 buick was a lot cooler car to make that fictional drive with.

2.  What is the cheesiest guilty pleasure album you own and listen to?
The cheesiest guilty pleasure album we travel with is Diamond David Lee Roth's Eat'em and Smile. We also dig old Alabama (grew up with it I guess).

3.  What's the best thing about touring?
The best thing about touring is seeing folks again and again, but in different places. The encouragement we get from different friends we meet along the road is why we are able to keep doing this after 11 years. Another great thing is Hitch, Dave and I are great friends. The music, writing, recording, and all the miles in the van and planes have made us close friends. I call it a family.

4. We hear you have new songs - do you think you're writing style has changed since you started The Coal Men?  If so, how?
We have some new songs for the next record. It's always a new experience writing. I think it gets harder in some ways. Once you write a song about a subject or from a perspective it might be covered.  I want to explore new territory or write these new songs better. I'm fairly traditional and a fan of roots music so you have to make each song unique within the loose boundaries of roots music. I still love sitting down with a guitar and a note book, or drive alone with a handheld recorder. I read a whole lot and I'm always looking for a new subject and angle.

5.  Best thing you can cook - and the recipe......
I don't cook a whole lot but I do enjoy making shishkabobs on the grill. It's fun to cut'em all up and throw them on the grill with white rice as a side. 2 peppers (yellow and red), mushrooms, pineapple, onions, and cheap steak. Choppem up into inch cubes skewer them and pile them on the grill.  Serve them up with mexican juritto soda. Pretty fun and you get your veggies.