Interview with Sean Rowe

One cool thing about roots music is that it can be very wide ranged at times. The fusion of folk and blues leaves endless musical possibility and a wonderful example of that is Troy, NY, singer-songwriter Sean Rowe. Sean has put out a gem of an album this year with Madman and he’ll be headlining a show at the legendary Columbus Theatre in Providence with Haunt The House’s Will Houlihan on October 2. I had a chance to talk with Sean about his unique style of playing, the new album, his obsession with the woods and many other things.

Rob Duguay: On Thursday October 2^, you’ll be performing at The Columbus Theatre in Providence. For people who are not familiar with your music, what can they expect to see from you on stage?

Sean Rowe: Well, I guess I would say that I’m primarily a solo performer, although I do occasionally play with a band. In Providence it’ll just be me on stage, so I kinda do this thing of a one man show as if the whole band is me. That’s the way I like to bill it.

RD: So it’ll be you with a guitar and kick drum?

SR: No I play through an amp. I like to split the sound up between the amp and the acoustics so it’s all one thing.

RD: A few weeks ago you released your fourth studio album with Madman. What I love most about the record is that you can sense a great range of influences. For example, “Desiree” sounds like something straight out of Motown, “My Little Man” is a classic ballad and “The Real Thing” is a mix between the tones of Muddy Waters and Creedence Clearwater Revival. What was your main vision when you were going into the studio to make the album?

SR: I wanted this one to have more of a direct sound to it. I wanted it to have more of an earthy, raw and muddy feel to it. My other records were a little bit more produced and with this one I co-produced it so I had a lot of say in how it went down in the arrangements and all that. There’s a lot of me involved in it and I just wanted it to be really grounded and really direct.

RD: You can definitely notice that in the tones of the guitar especially. You’ve were born and raised in Troy, NY, and still call that place along the Hudson River home. So often, a musician will leave his hometown to go to one of the big cities and engulf themselves into a widespread music scene. What has made you stay in Troy all of these years?

SR: I just like the area. I love upstate New York and I love the scenery. I’ve been going to the Adirondack Mountains ever since I was a kid and I also have family ties here. I grew up here and a big part of Troy to me is that all my friends and family are here.

RD: Whenever you play in Troy, do you have friends you haven’t seen in 20 years come to your shows and you’ll end up catching up on things?

SR: Yeah, there’s definitely some of that, especially when I’ve been out of town for a long time. A lot of these people have also been coming to see me ever since I started when I was a teenager so there’s a lot of that homegrown feeling.

RD: You also are an avid naturalist and you’re no stranger to hanging out in the woods. You go out and forage wild plants and you’ve even gone on survival quests in the wilderness. If you had to give me one of your craziest experiences from hanging out in the woods and looking for wild mushrooms and whatever else you could find, what would it be?

SR: One time I built this thing called a scout pit; it’s kind of like an underground shelter. It basically looks like a grave. You climb inside of it and you’re completely covered because the outside looks just like the ground because you’ve camouflaged it and you climb into this little doorway opening on the surface of the ground and you get underneath there. One time I did this in my backyard when I was younger and I slept in it. It’s completely black in there, you wouldn’t want to be in there if you’re claustrophobic, but it was really eerie hearing all of the animals walk right above me. It’s a very weird feeling being in the blackness down there, not everybody would want to do that. I felt kinda cozy that night but it’ll probably be a little strange for most people.

RD: As long as you’re cozy and comfortable, I guess that helps. Another thing that makes you a pretty unique individual and musician is that you recently did a house concert tour. What sparked the idea to embark on this particular endeavor? What was the nicest house you played in while being on this little tour?

SR: Well, I’ve never played in a not nice house. I basically booked this tour because I was feeling that there was going to be a lull in between two records and I didn’t know what to do with myself, quite honestly. So I figured that I’d do a couple house shows and I made a Facebook post to see who’d be interested and it turned out a lot of people wanted me to perform at their place. Not too many people have done tours just with house shows so I thought, “Man, this is weird but it feels right.” We had enough interest that we could book a whole nationwide tour of them and that’s what we’ve done since January. As far as the actual houses, I’d say that I just like the atmosphere, it doesn’t matter the space. I couldn’t care less if it’s a mansion or a shack, it just has to have a vibe. It’s the people who really make it and I’ve had the pleasure of playing for some great people, that makes all the difference.

RD: I can totally understand that. What can fans expect from you for the rest of 2014 and beyond after the show at The Columbus?

SR: I’m just going to be pushing as hard as I can with the new album and I’m going to be really on the road for probably a long time — I’d imagine for the rest of this year and most of next year.

I highly suggest you come see Sean Rowe play The Columbus Theatre on Oct 2. If you’re a folk fanatic, a blues hound or someone who just likes good music, I guarantee there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t be square and I’ll see you there.

Sean Rowe’s website: seanrowe.net