Interview by Meghan Killimade
How did you get started in music and how did the “Tender Fritters” come together -- also, who are the members & instruments?
One night in college, while driving, listening to the Oldies station, I pulled under the overpass and onto the on-ramp to I-35 toward Denton, I heard the solid crack of a snare begin “Like A Rolling Stone.” I’d never heard anything like it. Once home, I dug. More Dylan, all of his influences. I took arm-loads of music home from the library, old anthologies, Pete Seeger, Irish folk music, Patchwork European folk music, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, Woody Guthrie. This is when I decided I want to tell stories through song.
I’ve managed to piece together an exceptionally talented group around me. I met Jaime at the Dutch Tavern and he said he’d play bass for my album Wrecking Balls & Ballerinas (2022). He’s been a staple ever since. Garrett helped me on that same album. Early on, I wrote the trumpet parts for him, but he’s come around to writing his own, including harmony parts, and keeps getting better. Toby came into town and has made a name for himself in his own right as A Former Friend. One night he told me he liked our sound and wanted to contribute. Now he does on keys. Eric joins us on drums from time to time. I appreciate his subtlety and nuance.
I’ve managed to piece together an exceptionally talented group around me. I met Jaime at the Dutch Tavern and he said he’d play bass for my album Wrecking Balls & Ballerinas (2022). He’s been a staple ever since. Garrett helped me on that same album. Early on, I wrote the trumpet parts for him, but he’s come around to writing his own, including harmony parts, and keeps getting better. Toby came into town and has made a name for himself in his own right as A Former Friend. One night he told me he liked our sound and wanted to contribute. Now he does on keys. Eric joins us on drums from time to time. I appreciate his subtlety and nuance.
