Iowa native, Jason Reeves was gracious enough to sit down with Torch to discuss his latest success.
Torch: Thanks for letting us come down here to Englert Theatre and talk with you. So Jason, can tell us a little about yourself?
I don’t know what to say about myself, I think I have a spuid perception about myself so if I try to comment about anything specific I'll probably be wrong. I write and play music. Other than that I’m just a kid from Iowa.
Torch: Tell us about your latest release?
It’s a fairy tale I wrote about a relationship that ends tragically. And theres kinda a cirlcle towards the end of the record were it all comes back to the possibility about finding something else. I don’t know if its going to go on forever, but it seems like that’s what is going to happen.
So in all I was writing about what was happening, as it was happening. It turns out to be a story, since life essentially is a story.
Torch: what artist are in inspiration to you?
Everyone, but more specifically Bob Dylan, James Taylor are two of the main ones. Also Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin.
But really there is to many other good musicans that I find as an inspiration to myself.
Torch: Your known to have colaberated with some outstanding artist. Who have you found to be wonderful working with?
Ill say there all amazing, I think a couple of my favorite people to work with our Colbie Caillat, and Brendan James. Also I enjoyed working with Town Wells, Amber Rubarth, and Amie Kunie. These people are some of my favorite human bings, let alone musicians. the list goes on and on. Theres just too many, They're all really amazing people.
We kinda have this little circle out in calliforina, new york and in between. Its just crazy because we all get along to point of making music together and its kinda magical. Cause a lot of the time its not easy to work with other people. Theres just something about the chemistry about people that it dosnt work.
Torch: Can you tell us about the tour you just wraped up recently?
Yea, the Vespa experiment. Speaking about Amber Rubarth and Brendan james. They were two of my good friends that came along with me as we did 17 days up and down the coast of California. Playing shows, riding vespas, and sleeping outside. Pretty much living outdoors for two weeks. It was a life changing experince to say the least. I chouldn't even describe why. But we are also putting out the documentary about it at some point, so hopefully a little bit of the vibe will be captured. Im not sure if it will come out as near as spectaular as it actually was. But I hope.
Torch: what are some of the other interested you have besides making music?
I love photography. I wanted to do that before I even played music.
Torch: What are some of your most favorite places to perform at?
That’s hard, theres a lot of great places. Iowa city though is probably the best, For a lot of reasons. Especially since im from here, and my friends and family are here. Other than iowa city, I really enjoy playing in Portland, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Dallas, and San Fransico. I don’t know why but those seem to be the best. Theres others of course, But it will take to long to list them all. I feel like were constentaly playing a show somewere. And its almost a blur. Everythings becomes different every day. Which I find exciting in everyway.
Torch: How has your experience in California shaped your sound?
Wow, I feel it has a lot to do with the whole vibe of the music when your out there writing. Theres something about the ocean and the mountains were ever you are, and I try as much as I can to write outside if im not stuch in a studio. I just feel like the weather and the atmosphere that your sourounded by has a lot to do with just the tone of the music you make. Other than that, the people you make music with inspire your work. Theres a lot of amazing musicians out there. Almost like there climbing out of the trees. I feel you not only learn a lot from those people but pick up from there styles as well.
Torch: Are there any music projects your working on now?
We just finished recording Colbie's latest album that’s coming out soon. And I'm hoping to start recording my own soon. But with helping her with that, and touring as well, I just haven’t started yet. But i've been writing for a long time, and so far got alot of songs for it yet. I just haven’t been able to put them down.
Torch: Once again, thanks for your time Jason!
Yea no problem, I appreciate it. I hope you guys enjoy the show!
CRAIG AUCUTT
