By Jeb
Wright
Now and then an interesting CD comes
across my desk by an artist that I am not aware of. Such was
the case with Jason Yates. Because the publicist is a friend of
mine, and to be honest, for no other reason, I decided to give
the CD a spin. Anyone in the music industry that reviews CDs
will tell you that too often we get too many CDs and too often
everyone is telling us that one CD is the best thing to happen
since the wah-wah pedal was invented. Not to sound like a jaded
rock critic, but there often is not time to listen to everything
that everyone wants listened too. And, so far, the promises of
greatness have been few and far between.
Jason’s CD collected a bit of dust but
eventually, thanks to his publicist doing her job, it found its
way into my CD player. This is one time where I am very
thankful for being nudged to pick it up, put it in and turn up
the volume. Granted, I am a hard rock fan, first and foremost,
and this not hard rock. The guy plays a B3 not a Les Paul.
That said, what I found in Jason Yates was a real musician.
What I heard were real songs. Yates has spent a career as a
sideman and is now taking the chance needed to step into the
limelight and see if the timing is right for the world to
embrace his music. Read on to discover a new artist with a
unique sound.
Jeb: The new
CD drips of class. This appears to be a collection of well
thought out songs. Am I correct in that assumption?
Jason: As soon
as I had "Angeleno" done, I was hired to tour the world with
Harper. Before that I was on the road with Macy. I'd had
acquired years playing and recording everyone else's songs and I
think I was ready again, to say something myself. I think the
music reflects the maturity level and performance level I lived
in professionally.
Jeb: Marc
Ford of Black Crowes fame is on "Paper Tents." Did you know
Marc well before this album? Explain how he came to be part of
the album and what he brought to the table.
Jason: I first
really got to know Marc when he was hired on to tour with
Harper. We were fast friends, brothers on the road. Harper told
Marc he hired me and him to "grit up the Innocents criminals." I
think we did just that... Our first album with Harper was There
Will Be A Light. We have a song Marc and I wrote together in my
apartment in Echo Park: "Where Could I Go?" I’m very proud of
the work we put in. Every night we pushed things... Marc and I
wrote "Sing For You" in his hotel room in Brussels, I
think...you know the spot with the statue of the boy peeing?
Having him in the studio doing my record was essential, even if
it was one song. He was the last tracking I did, and we started
mixing the album as soon as he finished laying down that spooky
solo on “Paper Tents.”
Jeb: "I
Run" is soooooo sad man. Is there a story or inspiration behind
that song?
Jason: Just
taking a hard look at life man! And my behaviors. And calling
myself on it. It’s sad, granted. But for me, uplifting in the
sense of recognizing and trying to deal with what I do and have
done. Feels good to let those demons air out.
Jeb: You
have been a perpetual band member for a long time. Why dip into
the world of solo artist now?
Jason: I love
music. And I love playing with people. I'm very lucky to be able
to play with such a variety of artists. I feel like its all
culminating into my education.
I make my
recordings purely out of inspiration. And only when that force
says "it’s time." Otherwise, the moment gets lost and it would
never get done. I am most "happy" when I feel like I’m applying
all my experiences and using them to forge new ground. Making
this record did that to me.
Jeb: How is
Jason Yates the solo artist different than being the keyboard
guy in Ben Harper's band?
Jason: Well, in
Ben’s band I could sit back and play the keys and he could sing
his ass off. In my thing, I've had to take a stand
vocally/lyrically. It's a big step forward and challenges my
comfort zones.
Jeb: I am
going out on a limb here but buried deep in a lot of these
textures appears to be a love of Roger Waters songwriting
style...Are you a closet Pink Floyd fan?
Jason: Yes. No
closet necessary. I’m out! After my older brother Michael
died, I moved into his room and have been listening to his Floyd
collection since. His friends played "Wish You Were Here" for
me; I think it was my therapy. I love the landscapes they made.
Their music leaves you room to think about your own life. I
love it. Songs then take on whatever is meaningful to you. Who
can do/does that anymore?
Jeb: You
are well known for the B3. This album has the B3 but there is a
lot of just piano. Was this intentional? To move away from
what you are most famous for and go with a stripped down sound?
Jason: No,
just did what the song called for. I wanted these recordings to
be minimal, no frills.... get to what’s important. "Less is
more" school.
Jeb:
Describe the process of making this album in terms of
emotions...it must have run all over the map...
Jason: Looking
back, it was a huge release for me. I was scared. Once I
accepted that this was what I had to do, I went about the
process like a carpenter would build a house. I had to wear a
lot of hats....act as
producer/songwriter/player/vocalist....host. It was very
important that the spirit of the record be positive and that the
process was enjoyable to everyone. I wanted it to be a good
time.
Jeb:
Getting this music on the conventional radio will be next to
impossible. What is the plan to get the music to the masses?
Jason: Thanks
for reminding me.... I am a firm believer in word of mouth. If
is good then it'll be spread. I'm giving as many away as people
will take in hopes that they will listen one day. And maybe
just maybe if it has some magic to offer then it'll get passed
around to others.
Jeb: Talk
about your musical influences as well as your lyrical
influences. How did each surface in the making of this CD?
Jason: I
really tried not to over think anything. A song is a force that
might visit me. If I’m open, then a song might be born.
Afterwards, I put it away. I dug out a pile of these songs and
started playing them again. Then started putting them together
like pieces of a puzzle, taking a step back and seeing what they
made as one piece, what they said as a whole. I wanted the
songs to "cross pollinate" musically. These songs are very
close to me and I hope reflect that.
Jeb: This
music really makes me picture a small stage, a bar with a ton of
smoke it in, lots of people sitting down and just listening to
your perform.
Jason: I hope
too see you there; first round’s on me!
Jeb: What
does the future hold? What are the hopes? What are the dreams?
What are the immediate plans?
Jason: I
really live day to day. I’m in the moment. The future I’m hoping
is a lot more exciting than what I could ever fathom up....I
only hope to continue my growth as a musician and a person.
Jeb: Last
one: Guitar players break strings. Drummers break drumheads.
What is your worst live experience with the keys?
Jason: When
something technical goes awry....what a nightmare!
