Wake-up songs for astronauts with Adam Arcuragi
Adam Arcuragi is a name to be read these days. With Album No. 3 the Singer / Songwriter from Philadelphia seems to finally get attention from the music interested world. Now even the german “Rolling Stone” - the old Lady of music journalism - discovered this young Songwriter, who is following a dusty road straight into the heart of Americana. The songs on “I Am Become Joy” stand in a very old tradition and even if its roots go back into the 40’s you could also find some influences of modern alternative country - acts like The Jayhawks or early Wilco. The artist himself likes to call his music “Death Gospel” by the way.
Buzz: Could you please name some of your favourite blues and country artists?
Adam Arcuragi: There is no way I could list them all. There are so many. But I’ll give it a try: Loretta Lynn, The Trumpeteers, Willie Nelson, Leadbelly, Hank Williams Sr., Gram Parsons, Waylon Jennings, Uncle Dave Macon, The Carter Family, Neko Case and Gillian Welch.
Buzz: You grew up in a different time and different circumstances, than people like Leadbelly for example. How is it possible that you deal with similar toppics in your songs and still can be taken serious?
Adam Arcuragi: We are all the same animal. We all share the same genetic makeup and thus all are pretty much equal when it comes to potential for understanding. Also, I don’t really talk about anything that I haven’t experienced unless it is something historical or used as a metaphor. Metaphor is a fantastic device for writers. I’m not a storyteller like “He went here and she did this”. So in the strictest sense I’m not a storyteller at all.
Buzz: When I listened to your latest record, pictures of a travelling man on a long, dusty road in the middle of a slightly sunny afternoon came to my mind. Would you agree, that your songs are perfect for being “on the road”?
Adam Arcuragi: Sure. We get feedback all the time from people telling of all the situations where they enjoy the music. Some folks play it for their kids. Some folks play it in the background while they’re getting romantic. Others put it on at parties. To tell you the truth it all is wonderful. I’d like to think it’s good driving music. I would also love it if we could get NASA to use it as wake up music for the astronauts and also have a song selected for a voyager probe-like misison.
Buzz: Please name your Top 5 Songs for a roadtrip.
Adam Arcuragi:
1) “Farewell Transmission” by Songs: Ohia
2) Anything by Belle and Sebastian
3) “I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes” by The Carter Family
4) Anything by Bob Dylan
5) “Milky White Way” by The Trumpeteers
