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1.) We’re excited to have some time today with acclaimed alt-rock singer and songwriter Stephen Jacques; greetings and salutations Stephen and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we meander down the proverbial Q&A pathway, how is the latter-half of 2024 treating you and yours thus far?
Thank You Vents Magazine, all is fine in Virginia, another hot Summer. BUT amazingly productive: preparing to tour in southern Europe, after July’s releasing of our new album “Prayers for an Orange Cat”- with the help of Publicist Krista Vilinskis; having spent the last 6 months writing “Wagon Train Riders” for 2025 release. Then also a book on self-motivation which is going to be called “Winning the Fight Within: 12 Ways to Power Your Life Forward”. It was a change from songs. Ha ha. On a different note, we lost Chicago’s legendary Recording Engineer Steve Albini in May 2024, a big shock to the entire world. Steve was a grand presence in a huge music industry, simply an amazing Renaissance man, so it’s been a lot to reflect upon, great memories I’ll treasure.
2.) Major congratulations on your freshly-minted new album Prayers for an Orange Cat! Starting at the tip-top, could you talk about what inspired one of the very best LP releases of ‘24?
Prayers for an Orange Cat were various topics, following Spain, Norway, Israel tours….and yes, the orange cat walks the beat outside my window every morning so his presence drove me to a song. Songs like “Sometimes love is not Enough” and “Tel Aviv Sea Balcony” were inspired by people I met out and about. The first song was inspired by a guy I met in Charlottesville, the other, a Happy Hour in Tel Aviv at 7pm sundown chatting with an elderly German woman sipping wine. “Fisherman of Ireland” is one I enjoyed singing as it made me remember Shane MacGowan of the Pogues in Washington DC a few years ago.
3.) You recorded Prayers for an Orange Cat with rightly lauded recording engineer Steve Albini and Jason Narducy. What did the collaboration process look like between all of you while in the studio fashioning and shaping this new LP?
Always so much fun in Chicago with those delightful legends: Late Steve Albini and Jason Narducy, With them having played thousands of shows boasting 40 years experience each… soooo…. they don’t need much direction and can enhance or properly direct anything sent their way. What a treat it always is! We will record in October again, same musicians. Without Steve RIP, it’s going to be sadly surreal. Jason Narducy is the man who inspired Dave Grohl at age 12, saying “hey if he can do that I can too”. I feel very blessed on all fronts. Electrical Audio Recording Studios.
4.) We’re big admirers of the Sometimes Love is Not Enough tune which is off of the Prayers for an Orange Cat LP! What’s the scoop on how this gem of ditty came into being?
It sounds alt-country. The scoop is, I randomly met Mike Fairbrother on a putting green in Charlottesville, VA and we were talking about relationships and he said “yeah, you know Sometimes Love is Not Enough”, and I said “what did you say” and he repeated it, then explained some aspects of break ups. So you can imagine what direction this was heading. Then I said you know it’s stuff exactly like this which becomes a song and he kind of chuckled. So on the drive home, I was probably configuring some thoughts, but didn’t write the song for a few months, which is typical. After it gestated for a while.
5.) Can you introduce our ever-inquisitive readers to some of the other talented musicians who lent their musical alchemy into making Prayers for an Orange Cat a reality?
The legendary Chris Siebold (Prairie Home Companion) on lap steel/guitars, Vijay Tellis-Nayak on piano/keys, Gerald Dowd drumming/percussion, Jennifer Hall on backing vocals. All of them are absolutely stupendous on any given level. Jason Narducy Bass/Guitars/Percussion, Steve Albini Recording Engineer/Producer.
6.) In your humble opinion, what differentiates Prayers for an Orange Cat from the Distinguished Competition on the current day music scene?
It’s quite the mix, a unique body of work, a sound distinct in its own way, yet doesn’t attempt to sound like anyone else; Fisherman of Ireland may perhaps conjure The Waterboys even though I was probably inspired by Shane of Pogues fame.
7.) In the wake of the release of Prayers for an Orange Cat, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit?
September 3rd -7th Tour: Greece-Hydra Island. September 8-11th Santorini, Greece.. Late September 17-28th Canadian – USA Northeast tour to be announced.
8.) You count Charlottesville, Virginia as your stomping grounds, yet your family roots extend to both New York and New Orleans. How do these seemingly disparate roots inform you as both an artist and as a person?
Music-Food: In the Virginia homes of my Grandparents, who grew up in those cities, my mind was easily transported via music selections, playing of Piano, singing, and the vibrant kitchen smells…as the classroom; so growing up in Richmond, Virginia was a convergence of Southern, Italian French cooking, so it was a good balance yet different….Richmond was Smith, Jones, Reynolds… not Jacques , Soriano, Cotillo….ha ha. Lots of amazing artists in Richmond’s “Fan” district as well.
9.) As a singer and songwriter, which generally tends to come first for you during the creative process: The lyrics or the music?
Verse melody, chorus melody, verse lyrics, chorus lyrics- in that order. I was an engineer and builder so organized systems and build-outs are structured like that.
10.) Who are you inspired by, musically-speaking?
Today, Arc De Soleil is my hero. I Love so many: Jimi, Steve Ray Vaughan, Magnolia Electric Co. ‘s Jason Molina, Cracker, Warren Zevon Accidentally like a Martyr is really something. Dope Lemon’s Marinade on my iphone now. Hotel Lights is something Alan Weatherhead did a fabulous job producing & Box of Moxie, my old band.
11.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to your new LP Prayers for an Orange Cat?
I want them to picture the passion, intense focus, hard work, and careful attention, of the amazingly talented Late Steve Albini, as recording engineer, leaning back in his chair, eyes closed, deeply concentrating on every second of sound he could discern and analyze from the playbacks- right there in front of his beloved control panel; prior to mixing the record. In a room meticulously built by him, earned by him, then shared with the world, to bring the love of music to you. That was his dream, to send some love your way. We’re really gonna miss that gem big time. Steve defined hard work, compassion for others, and putting the artist first.
