In this performer question and answer session, I speak with Brad Fielder, who will be performing a free show at the Norman Music Festival. The Brad Fielder Trio will perform at The Brewhouse Stage Saturday, April 25 at 9:30 PM. Since this is the eighth year for the festival, here are eight questions to get to know the performers.
1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe yourself and your music?
I strive to be a likeable and easy-going guy and put that into my music as much as possible. My music and songwriting would best be described as falling into the Traditional American Roots style: Folk, Country blues and Narrative storytelling with some cautionary tales and ballads thrown in the mix.
2. What song would like a person who hasn’t heard your music listen to first?
“Take Me Back To Lillian’s”
3. What’s your song writing process?
The idea or story always comes first. Telling a coherent and cohesive story is most important, be it relatable to the listener or not. I keep a list of potential song titles with ideas attached to them that I can draw from when need be. My concentration is on the lyrics and arrangement of the verse/chorus/bridge/refrain structure–whatever that may be for the particular song I’m working on. At the onset of writing a song, I usually have in mind if it will be a banjo or guitar song. Once the lyrics and structure are set, I’ll find the key I can best sing it in and arrange the chord structure accordingly.
4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
I’ve enjoyed participating in the Norman Music Festival for many years now. It’s a great opportunity for me to reach an expanded audience that wouldn’t generally hear my music. The festival is also a great weekend for the businesses in downtown Norman to get discovered by all the out-of-towners the festival brings in.
5. In general, what inspires you?
Stories, memories, passion, folklore, history… Basically, the human experience.
6. You’ve just been offered an all expenses paid trip. Where would you go?
If all expenses were paid, I’d take my dog, Boudreaux, with me on a tour to play music in all of the lower 48 states.
7. Any plans while you’re in the area?
Oh, I’m always in this area. I just want to keep playing music everywhere I can, stay happy, eat good food and have fun.
8. Anything else you want the public to know about you?
I have stood naked in the clouds and crouched fully clothed underground.
http://bradfielder.net/
https://www.youtube.com/user/bradfieldermusic
http://bradfielder.tumblr.com/gallery
https://soundcloud.com/bradfielder
https://bradfielder.bandcamp.com/
