This week Pencil Storm pal Jason Narducy (Split Single, Verböten, Verbow, Bob Mould band, Superchunk) is heading out on a solo tour of the Midwest and northeast United States. If you aren’t familiar with Split Single (Jason’s solo moniker), it’s high-energy powerpop rock of the finest order, chock-full of hooks and energy and lyrics that’ll keep you humming into the next month. We asked Jason Five Questions and threw in some videos for reference. Support Jason on tour (ticket links here) and enjoy the interview!

1) We’re coming up on two years since the release of Amplificado. I picked that up at your Kalamazoo show, when we met, and it’s been in regular rotation since. It’s been a couple busy years for you, touring solo in support of that (and with the plethora of other bands who you play with). How’s the material from that record holding up for you after this time, and what are your thoughts after the dust has settled a bit?

I’m very happy with Amplificado. I think it’s the best collection of songs on a Split Single album. I’ve been fortunate to play with many amazing musicians and Mike Mills is firmly on that list. He and Jon Wurster had an undeniable connection which helped propel the energy of the record. They both are so great at picking their moments in creative ways while respecting the song and the story. We had a lot of fun making it, too. Mike and I went to an Evanston bar called Prairie Moon every night after the recording sessions. He’s a blast.

“Satellite” was the first song I wrote for Amplificado - we were playing it at shows in 2017. It has connected with a lot of listeners and I believe the fun video helped with that. “Bitten by the Sound” is the one that surprised me the most. I get asked about that one often. Jon has a fill in that one - right before the outro - that kills me every time I hear it. “Adrift” was special because it was the first time Alison Chesley and I had recorded together in 21 years.

2) You’ve been a member of Bob Mould’s touring and recording band for 18 years. You’re the touring bassist for Superchunk. You’ve also been a touring member of Robert Pollard’s band and Sunny Day Real Estate, and recorded albums with Mike Mills, Britt Daniel, and John Stirratt, to name just a few. Dave Grohl name-drops you in his book as a key influence in his early days with your band Verboten. Your dance card has been full for a long time. It has to be a bit surreal. Can you talk a little bit about what it’s been like going from being a midwestern kid listening to REM and Hüsker Dü records in his bedroom to working with these guys? What would 14-year-old Jason think if he saw you on stage today singing the backups to “Makes No Sense at All” or showing the bassist from REM the chords to one of your songs?

I also toured with [Pollard’s] band, Boston Spaceships, which included two of the Eyelids guys - John and Chris. To your point, though, yes I’ve been so fortunate. I never take any of that stuff for granted.

3) You’re embarking on a solo tour in a few days [this will run closer to the start of the tour]. What can people expect at these shows? Some are house shows? What are those like? And some feature a string section?

I’ve been doing these solo tours since 2017 and I really enjoy the independence and mobility. I tell stories about being a musician or about being a dad and play songs from the Split Single records. Maybe a cover song here or there if it ties into a story. Half of the shows will be with a 3-piece string section. My friend, Melissa Bach, wrote string parts for 14 songs and she put together a great group of Chicago violinists, Katie Klocke and Dominic Johnson. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to take them on the road but J Robbins (Jawbox) recommended a cellist on the east coast who assembled a trio for 4 shows. Then there’s another group of string players who will play the Boston show. Lots of moving parts! But it’s exciting. I enjoy presenting these songs in a new way.

Most of the shows are living room shows. I really like playing these because they are early (8pm) and intimate. Toronto and Cleveland are proper small club shows and Boston is at a furniture store (!).

4) This website is based in Columbus, but I’m near Detroit, so a stock question: Any particular memories of Detroit? Playing here, passing through, adventures, meals, family vacations… Anything!

I have a lot of memories from Columbus and Detroit! St Andrew’s Hall is special because I saw Bob Mould play there in ‘92 or ‘93 with Vic Chestnut. He knew me as a big fan and was kind to let me come backstage after the show. By ‘97, my band Verbow were playing there. I played there again with Robert Pollard in 2006. There’s a YouTube video of Pollard ranting about Detroit bands from that show. It’s like ten minutes long but pretty funny. I recently played there with Bob Mould in 21 on the Blue Hearts tour. Some members of The Armed were there that night. They are one of Bob’s favorite modern bands. Split Single played at a different Detroit venue with Kelley Deal’s band R.Ring in 17. I was psyched to later find out that Greg from Protomartyr was there.

5) The obligatory – what’s next? Can we expect more Split Single music? More touring with Bob/Superchunk/SDRE/anyone else? What do the next couple years look like for you?

There’s talk of more Bob Mould Band and Superchunk shows this year. I’ll be doing more solo touring. Sunny Day asked about some shows but I had schedule conflicts, unfortunately. I wrote a musical with Brett Neveu that premiered on stage in Chicago in January 2020. It did very well and we are now working with a production company to do a film adaptation. It’s about my first band, Verböten. Brett wrote the script and I wrote the music. It’s been a very rewarding project and I’m eager for it to continue to develop and hopefully make it to the screen.

Jeremy Porter is a Co-Editor in Chief at Pencil Storm. He lives near Detroit and fronts the rock and roll band Jeremy Porter And The Tucos. Follow them on Facebook to read his road blog about their adventures on the dive-bar circuit.
www.thetucos.com
www.facebook.com/jeremyportermusic
www.rockandrollrestrooms.com
Twitter: @jeremyportermi | Instagram: @onetogive & @jeremyportermusic

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