To see Jason Boland perform is to get the idea that he
enjoys the solitude of life on the road just as much as the spotlights of the
stage. To get a chance to meet and talk
to him you get the impression there is much more to the man than you might
think behind that toothy smile. Upon
spending any particular length of time with him, you know there is a very
worldly outlook that only years of hard living mixed with ‘time of reflection’
can create. It has been these trials and
outtakes that have produced six excellent studio albums and two live recordings
over a very successful 15 year career.
We had a chance to sit down to talk with Jason recently and it was
fascinating to hear his thoughts on topics such as where music stands today, where
those clever thoughts that fill up his songs come from, and much, much more.
Seeing Jason perform an acoustic show at The Blue Moose
Lodge, (located in Houston, TX on Washington Ave.) was like seeing a man who is a master of his craft…yet always
striving for more. He is the consummate
professional who is always trying to improve upon his talents—not only for his
fans, but for himself as well. When LoneStar
Outlaw (LSO) asked when he knew this was his calling (given his booming
baritone voice) he replied, “I still
don’t. Everything I’ve done I think to
myself, “Man, I gotta do better the next time”. I’m
glad people listen but I don’t hear it.”
Which begs the question: Is wanting
to improve something that keeps you motivated?
“I think so. I always think “I don’t wanna go out like
that”. “
Jason is one of
the lucky ones. And by that...we don’t mean
the endorsements, the notoriety, or fame.
He has found a craft that suites him to a ‘T’. To which he says, “We got lucky. If everyone was
able to do what they love, the world would be a much better place.”
His latest album is Rancho Alto—a critically praised
record which seems to find Mr. Boland in a mellower state of being. Jason says, “I think it’s much more of a country album. Definitely more rootsy and rural than some of
our other stuff. Some of our material
tends to delve into rock & roll a lot.
We’re another part of that fusion of ‘rock and country’ but we tried to
put a lot of country into this album and it came out pretty hardcore. It’s an album I’m proud of.”
To be a fan of Jason’s music is to appreciate his clever
way with words. Songs such as “Shot Full
of Holes”, “Telephone Romeo”, and
“Falling with Style” are just a tiny glimpse into back catalogue chockfull
of his witty, often autobiographical,
lyrics. “I have always seen words as having a lot of grey area in them. In the English language…there is a lot of
grey area to play around with; puns and funny ways to say things and words with
different meanings. I’ve always found
that using this grey area is entertaining to do and I think it came from the
songwriters I look up to on both the national level and a personal leve. I don’t remember who actually said it but
“songwriters find extraordinary ways to say things that are pretty simple and
find simple ways to say things that are extraordinary.” Most of the times those work. If you look at a guy like Guy Clark, he takes
a view of a common everyday observation and twists it around in a way you’ve
never seen it, or shows an angle you’ve never seen it from. I’ve just always enjoyed writers I thought
were clever in that manner—guys like Cash, Steve Earl, and Robert Earl Keen. If you have a different way of looking at it
and if you stick to your way, it’s gonna be original.”
Speaking of "having a way with words", LSO was pleasantly surprised
to see one of JB's songs (“Telephone Romeo”) show up on a Kid Rock album. How did that come about? “He
heard it on Satellite Jukebox with a mutual friend. He liked it and then one thing led to
another. He and his song writing partner
changed it a little to make it work for them and called it “Purple Sky”. I was really flattered.”
As with many artists, we found ourselves wondering if Jason Boland had a particular "favorite" song he'd written? "They were all my favorites at some point but I think "False Accuser's Lament" is about as good as I write a song. I like "Between 11 and 2" as well."
Hearing that, we instantly had to ask him: what was the
last song you heard and thought to yourself, “I wish I had written that?” “Usually
it’s a Todd Snider tune. Snider blows me
away. He’s the complete package of folk,
rock, country, thoughtfulness, compassion.
He’s a great human and I hope he thinks the same about himself. But I guess the last song was “The Hobo
Song” off Jack Bonus’ album, Old and
in the Way.”
Jason Boland and the Stragglers have seen more blacktop
and greener pastures throughout this country than most of us can fathom. Their current exploits take them over
international waters into Playa Del Carmen, Mexico and then back up north to
Sitka, Alaska for the “North to Alaska” trip (with fellow musicians Bleu
Edmondson, Stoney Larue, Brandon Jenkins, and the Braun brothers that make up
Reckless Kelley, and Micky and the Motorcars).
But it is in the small dance halls and honky tonks that he learned to
hone his craft and (in our own opinion) seems to find more comfort. We asked if the dance halls will survive
given all the hard times hit upon by everyone.
“They’re having to ride out the
bad times just like everyone. It’s such
an abundant music scene; people have choices to go watch live music all the
time. Which is great, but they can go
see whoever, whenever and people are much choosier about how they spend their
money. The places that win out are the
ones that have synergy such as Gruene Hall.
I think it’s really hit or miss but they keep fighting the good fight.”
How has the landscape of music changed, both locally and
nationwide? “The bad has gotten worse. Bands
that used to ride the fence line with some decent Rock & Roll tunes, you
think “Oh, they got me on that one”. Now
it’s all a bunch of house music auto tuned to death and it’s God awful. We watched this scene get bigger and it’s
gone through its life cycles. This thing
became its own entity with its own anthems and the social risers and the
rotation through. I hope that this scene
will really fight to hang on to its roots.
And by roots I mean its spirit, its originality. It already encompasses Rock & Roll,
Western Swing, Folk, Honky Tonk; it has everything in it. It’s had stuff that sounded like Nashville
Country, but good Nashville Country. I
just wished they talked about something different in their songs. I’ve seen Texas Country/Red Dirt music start
to struggle with some of its originality but that goes back to money. If the listeners get kidnapped by a pop
anthem, who’s gonna fill up the dance halls?
Get out to Schroeder Hall and support the former bull riders who are singers
now. We’ve seen the growing pains, just
like any other system, scene, or whatever.
It’s gonna be fine.”
Lastly, the one thing on the road JB has to have would
be…. “Coffee, definitely coffee.”
Jason Boland and the Stragglers have been a musical force
since 1998 and to quote Jason, “We’re
amazed and flabbergasted and pretty good at making it up as we go.” They have proven time and again that there is
a place for everyone in a scene and that genres are meant to be deviated or
skewed at times. You can do these when
you have the musical chops to back it up.
Through all the albums, tours, and life lessons, Jason has remained a ‘down
to earth’ and humble individual who makes you remember why you fell in love
with music in the first place. He is
molded from the same cloth of musical icons of the past and we hope he
continues to follow that path and make the music that keeps us all dancin’ and
singin’ along…and most importantly, keeps him being honest with his own
thoughts, creations, and art. We’ve
loved his stuff from the beginning…and can’t wait to see what’s yet to come for
Jason Boland and the Stragglers.
To learn more about Jason Boland and to find out where you can see him in a city near you, visit :
www.thestragglers.com
To see the rest of the images from JB's acoustic show at Blue Moose Lodge, visit us on Facebook and become a fan today by hitting "LIKE" on:
Sample
Setlist from JB Acoustic Show
@ Blue
Moose Lodge ~ Houston, TX:
False
Accuser's Lament
Tennessee Whiskey
Drinking Song
Mary
Big Shot Rich Man
Fences
Telephone Romeo
Paradise (Written by: John Prine)
When I'm Stoned
Angels Flying too Close to the Ground
Mary's Ellen's Greenhouse
Comal County blues
Shot Full of Holes
Somewhere in the Middle
Falling with Style
---
Somewhere Down in Texas
Pearl Snaps
Tulsa Time
Have you ever
had a friend that you felt to be as genuine as the Earth? As relatable as a lifelong companion? As true as the day is long? Meet Stoney LaRue for a few minutes and
you’ll feel the same way. Stoney and I
are not friends but he has a way of making you feel at ease and comfortable in
a matter of seconds. He is a gracious, humble,
gregarious guy who was kind enough to give us some of his time…and it is
crystal clear to see why he makes fans by the hundreds, appeals to all
audiences around the country, and continues to see his star rise.
