Jack Klatt on Dancing Babies, Traveling and the Midwest
Courtesy of the Jack Klatt Facebook page
If you’ve been looking for a night of dancing, upbeat music and good company, look no further than the Jack Klatt Trio at the Terrace July 31. Native of Minnesota’s Mississippi River banks and folk musician, Jack Klatt took time to chat with me about his upcoming show, his music and more. Klatt’s sound is an awesome blend of country, blues and folk–check it out here.
TV: You’ve played in Madison a few times, is this the first time you’ll be playing at the Terrace?
JK: It will be the first time I played with my regular band. The last time I was there I opened up for Pokey LaFarge and I’ve played at Mickey’s, too. This will be fun to play at the Terrace and have the band down with me.
TV: Tell us a little bit about your band.
JK: We’ve been known as the Cat Swingers in the past, but that was an older incarnation of the group. Now were just doing a trio–it includes my main side man Patrick Harrison; he plays accordion, lap steel and wash board. He’s a multi-instrumentalist of the group. And we have our upright bass player, Josh Granowski.
TV: What has your music experience been like getting to this point? What do you hope for the future?
JK: I’ve been performing since I was a kid in some way or another. I started doing it professionally about five years ago. I’ve started to realize I need to travel more, and to make a living in music you have to be on the road.
One of the things that really got me into music is my love of traveling. They go so well together, music and traveling. I think that’s what the future holds; I’m going to be on the road a whole lot more with or without my band. We’re also going to be recording a new CD come this fall.
TV: You’re a Minnesota native, has your Midwestern background shaped your music style?
JK: Oh yeah, I grew up near the Mississippi River. I love the Midwest. I spent a lot of time trying to get out of [the Midwest] but a few years back I just realized that the Midwest is where is at. Everyone is trying to go to the coast to get the new hit thing and be ahead of the times, but I like the slow rhythm of the Midwest. It’s where it’s at.
TV: Who/what are some of your musical influences?
JK: Spider John Koerner is one of my heroes; I’ve spent a lot of time watching him play music. He lives in Minneapolis and we’ve gotten to know each other. He’s turned into a buddy of mine which is pretty cool. Charlie Parr is another influence for sure. I dig into a lot of old music as well. Kid Bailey, Big Bill Broonzy and older blues guys—I love that music.
TV: If you could describe your music in one phrase, what would it be?
JK: American music.
TV: What is one thing you love from an audience?
JK: Dancing—a lot of this music is dancing music. Everybody can dance. That’s one of the things I don’t like about the Midwest, there’s a severe lack of dancing going on. When an audience dances, that’s the best. It’s like a visual metronome. I played on the street a whole bunch doing stuff in New Orleans, Minneapolis, California and all over. One thing I used as a barometer is if you can get the babies dancing and the kids smiling then you’re making good music.
TV: If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
JK: Oh man, I don’t know. Maybe a traveling snake juice salesmen. I couldn’t imagine being anything other than a musician really, it’s who I am.
TV: For your concert later this month, what are you most excited to perform?
JK: I’ve been writing a lot of new stuff which I am excited about. One is an autobiographical tune—”The King of the Losers.” I’m looking forward to play the up-tempo numbers that will hopefully get people up out of their seats and moving around.
TV: You’ll be in Madison that whole weekend for the Sugar Maple Festival…
JK: We’re really excited about that. A lot of friends all over the country are playing at that festival and it will be really cool to hang out and make music with everyone.
You heard him, make sure to be up on your feet July 31 and the rest of the weekend at the Sugar Maple Festival to the music of the Jack Klatt Trio.
Looking forward to the Jack Klatt Trio and other Terrace After Dark shows? Share your comments, thoughts and questions below!
