The Baker's Dozen #23 A.J. Croce

Welcome to the first Baker’s Dozen of 2021 here at RGM. We’re very pleased to welcome A.J. Croce who checked in with RGM from his East Nashville home to chat about his influences (which ties in nicely with his new album ‘By Request’ due February 5th), a love of spy thrillers and how, by taking a look back at how musicians have adapted to change in the past, we might all be able to move forward post-pandemic. It’s a really good read and thanks again to A.J. for his time.

1. What is your earliest musical memory?

Hearing my father performing with Randy Newman (1973). (Editor’s Note: A.J. Croce’s dad was the acclaimed singer and songwriter Jim Croce best known for ‘Time In A Bottle’ and ‘I Got A Name’).

2. Do you remember the name of your first band?

I started off playing solo, but the first band I played in was called The Hottentots. We were a 60’s style garage rock & roll band. I played a Vox Continental organ.

3. Which current artist do you hear and just go Wow?

Fiona Apple

4. Do you sit down to write songs or do you wait until your mojo comes to get you?

I write every day. It’s harder some days than others. Sometimes I write a whole song, maybe more, though often I’ll write only an instrumental, or a couple of verses and a chorus. Every day is different; it’s an exercise, in patience, and craft.

5. Big venue or small venue - what's your favourite to play?

I like performing in old opera houses and theaters with about 1500 seats. As a piano player, these venues tend to have beautiful pianos, and superior sound.

6. Who is the one artist you wish you could share a stage with (past or present)?

The Rolling Stones

7. Bowie, Prince, Sinatra, Elvis which departed great means the most to you?

All of these artists and countless others have left a record of their work. As long as their music can be heard, they are very much alive to me.

8. The musical landscape could change markedly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. How has the situation affected you and what do you feel will be its impact on the music business/live performance going forward?

Since all of my gigs from 2020 and the first part of 2021 have been rebooked for later this year, and the next...and the next, I’ve had more time to practice, write and generally experiment than I’ve had since I was a teenager.

Some of the impact is obvious, though it’s hard to predict how it will affect the music business down the road. While I’m not comfortable with live streaming (due to technical issues), many folks have been incredibly creative. We were fortunate to have the basic infrastructure available when lockdown started, so the people who were already comfortable streaming live had a head start, and we all learned of the possibilities. One thing that I’ve felt strongly about over the last year is that there’s nothing like hearing live music. There will always be an audience for live music. Many younger artists may have been set back by so many venues struggling and closing; if they keep playing it’ll work out. Many of those same people had an advantage having the wherewithal to stream their new music far more effectively than myself (I am an analog man).

I’ve felt that since the pandemic started that looking to the past could be helpful. I don’t just mean looking at how entertainment carried on during the Spanish flu, but, what if, unlike the past, we didn’t enter the roaring 20’s, but the depression of the 1930’s. The artists of the 30’s became icons of American culture. Part of their success was based on a carryover from their success in the late 20’s, though, the icons of the 30’s diversified. They played residencies for a bit less money, so they could afford to tour, they performed on radio and took any opportunity to perform in films. The combination of all of their efforts allowed many of them to have long careers. We have even more ways now to be creative than ever before.

9. Should music be free?

No. Nothing worth having, besides nature is free. If someone wants to give their music away, that’s fine with me, as long as they don’t complain later about not being able to make a living playing music. To make music costs money, to promote and market it costs money. And touring costs money. Why should it be free? The other relevant question to me is do people truly value anything that they didn’t pay for one way or another?

10. Can you remember the first record you bought and what have you bought recently?

I grew up listening to my dad’s collection and I feel very lucky he had great and eclectic taste. The first two records I bought in ‘77 were Talking Heads ‘77, and David Bowie’s Low. My most recent purchase was a first pressing of The Seeds, and a first pressing of Nina Simone’s I Put A Spell On You

11. What was the last song that made you cry actual tears?

Nina Simone - Mississippi. God Damn 

12. Do you binge watch Netflix / Amazon / DVD box sets (any recommendations)?

Yes! I record all the Noir films Saturday night on TCM. I like the spy genre and loved watching several series based on John Le Carre novels, The Night Manager and The Little Drummer Girl were especially good. The other series I learned about during the last few months, was Killing Eve, which I binge watched.

12 (b) Do you have a guilty pleasure in Film or TV you’ll admit to watching and loving?

I don’t feel guilt for pleasure. As long as nobody is hurt, I’m all in. 

13. What is the most important thing to you that you can see from where you are right now?

I’m currently replying to your questions while sitting in my living room in East Nashville, simmering a sauce on the stove, that smells like it might be ready, and looking at this little beauty. She’s my ‘64 Gibson ES140. Over the last several months I’ve been most inspired by this guitar

A.J. Croce ‘By Request’ is released on February 5th, 2021 via Compass Records.

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