Takawaka Music sat down with Paul BearClaw of RustJaw to talk new album, With Flying Birds, and Opera of all things, and why there is no violin music in this new album.
Interviewer:
So Paul, great to finally get in touch
Paul:
That so.
Interviewer:
Yeah, it’s always great to talk to you. You’re very… eclectic.
Paul:
Really
Interviewer:
I think so
Paul:
Thanks
Interviewer:
I hear you were in Italy a while back.
Paul:
Yeah, just got back from there. Beautiful country. Great Wine. (leans in and whispers) Great Women. Can be a little “passionate,” though. Comes in handy in bed.
Interviewer:
I bet. Care to share what you were there for? In Italy.
Paul:
Opera. There was an opera festival there I went to.
Interviewer:
Opera festival? Which one?
Paul:
Arena di Verona Opera Festival. Great. Just Great. Been goin’ on since 1936 supposedly. Love being there.
Interviewer:
Yeah, what did you do?
Paul:
Listen, of course. Had the time of my life there. Met a sweet little lady there, too.
Interviewer:
Really. What’s her name?
Paul:
None of you dang business, that’s her name.
Interviewer:
Ok. So the album, With Flying Birds, has no violin?
Paul:
I know. Sad. John wanted more of a harder sound than puttin’ in a violin mix, and the producers didn’t think it was “appropriate” (he shows air quotes). But, I agree when the final product came out.
Interviewer:
Next time?
Paul:
Dang, right next time. Just kiddin’. I love that man. John of course. Not the producer. Soul bigger than the Grand Canyon, I’ll give you that. And the producers, well, we’ll just leave it at that. (laughs)
Interviewer:
Not in love with the producers?
Paul:
They’re all right I suppose. Never liked brass types anyway. Move on.
Interviewer:
Great guy, John?
Paul:
Dang rights.
Interviewer:
And Mark. How do you get along with him?
Paul:
Magnificant. Love the man. Great family. Great kids.
Interviewer:
I hear you have gone fishing with Max.
Paul:
Yup. Boy as bright as the sun.
Yeah. Yeah. And Alice, too. Smart as a whip. That girl is goin’ places.
Interviewer:
She likes Sister Sarah.
Paul:
Yeah, we all did. Tragic.
Interviewer:
I mean the song.
Paul:
Oh yeah. Beautiful. We use it as the closer to the album.
Interviewer:
So, the sister, what went on there?
Paul:
Don’t want to talk about it. But tragic, nonetheless.
Interviewer:
So no comment
Paul:
No comment necessary. John thought something might happen to her with the protests and all. Nothin’ to be done about it, I guess. You want to go that route, I guess. Things happen.
Interviewer:
Are the authorities looking into it?
Paul:
Authorities! What authorities? Nothin’ going to happen with that. Nothin’ at all. Tragic.
Interviewer:
Ok. You sing on the Album
Paul:
Hell yeah. Gave it a whirl.
Interviewer:
You have a great voice Paul. You need to do more singing.
Paul:
Yeah. Suppose
Interviewer:
Tell me about When the Storm Came Down.
Paul:
Great tune. Lot of heart. Sad though. John writes a lot of sad music, unfortunately.
Interviewer:
Why unfortunately?
Paul:
A lot of sadness in that man. A lot of breakups. Disappointment. Needs a break. I’m thankful, though for some of the other upbeat songs. Love With Flying Birds. Love the laugh. We didn’t know if it should go in, but John thought it was necessary. It works. Works great if I do say so myself.
Interviewer:
I hear he has a new flame.
Paul:
Who?
Interviewer:
John
Paul:
Oh Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hope that sticks. Seems nice enough.
Interviewer:
You met her?
Paul:
Yeah, during a press somethin’ or other. Good woman. This might be the one.
Interviewer:
Good. Good to hear that he met someone.
Paul:
Yup. Has a great voice too. If this holds, you might hear her someday.
Interviewer:
Really.
Paul:
Might. Who knows with John. Man’s deep, but not too bright with women.
Interviewer:
Ok. Good Ole Jasper Jack. Fun song.
Paul:
Yup. Met that man down on the Bayue there somewhere. (whispers) We don’t talk about where exactly. Crazy man. Eyes all over the place. (points everywhere) Good moonshine though. Crazy man. Great dog.
Interviewer:
And do they really both come when you call out Jack?
Paul:
(laughs) hell yeah. Craziest thing you ever saw. Don’t know why. The man isn’t dumb. Just comes.
Interviewer:
Maybe just having fun.
Paul:
No, no. That’s how he is.
Interviewer:
Really?
Paul:
Really.
Interviewer:
What’s next for the band?
Paul:
Don’t know. John hasn’t said anything. We’re hopin’ it’s a success. We love it. Don’t know what the people will do with it. All in their hands now. Can’t do a thing about it. Hope they like it.
Interviewer:
So nothin’ then.
Paul:
John doesn’t like doin’ live shows. Messes him up. Very quiet man until he starts singin’. Doesn’t like large crowds.
Interviewer:
That’s too bad. It would be great to hear the songs live.
Paul:
Yup, yup. But even Mark. On the farm and everythin’. Doesn’t really like leavin’ it. And the kids and all. You know, he has a special bond with his wife. Somethin’ you don’t see all that much any more. Great woman.
Interviewer:
Daisy. Any connection to the song Daisy Mae?
Paul:
Another thing we don’t talk about.
Interviewer:
John.
Paul:
Don’t want to talk about that. It’s all good. Nobody got hurt. All is well.
Interviewer:
Where is he now. John, I mean?
Paul:
Who knows. Ridin’ that cycle of his. With his new girl and that dog. What’s his name…(snaps fingers), Hunter, Hunter, that’s right. When you start getting older, you lose a lot up there.
Interviewer:
You’re not old
Paul:
42. Getting up there.
Interviewer:
Nah, you’re not old. You have a lot of time left.
Paul:
Never know. Things happen. Sister Sarah! Just sayin’. Things happen. I stay away from all that. Keep to myself. Here in the backwoods, by myself. Sittin’ here playing the violin (points back to his violin). Maybe my new lady friend will come visitin’, but the way things are right now, maybe not.
Interviewer:
Things?
Paul:
You know. Things! Things! Don’t like talking about that either. Damn politicians. Screw up everthin’.
Interviewer:
Not a politician lover?
Paul:
(Stares. Takes a puff)
Interviewer:
So it was great talking Paul. I wish you well. Hope the record does well and all.
Paul:
Same here. Good talkin’. We’ll see. A lot of music out there right now. A lot of ai and all.
Interviewer:
But your AI. (I chuckle)
(Looks me straight in the eye and doesn’t say a thing. Takes another puff.)
Interviewer:
Ok then. Take care, Paul. Again, really good talkin’ to you. Good luck with the album.
Paul:
Thanks. You too.