Kim Ruehl: Tell me a little bit about your record and what you've been up to lately.
Pete Francis: There's a new record I recorded actually in May of last year, but I had a lot going on because we were doing these Dispatch concerts. But I think I've been working on these songs for the last year and a half and collaborating with my friend Craig Dryer. The new record...I wanted to create a cool journey of songs. Some of my favorite records, you just put them on and go through the whole record and each song [is a journey]. I wanted it to be sort of rooted in acoustic guitar and vocals, with that being the main thing. But there are drums and lap steel, adding some spice to it.
What about the title (Iron Sea and the Calvary? Where did that come from?
I think it's the strength that one looks for, and the strength you already have.
So is that the running theme for you? Strength?
The running theme? I would say it's more about finding one's strength.
So after ten years with the band, what is it like to be solo? Do you miss that level of collaboration, or is it just a different journey for you?
Yeah, I think there are different parts that I miss, because it's the guys that I played music with for a long time. But, at the same time, I think for our own growth as musicians, I think it's important that we all go different projects. That's been very cool. And also, there are a lot of musicians I don't think I would've met [otherwise]. What they bring to a song has been really cool. Also, collaborating with different songwriters. Dispatch was just [us] collaborating with each other. But now I write a song on my own, or bring a song to someone else who can add new ideas.
When you started working on this record, did you have the idea of this record in mind? Or did you just write a bunch of songs and they all wound up on the record?
I didn't really have a theme in mind. Sometimes, you just go through a certain time in your life, and this is what comes out. You can't define it other than looking back. It's really difficult for me to define or describe the meaning of the record, because it might take away from the truth that I make for myself through music. I didn't really have an idea for some sort of renewal or strength in mind. It’s just what happened. I think it's also about renewal—being able to refresh and move on.
How much of an influence is New York City on your work?
New York is incredible. All the different colors and sounds, and you're meeting different people. You pop out of the subway...you start out in one section [of the city] and when you pop out, it's like you're in a different city, or a different country sometimes. I think it's a really strong influence on how I write.
What are some other things that inspire you?
I'd say reading, walking—anything. Anything I can put a story to, through song lyrics. Just walking through the city and listening to music in my iPod, sometimes [laughs]...
Was there anything specifically you were listening to or doing for inspiration when you were working on this record? Or was it just like, you went into the studio and you were inspired?
I think that's a good question. I think I've been listening to a lot of soul music, typically. I like Stax records—artists like Otis Redding. I love that. I think that was definitely stuff that I was listening to. But there was nothing that I heard where I felt like, This is what I want [the record] to look like. I was definitely listening to a lot of soul music, jazz too. It's cool to listen to ideas as opposed to listening to music with song lyrics. Sometimes listening to jazz, ideas just emerge.
How do you explain your music to people when they ask you what you do?
I don't know, it's sort of similar to a painter describing, you know, What do your paintings look like? and you just want to say, Well look at them. [laughs] For me, I don't know how to explain it. People might say it's rock, folk, roots...but I just try to avoid those stereotypes, because then you’re not really creating.
So what are you doing? Are you going on the road after this release.
The record was released on March 18. We’ve been on tour, I've been playing gigs, and I'm going on a tour with a band named Matt Pond PA. So I'm looking forward to that.
Is there anything else you want people to know about this record or what you’re up to?
I think they should just listen to it as soon as they can.
Interview conducted April, 2008.
