Way Cool Music - Musician Interviews

Gus Black

When life handed Gus Black a broken heart, he did what most musicians do. He began writing songs for his latest CD, Autumn Days. The collection is full of tunes about losing love, moving on, and finding happiness in the little things. After several years of crafting hooky pop-ish tunes, this new intimate offering is quite a departure from the Black we’ve known, whose music has appeared on small screen hits including Alias, One Tree Hill, and Smallville. While in Austin, Texas for South By Southwest, Black took a few minutes to talk with us about his new CD, touring the U.S., and his opportunity to jam with David Hasselhoff.

Way Cool:

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got involved in the music industry.

Gus Black:

I just always wanted to be a singer it seems like, as far as I can remember anyway. And then I did a lot of things to avoid being a singer. I played guitars in bands. I just didn’t feel comfortable being a singer. And then I was in bands in high school and finally just figured I’d give it a shot. It was fun; it was scary, but it was fun. Then I started writing and that was fun, too. It’s just sort of been… it sounds corny, but I’ve wanted to be a singer my whole life and at certain points in my life, I’ve done everything to NOT be a singer or musician. But, it feels like it’s always been a part of what I wanted to do.

WC:

For the new CD, you sat at the producer’s helm. Tell us a little bit about that experience and how you decided to take on that responsibility.

GB:

It was the natural evolution. On every record I’ve done, I’ve sort of been more involved in the process. On (my previous CD) Uncivilized Love, I actually recorded and produced a couple of songs, but didn’t really take the credit because Wally (Gagel) did so much. So, on this one, I just wanted to do it and I had the equipment. It was crazy. On the first day we were recording drums for the record, I went to Radio Shack to get a headphone extension cord for my drummer. I walked into the store and a guy walked in behind me who looked like Warren Zevon. He said, “Hey, this is a stick-up. Everyone on the ground!” I thought, “Oh no! This sucks! This is not going to go well.”

WC:

Did he just rob the store or the people in the store, too?

GB:

He just robbed the store. He tried to rob the people too, but he wasn’t a very good robber. Now I can look back on it and say that, but at the time, he scared the fucking shit out of me! It was 2:00 in the afternoon… the perfect time for a robbery. He tried to get us all in the back room so he could do the robbery and there was this old, really frail man behind the door holding it shut. He was like, “I’m not going to let you guys in. I’m innocent.” At that time, there were maybe 10 people in the store and we all screamed, “So are we!” Then the robber left. I paid for the cord and went home and started recording.

WC:

Did you get a song out of that?

GB:

No, but we were recording “Weekend Soldier,” so maybe.

WC:

Autumn Days is a very personal, intimate record. Where did the inspiration for most of the songs come from?

GB:

What I was going through at the time. I had been through a bit of stuff during the Uncivilized Love record and then following that. So I took a bit from what I was going through. I really wanted to try to get through it and deal with the emotions. That was not easy.

WC:

How long did it take for you to record the new CD?

GB:

I recorded it over a year period, but I would work on the CD and then take a break and listen to what was recorded. It was recorded just the guitar and vocal live on 90% of the songs. So, I’d get the performance down and let the songs speak to me.

WC:

How many tracks did you record for the CD?

GB:

About 20. There are a bunch of b-sides.

GB:

And what will you do with those?

GB:

Sell them on the Internet. Or maybe make an EP from them. I want to make a new record really soon.

WC:

Out of the 20 songs, how did you decide which ones would make it on the CD?

GB:

They were the only ones I could listen to. Like most artists, I’m pretty critical and those were the only ones I could listen to. But, they’re good. I worked really hard on the record to just make it honest and true. I leaned on my band a bit, but without having an outside producer, it was tough, but I want to do it again. It was a ton of work. And it was hard because I have tendency to over-edit. That’s my hardest thing, to not over-edit.

WC:

You’ve been performing these songs live for a while now. The CD came out in Europe in 2005. So, how does it feel to be performing these really intimate songs in front of an audience? Has the audience been receptive or responded differently than in the past?

GB:

I think it’s a little different, but I don’t really know. I know that going to Germany and playing in Holland was really fun. But I don’t really know how it’s going to go in Europe.

WC:

In looking at your tour schedule, it sppears that you’ve been playing a lot in Europe. It seems to be that you’ve been more successful in Europe than in the U.S. Why do you think that is?

GB:

I really don’t know. I don’t know the secrets of the U.S. music biz. My intention wasn’t even to release Autumn Days in the U.S. There was this guy in Germany who put out my last record who said that he really wanted to put out another record. All I had to do was deliver it to him. It was cool because I had this big fucking arrow in my chest and I wanted to pull it out and walk through it and here was this opportunity (to make a new record). I knew it was going to be heard by at least the people in Europe who bought Uncivilized Love. That was all I needed. I’ve put out three records in the U.S. and it really made me question what I was doing before. Ultimately, I was able to express the art and then these great guys from an American label (Cheap Lullaby) showed up. They’re super cool and took the record as it was. There was none of the rigamarole. Now I’m happy that it’s out in the U.S.

WC:

So they came to you and convinced you to put it out?

GB:

It didn’t really take much convincing because they were nice guys and they liked the record and I wasn’t up for the whole dance of the record industry. That’s terrible because that’s what I’m in and I should be more assertive. But I put so much effort into that stuff on my previous three records and when I listen to those, I hear me doing things for them. When I listen to Autumn Days, I don’t hear that.

WC:

Now that the CD is released in the U.S., will you tour behind it here?

GB:

That’s what we’re hoping. I’d love to go out on the road. I just hope that it all happens and works out. I’d be willing to travel and play.

WC:

Would you do that solo acoustic or with a full band?

GB:

I think what I want to do is create my own environment and really have an intimate setting. If it can get quiet, there’s nothing more… I love seeing a band and it’s great to see a rock band, but my favorite way to perform these songs is in an intimate setting and creating that energy. I’d like to do that solo. I think what I’m working on next will still be intimate, but a bit more playful, so I’d like to do the solo stuff now to stay true to this CD.

WC:

Well, the CD release show at Largo will be a great way to set that environment.

GB:

Yeah, it’s like a big homecoming for me. It’s funny because I didn’t even want to play in the U.S.!

WC:

You can always be like David Hasselhoff. He’s huge in Germany.

GB:

The first time I got on a plane to go to Germany, who was on the fucking plane? David Hasselhoff. I had my guitar and he walked by me with his manager and said quietly, “Hey, how’s it going?” He got in a little huddle with his manager, who came over and said, “Hey, if you want to bring that guitar up to first class, we’ll have a little jam session.”

WC:

Did you go up?

GB:

Hell no! No way! I took my Ambien and passed out. I just thought it was too surreal. There was no way I was going to play with David Hasselhoff.

WC:

That could have been your big break.

GB:

(Laughing) It could have been, and that’s just the break I was looking for! I like the story better that I didn’t jam with him. I’ve jammed with people before and had it not go so well.

WC:

Just for a little history, tell us about the Gus/Guster name issue.

GB:

I personally sued the Guster guys for using my name! No, I have no idea what happened. We had the name thing. When I signed my record contract as Gus, I was told there was another band using that name but we were going to work it out. I got the name Gus and never heard another thing about it. And then I met them. We were both on the very first pilot that Josh Schwartz (The O.C.) did for Warner Brothers. The Guster guys and myself were both on, and the TV people were so nervous. They were trying to keep us separated. It was crazy. So, I saw them on the set and I just went up and talked to them. That’s when I really found out about the name thing. Guster is a better name for a band anyway.

WC:

Here we are at SXSW. Who are you excited to see? What have you seen that’s great?

GB:

I missed everything I wanted to see, but maybe I’ll see them today. The Guillemots and Jose Gonzales. Jim Bianco at the Hotel Café showcase last night was great. Jim and Joe Purdy are always great. But, The Guillemots… I saw them in Amsterdam and they were great. Maybe Josh Ritter today.

WC:

Now, we'd like to play a game we call "7 Questions."

1.	What's the worst job you've ever had?
	Kentucky Fried Chicken.

2.	What's your favorite movie or lyric quote?
	It’s from a Willy Nelson song - “I may not be normal, but nobody is.”

3.	Who would you want to star in the movie of your life?
	(Laughing) Me.

4.	What's your favorite TV theme song?
	The Flavor of Love is my favorite TV show. It’s moronic and so degrading to women and I’m so embarrassed to admit it. I’m so glad it’s over! I tuned in on one Sunday thinking it was the finale, but it was the recap. When they had the final thing… there is a friend of who is not known for his demonstrative behavior, who is a pretty big cult indie rock star guy, and we both jumped off the couch when (Flavor Flav) chose Hoopz.

5.	If you were a superhero, what would your name be?
	Waterman. That’s a terrible answer, but, water, you gotta have it!

6.	What do you want to do/be when you grow up?
	Myself.

7.	Finally, why are there so many songs about rainbows?
	Cause they’re pretty. And there’s a fucking pot of gold at the end of it and every songwriter is chasing that one song either for the spiritual or creative pot of gold. That represents a lot subconsciously.

To find out more information about Gus Black, visit his website at www.gusmusic.com.