Andy Creeggan Interview
Former Barenaked Ladies member Andy Creeggan was kind enough enough to take a little time out
recently to answer some questions for ...barelynaked. You can check out what he had to say below.
For all things Andy and Brothers Creeggan, you should stop by at his website if you haven't already too.
Are you psyched about the upcoming Ships and Dip V cruise?
Yep! Trying to plan a new approach...
How have you found it performing on stage with BNL again after all these years?
A thrill really. Funny how the songs and parts are stored away in the old brain even after all these years.
What's your happiest BNL memory?
Gosh, there are many. I'll alway cherish the studio moments, when ideas were flowing. There were certain special shows. I enjoyed the live radio shows...basically whenever I could really hear well! There were also special moments...busking in Central Park and holding a huge crowd and police shutting us down...playing great shows in various cities - Toronto, Glasgow (wow, the singing!), Glastonbury, Detroit, Edmonton, Buffalo (power out show), Seattle (solo expressive dancer down the aisles during ballad - trying to keep a straight face), Montreal (Andy we love you), the Brazilians...I'm forgetting many...
It's well documented that you and Jim played music from an early age and were encouraged by your family. I was wondering if your older brother John plays music at all?
No, not really...
Is there a new Brothers Creeggan album in the pipeline?
Yep, well either Brothers Creeggan 5th or Andiwork 3rd...not sure, depends how Jim is involved and whether he writes a tune for it.
Your most recent Brothers Creeggan album 'Sleepyhead' is more introspective and melancholy than the previous three records (and all the better for it). Was that a deliberate departure in songwriting on your part, or did it just happen naturally?
Deliberate? Well, we recorded the tunes that were on the table so I guess that, yes, it was a natural occurence. I had lived a pretty intense experience with my mother-in-law dying so I was into more introspective music at the time. I was also studying contemporary music in school, so was opening up to a variety of styles. I was writing mainly on guitar and my guitar skills lend themselves to slower music if you catch my drift...
You went from being a duo to a trio on your third album 'Trunks' when Ian McLauchlan became a permanent member of the band. How did that come about?
We'd been touring quite a bit with Ian and it was very natural that he be there for the recording...haven't seen Ian in a while...
Are you planning to make Andiwork III?
Yes. My most recent little project is music inspired by sports. I've been producing little 'techno' tunes and having a ball. I may finish enough of those slices for an album before the 'real' project gets finished...
Did the original Andiwork project come about as part of your academic studies or was it a precursor to it?
Andiwork I - precursor
Andiwork II - result of some homework and some therapy from studies
Andiwork III - get that throat goin', me in my studio...
Composing or performing - which do you prefer best and why?
I always have a good time performing but don't gravitate to it...takes a hell of a lot of energy, time away, and ambition. Composing happens always, can't help it, love it, when I'm driving the kids to daycare, when I'm living...a good day in the studio makes me a happy Andy...
Where and when did your love affair with the dulcimer begin?
Ken Kelodner (?) of Helicon, Winnipeg Folk Fest 1992? I heard it and had to have one. He set me up with one from Dusty Strings in Seattle. I have some lovely hammers from a maker outside of London. It suits me, percussionist, lefty, lots of sonic possibilities, lovely resonnance... easy to make sound good.
What artists or albums are you listening to at the moment that you would recommend we should check out?
- Ariane Moffat from Montréal :
A voice like Rickie Lee Jones, really good pop... - Coeur de Pirate (most recent aquisition) :
Nice young songwriter, pleasant and musical... - Mike Evin - Good Watermelon :
A gutsy live in studio album, lovely spirit... - Joe Pisapia
- Stephane Morin :
I just produced his new album...very proud, lots of me in there, I recorded it too!
