by Nels Jensen
Grant Jones seems to be one of those dudes that fly under the radar. For me I had heard his name more than a few times opening up, solo acoustic, for some bigger acts that were coming through town, and then I heard about his upcoming album, and then I see him play with a band (on a bill with some local punks and for being billed as an “indie” type dude, the energy and noise that came out of the set was pretty impressive), and then I hear about him playing music with this well respected dude, or with those rad musician guys, and then I see him at shows that, in no way, reflect a bill that he would probably be on, and then I hear about him being part of the Waste Division crew. Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t also an astronaut and adjunct professor of Latin somewhere. We’ll talk beards, the 90’s, and of course, Phil. Pay more attention to this dude, he’s doing something:
Pressing questions first. I’ve seen you with a beard, and more clean-shaven. What’s better for song writing?
A beard is much better for songwriting. If I get stuck on a tune, I can stroke my beard like a smart professor. Song done.
You pay solo shows, and with a band. Do you prefer one to the other? Is there a way you choose whether to enlist the dudes or just keep it to yourself?
I always try to enlist the dudes. When the venue is small I’ll cut back on the band setup. If mercury is in retrograde it will be Phil Griffin and me. If the USA curling team placed in the last Olympics it’s Parker Brown and me. If I’ve watched the Friends episode “The One With a Dozen Lasagnas” that month I’ll gig with Keller Paulson. If I have the reoccurring dream where I’m the drummer in Keller’s band, I gig with Erik Olson.
In the last year or so, who’s the worst bass player you’ve had in your band?
I actually don’t have a bass player in my band. Phil plays a giant cello instead.
If you could give yourself a title for the work you do with waste-division.org what would that title be?
G- Fizzle. Next question.
I’ve heard you’re heavily influenced by 90’s pop. Is this true? I mean, if I told you I was going to banish you to an island and you could only listen to three bands from the 90’s, who would they be, and why?
Ben Folds - I’ve always loved his songwriting. The fact that he’s a piano player is really cool too. I grew up playing piano and always wanted to be him. Now I play acoustic guitar at parties.
Semisonic - I love their album “Feeling Strangely Fine”. Something about the energy of pop rock at that time makes me happy.
Weezer- One of my all time favorite bands. “The Blue Album” made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my awkward weirdness. Now I’m not awkward anymore. At all. I grew out of it okay Nels?! Jesus. Probe much?
I’ve also heard that you have an album that’s set to come out soonish, or at least, I know that some of it’s recorded. Actually, come to think about it, didn’t you start recording this last year? What’s the hold up? Expected release date?
I am recording an album! It’s about damn time! Its sounding great and I can’t wait for you all to hear it. I’ll be releasing a Kickstarter so all you wonderful Wasteoids can preorder it! Should be finished in a month!!
All right Grant, time for a poetry writing quiz. Complete the following acrostic and include elements of Dreyfest, heartbreak and medical equipment.
Penrose Drains
Help
Idiots
Leak
Slam Poetry
Under
X Ray Beams
