INTERVIEW
CHUCK RAGAN
by Christer Davidsson, March 2008
Posted on March 10th, 2008

Hey Chuck! How are you doing?

All is well! Working and living!

It's been a little more than 6 months since your debut studio album "Feast or Famine" was released. It's been getting some pretty rave reviews, am I right?

I've been pretty damn blessed and have been truly overwhelmed at the response that's come from the record. I think everyone who was involved did a fine job and I feel lucky to have had it all fall into place.

Originally being in such an influential band as Hot Water Music, how did you feel about the release of your first "real" solo-album? Did you feel any pressure from fans/ people around you? I mean, there must have been some pretty high expectations.

To be honest, it was about the last thing on my mind. I had a batch of songs and was fired up to get them documented properly and have a blast doing it. My main concerns was getting some good sounds with it and staying within our budget and time constraints. That was the only pressure really. Other than that, I just set out to have a great time with friends and make a record.

Musically, your solo-stuff is pretty different from the type of stuff HWM is about. How did you decide to start playing folkish music? Is it something you've been doing all along or was it a new challenge you wanted to take on?

It's not a whole stretch different than what I've been doing for years in the sense of writing. All of the early and a lot of the late HWM material was written on acoustic so in those terms it's on the same level. Folks songs to me are as important to imbrace and pass on as any other stories or tales we need to carry on. I've always loved the styles of playing, the drive, and the rebellion of it. So it makes complete sense to do this now. Especially the drive to become more self sufficient and independent.

Punk-singers picking up an acoustic guitar and starting to play more folk/country inspired music seems like something that is happening more an more often. Would you consider it a trend of some sort?

It's always been there. Most likely always will be. At least for us as in my friends and I. Nothing's changed other than maybe it's gotten more noticed over the past decade or so. I think it's just another obvious natural progression.

Personally I think some of these guys should have stuck to the punk, since a lot of them lack both the vocal and musical qualities that it takes to do something like this. Your record, however, feels so sincere and thought-through. What is it that separates a good folk-singer from a bad one?

I see what your saying in a sense but I'll have to say that it's the guts and the actions that defines them, this, and the rest of the world. By the way, quality is what sent punk downhill to begin with right?! Honestly, I think alot of is is just a matter of opinion.
As far as the good from the bad for instance, that's a very good question but a personal one at that I believe. What may be good to me may be the opposite to the rest and vice versa. I think it's brave for anyone to take a step in that direction and to cut themselves open in front of people and wear their heart on their sleeve. I may not like it or I may plain love it. Either way I'll always commend it.

Well, I guess you're right. The guts and the energy you put into music is by far the most important thing and I really agree with that. Maybe I'm just a bit too picky, ha ha. Have you, yourself, been getting any bad response because of your decision to do stuff on your own?

A little here and there of course but that's always to be expected anytime anyone puts themselves out there on the table I believe. This music isn't for everyone and I fully respect and except that. It doesn't bother me a bit if someone can't or won't get their head around it since it's never held me up. I'm sure it'd be a different story if I was out to impress or gain recognition, but I'm just doing what I love and loving what I'm doing. If anything, negativity or constructive critisism only helps by bringing us all back down to earth here and there and keeping the old ego in check!

Do you think this stuff could have something to do with people in the "scene" getting more open-minded? I mean, it hasn't always been totally ok to say you're influenced by Springsteen, Seeger or the old country heroes, has it?

It has where I come from my friend.

I still think that there's a lot of people who are into punk and hardcore that talk a lot about being open to new ideas while they're actually kind of narrow-minded. A lot of the time punk and hardcore is about how "punk" you are or how "tough" you look. I know narrow-minded people can be found anywhere, but do you get what I'm talking about?

Sure. Your talking image over ideals. I think you can find that within any community or any genre. Some people are there for the love of it and have solid ethics, and some are there just to be there comfortable with an image.

What artists would say have had an impact on you as a solo-musician?

My wife Jill, Bragg, Stubbs, HWM, Dylan, Hazel Dickens, Stanley Bros., Jon Gaunt, Ted Hutt, Willie, Seeger, Whitmore, Ben Nichols, Tim Barry, Billy Ed Wheeler, Rob McGregor, many other friends who inspire and yes, The Boss.

Would you say that your solo-lyrics is any different from what you've written with HWM?

To me, no. Writing feels very much the same most of the time. If anything, there's less pressure and more freedom of expression really. Though we played for ourselves and were ourselves, over the years HWM become something beyond us as individuals. There were postives and negatives about all of that but that's another story. Over the years basically we built up a repitoire and an image and with each record had to represent each other and deliver to top the last. Nowadays I feel much more grounded and am living in my own means and more so in "the now" than ever before in my life. So in the end, there's much less pressure.

So the lyrics gets more personal when you're writing for yourself?

Absolutely.

"Feast or Famine" was released by Side One Dummy (CD) and No Idea (Vinyl). I know HWM has always been a No Idea kind of band but how come you got a deal with SOD?

Side One Dummy have impressed me more than most in the industry. They're a solid group of friends who run a well thought out label as well as a team who cares and works hard for their bands. They're simply a hard working independent label with a brilliant head on their shoulders and run by great people. I'm proud to be a part of them. I love No Idea and wanted to keep them involved through this which is why I gave them the vinyl on these past two releases. HWM wasn't a exclusive No Idea band. We've done a massive amount of releases with Var but have always kept our freedom to work with who we please.



Apart from the studio album, a live-LP and a lot of 7-inches on various labels, you've just recorded some new music with this guy named Austin Lucas. Who is he and what can you tell me about the project?

He a fantastic player and singer as well as a wonderful writer and dear friend. We hit it off some time back, did a split 7" on Hometown Caravan out of Germany and have wanted to collaborate since. We just finished a record we call "Bristle Ridge" that we recorded with his dad Bob Lucas who's a story within himself, Jon Gaunt my fiddle player, and Digger Barnes who plays stand up. It's a pure sounding blugrass, folky, gospel record of originals and a couple standards. We love it. Austin is something else though. Go to his myspace site, look him up, meet him. He's great.

After a couple of years in silence you've been starting to do some shows with Hot Water Music again. How has the response been so far? I guess all the shows have been sold-out, ha ha! Am I right?

The response has been intense to say the least. Everything and more than anyone could imagine. We count our blessings!

You're coming over to europe as well, right? How do you feel about playing over here, compared to the states? Is there a difference?

I love coming over. This will be the 2nd time playing solo shows over there and I'm thrilled! We love the response and the energy that we get over there and are always happy to give back. It's an honor.

I heard the interview with you on Issue Oriented a week or so ago. You talked a little bit about starting up your own label. Is this something you've been wanting to do for a while or is it more of a fun thing?

Both I'd say. We're calling it Ten Four Records. Mainly to release "Bristle Ridge" and some of my own work in the future. Jill and are looking forward to it and just taking it one step at a time. We'll be running it through the website chuckraganmusic.com as well as myspace and with anyone else willing to help out.

Sounds really cool. So, the label is something you're starting up together with your wife?

That's right. We're starting an online store over the website as well we're calling our little mom and pop shop. We'll be selling all types of releases both limited and not as well as t-shirts and other merch.

Apart from doing shows what have you been up to lately? Any new recordings in the works?

Always! Keep posted over chuckraganmusic.com It'll all be there and will stay current. A friend from Germany is coming to stay with us after SXSW. Nagel of the band Muff Potter. We've talked of laying something down but we'll see. My next main focus will be jsut continuing with the writing for the next Side One Dummy release.

So, do you have any finished songs for the next album already? Do you have any idea when it will be out?

I have quite a bit of material demoed but plan to really get into it through the end of the year. Hopefully record then as well or the beginning of 09. I can't wait!

Are you taking on any new directions on the new album or will it similar to "Feast Or Famine"? Can you give us a hint of what to expect?

I have no idea. The plan is to have no plan other than making the best record I could possible make.

Anything else you'd like to add while you have the chance?

No thank you. Thanks for caring and taking the time out to ask!

Ok, thanks a lot Chuck for doing this interview. Good luck with all the stuff you're working on and have a great day!

All the best!