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If you're into rock with a lot of harmony, Birdhouse Gourds, out of Lorain County, may be just the act you have to track down. Armed with their latest cd release, "Ohio," Sheffield guitarist Jerry Popiel gave the migration pattern of the act to OhioOnline music correspondent Peanuts the other day via some traded e-mails. |
| OO: |
How about a little musical background on yourself? |
| JP: |
"My brothers originally got me interested in music. I have eight brothers and two sisters and music was always in the house when I was growing up. Invariably, the guitars would come out at family get togethers and even just regular days. My dad, Jerry Sr., is also a huge music fan and it was a Sunday afternoon tradition that he would play hymns on the organ." |
| OO: |
Were you in any famous acts before this one? |
| JP: |
"Only semi-successful band was the North American Martyrs, but they were based in Washington, D.C." |
| OO: |
Who has influenced your song writing? |
| JP: |
"My main influences have been Simon & Garfunkel, Glen Campbell, REM, the Smiths, the Pretenders, Toad The Wet Sprocket and, most recently, Shawn Mullins and Eric Shiveley." |
| OO: |
Quite a list. What do the Birdhouse Gourds sound like? |
| JP: |
"l'd call our music 21st century folk rock. It bridges 1960's type rock/pop and folk with modern alternative rock/country with a decidedly positive aspect to it. I'm not into bringing people down. There's enough of that to go around already." |
| OO: |
Who do you want to split a bill with? |
| JP: |
"Sister Hazel, Shawn Mullins, Edwin McCain, Barenaked Ladies, REM. We have opened for national artists like the Beach Boys, The Fixx and others, but also the aforementioned Sister Hazel and Shawn Mullins." |
| OO: |
Any Ohio bands on your radar at the moment? |
| JP: |
"I really like Brett Borovic from Cleveland. He opened up for us recently and I really dig his songwriting and energetic stage show." |
| OO: |
Where was "Ohio" recorded? |
| JP: |
"We did the entire project, literally every aspect of it, in my basement. You'd laugh if you saw how little gear we actually used. Unlike many modern releases, we used no audio smoke and mirrors. I mixed and mastered the whole thing myself." |
| OO: |
And I assume that was gratifying? |
| JP: |
"I really enjoyed doing the whole thing in my house and it was much cheaper doing it that way. Truth be known, audio engineering is not my strong point. I learned a lot that I will be applying to our next recording." |
| OO: |
Preferred venue in the 88 counties would be? |
| JP: |
"Our favorite to play is the Cleveland House Of Blues, as far as sound and amenities are concerned. As far as helping bands and overall support, The Winchester in Lakewood is by far the best." |
| OO: |
How did the band get its name? |
| JP: |
"I like it because it sounded very Americana to me, kind of crafty, but a little strange and mysterious, too." |
| OO: |
Any thoughts in closing? |
| JP: |
"I am actually working on a solo disc right now. It's a little more acoustic than 'Ohio' was and probably is a little deeper in terms of songwriting. I have already cut a bunch of tracks and it sounds fantastic. Everything I learned on 'Ohio' is coming in handy." |
