JOHN SNODGRASS

JOHN SNODGRASS With Tace, you can sing along to Joey Cape of Lagwagon on the opening track “Renaissance Man,” “Don't Break Her Heart” features Stephen Egerton of Descendents, and “BoyzIIMen” has John Moreland. “The Sequel” features Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath and INTERVIEW BY JOSHUA MARANHAS Zach Blair. Stacey Dee of Bad Cop / who you are,” he says. Snodgrass cians. “It’s pretty self-explanatoworks at the club actually listens to Bad Cop is on “Bad Newlands.” His

With the release of Tace on A-F inches with four different labels, from Tace and zags to a recount of kids are all over the record, Records, Jon Snodgrass has put them up for a year, each year, his television screen. and “Don’t Break Her Heart” is a collected his best feelings and let them go down, which the song Snodgrass worked particufrom the last few years. He’s first one did,” he says. “And then, in “Hang on a second,” he says. “We larly hard on. It’s a loose plan to getting by in a pandemic with a 2020, I would put them all up in the got bases loaded. Oh, and Dave escape to Mexico, if needed. As a whole lot of help from his family. digital world forever. It was just go- Roberts seems to think something’s father, he’s protective enough of Cumulatively, this record adds ing to be kind of a special thing for going to happen.” He’s referring to his daughter to set a future suitor family to good friends, and the a year, for each release, and for the Dodgers’ manager. on fire is they treat her poorly. sum is Armchair Martian, Drag the people that bought the vinyl.” the River, and Snodgrass magic. Traveling, wandering, and sto- “That’s a song that I really worked Each track has a vibe and Sno- It’s classic Snodgrass. An avid rytelling — the addictive joy of on for a long time,” Snodgrass dgrass explains why he gathered baseball fan, he interrupts ev- Jon Snodgrass’ folk rock point of says. “I mean the melody and stuff, together such an eclectic mixture. ery thought he has to talk about view will stick to your heart. His you know, that was quick. And “I was going to make these seven that passion. While talking thoughtful persona is on record the setting someone on fire part. about Tace and music, Snodgrass and floats around your brain like But I worked on the lyrics for a is giving Rockies play-by-play. “Go a night at the Surfside 7 in Fort while. It’s kinda long, though. And Baseball…” the album’s second Collins, Colorado. Grab a beer it got longer when me and Steto last track, is authenticated by and sing along to your stereo. phen [Egerton] did it, I wrote that Snodgrass’ every fiber. He zigs He’s keen to treat everyone kind, kind of intro and outro part to it. and “Backstage” explains that It’s cool. But made a long song ethos pretty well. longer. I think I only think that be“The ‘Backstage’ song is about how short, 30-second to one-minute not everyone knows your name, jingles lately.” is an excellent seeker of symbiosis Snodgrass’ sense of humor permebetween venues, fans and musi- ates his every word. ry, but you know, when you go to “That’s outro music,” he says. “That’s a gig and there’s somebody there the sound of me flying to Mexico. and they don't really treat the staff It’s the getaway music, but it’s slow. very well? Not most people, but I’ve And I just kind of picture it hoverseen some people do it, act like ing, like a helicopter splitting. I’ll they’re famous and a big deal. I’m have to leave the country if somelike, you know, not everyone that thing happens, you know.” cause I’ve been writing all these your band. We’re all working this Snodgrass is working on details to thing, you know? We're all employ- safely play music from the album ees of this place tonight. Let’s be with friends. Follow him on social cool. No one’s any better than the media for specifics. The details inother person, you know?” clude a safe staging at a practice space in Los Angeles the second weekend in October, New England in November, and December in Tulsa, Oklahoma. �� �� ��

PHOTO BY VINCE SADONIS