Lanky: a New Jersey native who's proud to call Houston home. That’s music to our ears! And Houston’s proud to call Lanky theirs. In his tenure here in Houston, the singer/songwriter, guitar player has already notched several award nominations on his belt and has gathered the respect from fellow musicians and critics both inside and outside the region.
He’s gearing up for his next show tomorrow night at DECO (510 Gray St.). He’ll be performing for DECO’s “Heartbreak Happy Hour” (6:30 - 9 p.m.) While he has his share of heartbreak songs, he’s more than that.
We saw Lanky perform live last week at Rudyard’s (one of his semi-usual places to play, along with the Continental Club), and talked to him about his life as a musician:
What brought you to Houston?
My quick and simple answer is a girl. It's rather romantic and true, but there were some other factors. Houston has felt like home since my first visit. People are nice and welcoming and the women are pretty. It's a good place to fall for someone and a good place to nurse your heartbreak. I've done both.
You definitely have a knack for songwriting and catchy melodies. What's your process for writing a song?
Thanks. I guess it's really about being open to the ideas that are coming through. I'll pick up the guitar and try to tap into that inspiration, the very thing that has moved me to pick it up. I think the best songs capture a feeling or emotion – both in the sound and the words.
I'm always jotting down lyrics and rhymes and ideas for stories or clever wordplay. For the most part, song writing has be cathartic. Usually there is a problem to be solved, a dilemma in my soul. Many times I know the problem: “My girl is confusing me,” or “I'm overwhelmed by this crazy world.” I'm looking for solitude, comfort, words of wisdom; or perhaps just a way to get it off my chest and feel better.
If I'm lucky I'll get all of what I just explained in one sitting. If not, then I have to put the song on the "to do" list and approach it with some 'song craft', if you will. At that point you're more of a surgeon that an artist.
How do you feel about the singer/songwriter label that people put on you?
I've always felt it to be silly. It's a lifestyle, not a genre. That's why I named my first CD Inner Onwriter, to poke fun at it. There is, for me, an inner focus and a continuous writing process. Creative people need to create.
Who were your influences?
A long, long list. It started with my cousin letting me into his record collection as a little kid. Those were all rock records. mid-80's. Kiss, Van Halen, Queen. As I started playing guitar it was classic rock; Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend. Then I dug back into the blues – from Clapton, I found Robert Johnson, from Robert Johnson I found Son House: From Stevie Ray, I found Albert King, BB King, and Buddy Guy. I was writing songs from a guitar player’s perspective.
I didn't start singing until the mid 90's. At that point, I was listening to Elvis Costello, Francis Dunnery, Ron Sexsmith, Patty Griffin, Peter Holsapple, and Neil Finn, to name a few. Studying and absorbing. The education never really ends.
What are you listening to now?
This morning I've put on A Girl Called Eddy, Feist, Patty Griffin, Billy Harvey, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Fiona Apple, Clem Snide, Rachel Loshak, Brain Elmquist and Nick Drake. i-Tunes shuffle is where it's at!
Your last CD came out in 2005, what are your plans for this year?
I'm trying to wrap up mixes that have been floating around for most of last year. Then try a few new ways of releasing them. I'm toying with the idea of dropping a few songs at a time or one song with various mixes or performances. I think that might be interesting. And see which one becomes more popular. Though, I am partial to a collection of songs and a flow and making an artistic statement. I'm torn about pushing them out there alone. It feels weird.
Ultimately, I just want to live a less complicated and more compassionate life. I've done some silly things in hindsight and put my energy into the wrong avenues. I think you have to tap into the part of yourself that understands this insanity of life as artist. Then work with compassionate and sound people. The company you keep informs and influences so much.
What's your view on the current Houston music scene?
Tricky question. I would say it's not much different than anywhere else in that there are some good things and some bad things. Houston is unique in many ways. I try to embrace those elements and not fuss over what it lacks.
Catch Lanky live
"Heartbreak Happy Hour"
DECO
510 Gray St.
Thursday, Feb. 1st 6:30 - 9 p.m.
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