Homeless Gospel Choir – This is a Protest Song

By starrymag | October 26, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Hello and thank you for your time and the wonderful Interview. How would I describe the sound of THGC? I think the sound of this project has evolved since its incarnation. At first, I just wanted to play fast acoustic punk music. Like Bob Dylan meets Crass meets Hank Williams meets the Clash. Country and political and aggressive but sweet. I was super content to just express myself accompanied with harsh fast chords with rudimentary production. over years of endless touring and learning how to be a better musician and performer I decided to turn my solo vibe to be a full band and play loud fast full band live shows. And up until the pandemic that’s exactly what was going on.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Musical Influences: recently I’ve been listening to a lot of weirdo musicals and tons of Danny Elfman, the first two Breeders records are always on, Gillian Welsch, Diners, Fiona Apple, Soul Glow, Meatloaf, Outkast, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, They Might Be Giants.

 

Q) Many of your songs are politically motivated or mention social causes close to your heart. Why is it so important for you to incorporate these messages?

 

A) Everything is political weather you want to admit it or not. even choosing to not say something is a political statement. For my entire adult life, the USA has been in military conflict. It’s hard to ignore the ramifications of how it effects every aspect of our day-to-day life. I’ve not known a time of peace for the last twenty years multiplied by the twenty-four-hour news cycle beating in your ear, doom scrolling through hours and hours of continued tragedy. Its sometimes all I can think about, and certainly effects how I write songs.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I think my writing process changes in response to how I’m feeling and what goals I have for the song. I’m always writing fragments and making voice memos on my phone. Sometimes I farm my journals and poems for line items congruent to a theme or collection of Ideas I’m trying to convey and sometimes I find all brand-new ways to say something that currently is on my mind. Sometimes I hear a noise or a series of chords or progressions that I string together and frame it from there.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I always have worked with a producer on all of the albums I’ve written. It’s good for me to have someone with a steady hand and a vision for the songs (Christin Nelson produced Luxury) Chris Barker produced all of the albums I released on AF records.

 

Q) Your new album This is a Protest Song is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) It’s a live record from 2018 in the UK. I was supporting Frank Turner and the Arkells and wanted to document my live set every night. I recorded each night on my cell phone in hopes to preserve a raw and honest document of my time there.

 

Q) There has to be a song that holds a special place in your heart. Which one(s) standout to you?

 

A) Certainly, there are songs that are important and hold a special place in my heart. But, honestly, it changes pretty frequently. Some songs take time to grow on me and I fall back in love with them. Some songs I play live a million times and I just hate to even think about them. It’s weird, I guess. I think it’s best for me to always be creating new songs and trying new things. I don’t think I’d be very happy as a nostalgia act playing songs from twenty-five years ago just to get people to buy a t-shirt. That doesn’t sound very cool to me.

 

Q) What songs off the album are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I won’t be playing any of these songs in this way for quite a bit I suppose. We put out a full band record last year right before lockdown, so once we get back to playing live shows we will be focusing on playing songs from that album. And if we do choose to play any of the songs from the album it will be with a full band arrangement, and loud and fast and super punk.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) This is a protest song is a one-time pressing of a thousand copies, and then it’s gone forever. I wanted to make it small and limited. My main goal was just to have a snapshot in time to preserve a moment. I hope that the people who like these songs can see that and enjoy it. So far, I have gotten great feedback and responses.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) All of the shows on this tour were significant to me in one way or another. It was by far the biggest and fanciest tour id ever been a part of. Giant rooms filled with eager listeners. The Round House gig in London was of very special significance. I’ll never forget that one. Liverpool was siiiick. I went to the Beatles Museum before the gig with the Arkells. It was super fun.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) At the moment I’m just amped on practicing and writing songs with the band. The five of us are enjoying just hanging out and being creative. But certainly, in the future I’d love to make music with other collaborators and friends. Andre 3000, Outkast, Kim Deal, Weezer, Atom and his package, etc.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I’ve been digging cheek face a bunch. Very honest and earnest songs that are catchy and mondo relatable. It has a strong pop sensibility but weird enough to hold your attention and not get bored with it.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I honestly think Social Media sucks for the most part. It gives me hella anxiety and feeds a piece of my ego that I would rather see die and go away. Sure, it’s nice when famous people tell you that they like your art and they think your cool, but it seems like all it is anymore is one giant pissing contest of self-congratulatory behavior that is honestly repulsive to me.  I know it’s a necessary evil to be on social media, but most of my focus is placed on my mailing list. It’s a direct way to connect with the exact people who want to hear from you without paying for sponsored adds and feeling like you’re getting lost in the shuffle. I just want to make records and play cool shows with my friends, and I’m working hard to maintain those goals without bowing to [Mark] Zuckerberg for validation.  Also, I feel like during the last past year I became somewhat addicted to social media due to lack of other social interaction, but now that shit is back open, and people are out and about and traveling I’m trying to honestly say FUCK social media and just focus on rebuilding my in person social skills that atrophied super hard during lock down.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thanks for riding with me on my creative journey. Thanks for liking these songs and letting them mean something to you. Thank you for buying THGC records and shirts and coming to gigs. Thanks for supporting me these last five and a half years through my alcohol addiction recovery. Thanks for giving me a place to talk about my shit in a safe and judgement free environment. Thanks for letting allowing me to make a living from my art and music. I feel like I hit the dang lottery and I have all of you to thank for it. There is a mountain of super sick new songs coming your way. We are gunna get back to touring, and gigs and making fun and cool music videos. Stay tuned ya’ll. Peace, Derek.