Fredheads Rejoice!

April 5, 2015

Eaglesmith Comes to Boyne

One of nine kids from an Ontario farming family, Fred Eaglesmith started his music career by hopping a freight train to the Canadian west, where he began performing.

His songs – which are full of strange characters, twists and trick endings – have been used in TV series from "Grimm" to "True Blood" and have been covered by Miranda Lambert, Cowboy Junkies, Todd Snider, Dar Williams and Teddy Morgan, among others.

"I especially like [Australian country singer] Kasey Chambers’ versions of my songs," Eaglesmith said. "Toby Keith’s versions are good, too."

ROAD WARRIOR

This alt-country singer-songwriter, whose fans are known as Fredheads, is an eclectic character – his music aside. He peppers his live shows with detailed, hilarious monologues between songs, giving insight to both his songwriting and his vagabond life. His upcoming show at Boyne’s Freshwater Gallery is sure to be more of the same.

"This man is a killer songwriter and wonderful storyteller," said Freshwater’s Robin Lee Berry. "Every time I pick up an album where an artist has done a tune that I really like, the author has been Fred, so it will be great to see and hear him live."

Having just returned from a 71-day, 10,000- mile tour around the U.S., you’d think Eaglesmith would be ready for a break–nope. He’s already prepping to tour again this summer, first as a solo act for a month, then with his band called The Flying Squirrels or the Flathead Noodlers, depending on Eaglesmith’s mood.

"I’m a touring musician," he said simply. "This is what I do."

SIXTIES SOUNDS

Well, touring isn’t the only thing. Eaglesmith is also prolific in the studio and has just released his 20th album, "Tambourine," a set full of "˜60s sounds that he said was intentionally inspired by that era.

"I was thinking about how the mid-’60s really was the pinnacle of rock n’ roll," he explained.

"So, I went back to see what made that sound so successful. And I think it was the juxtaposition of how playful it was, yet how serious it was."

"You’d have songs by Bob Dylan and then someone like Question Mark and the Mysterians or The Monkees. People were making a lot of political statements, sure, but there was also just a lot of pure fun music going on."

WORKING WRITER

Eaglesmith’s favorite song from "Tambourine" is "Nobody Gets Everything," in part because the song didn’t come easily to him.

"It’s kind of like a jingle," he said. "I was thinking about how The Beatles said that their songs were basically jingles. But, it was actually really difficult to write that song. It’s short and has few words, but I really felt like I got it to go where I wanted."

On the rest of the set, the wobbly guitars and verses of "Tell the Engineer" sound like a lost Jean Knight track; "Train Wreck" recalls the shuffle of early, uncooked Motown; and "Can’t Dance" offers a surf shop bassline underneath Eaglesmith’s trademark vocal. It’s a cohesive collection, yet only a fraction of the volume of songs Eaglesmith writes on a regular basis.

DOG DAYS

"I’m always writing and working. I never quit," he said. "I write at five, six in the morning. I write a whole bunch of songs and then when it’s time to put an album together, I get up and sing and play them in the living room."

Eventually, he said, one song "calls his name" and that lays the thematic foundation for his next album. It’s not a method fueled by record company demands or hit record charts.

"It’s like going to a shelter and looking for a dog," Eaglesmith explained. "Then you get another dog, and another. Then there’s a pack of dogs.

Then we make an album. I’m not making albums for some business model, you know? This is a much more true way to put an album together. I just try to let those dogs take me home."

Fred Eaglesmith will be in concert at the Freshwater Gallery in downtown Boyne City’s SOBO district on Wednesday, April 8 at 8pm. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. For more information visit freshwaterartgallery.com.