Dry Paint Signs Presents: The Next Round

Ryan Montbleau joins me for milkshakes on the sidewalk at Jimmy's Diner in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  Ryan tells his story, from coming up as a musician in Boston to recording his most recent solo record in New Orleans with greats like George Porter, Jr. and Ivan Neville.  In 2013, after a decade of performing with the Ryan Montbleau Band, two of his bandmates announced they would be leaving to focus on their families.  Before they parted ways, everyone traveled to NOLA to record Growing Light, the band's fifth album (and Ryan's ninth).  Montbleau also discusses his recent move to Brooklyn and the pros and cons of playing with ever-changing lineups.

While sipping a cocktail at the Richardson in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Christina Cone tells me that she always knew she would move to New York City post-graduation.  Since she made that decision, she's been able to make the city into her own little world, teaching piano lessons by day, and performing with her indie pop group, Frances Cone, at night.  Cone explains how boredom can fuel creativity, what it's like to date a band member, and why their self-titled EP was all about death. francesconelovesyou.com drypaintsigns.com

Jenny Owen Youngs and I hit it off over local craft beers at Threes Brewing in Brooklyn.  Having built a loyal fanbase by touring with punk rockers and performing online concerts in her apartment, Youngs explains why she used PledgeMusic to offer her fans an exclusive preorder of her latest EP, Slack Tide.  Jenny also details how she has drawn inspiration from books, The X-Files, and in the case of her ongoing song series, Exhibit, regular visits to her favorite museums. jennyowenyoungs.com drypaintsigns.com    

Howard Feibusch was supposed to go to medical school.  Over a beer at Greenpoint's Brouwerij Lane, Howard divulges why he chose a career in music instead, fronting a Brooklyn alternative rock trio that shares his first name.  The band recently released their debut LP, Religion, which touches upon Howard's Orthodox Jewish upbringing.  He explains why he's grateful to have something to rebel against and what it was like hearing rock music for the first time. listentohoward.com drypaintsigns.com

Jack Cleverly of the UK band Cymbals sits down with me in the bustling backyard of Crown Victoria in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Jack tells why he sings some songs in French, despite the fact that none of his bandmates speak the language.  He also talks about recording their EP, Sideways Sometimes, on a boat, and how his wife has influenced his music. www.cymbalsmusic.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Ben Sterling of New York pop band, Cookies, joins me for a drink beside the pinball machines of Park Slope's Owl Farm.  Having started recording in 2009, the final year of his time in Mobius Band, Sterling tells why it took until this year for Cookies' debut LP, Music for Touching, to come out, amidst a changing music industry and a changing New York City. www.cookiesltd.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Zac Colwell and Dave Heilman of Fancy Colors meet me in the Lower East Side at Whynot Coffee & Wine for some glasses of the latter.  The duo formed while both members were in indie rock outfit Jupiter One, when it became apparent that Zac was writing too many songs for one band to keep up with.  Since 2012, Fancy Colors have released an EP and two albums, including this summer's Island of the Dead.  Colwell and Heilman often perform with artists as diverse as Of Montreal, Sondre Lerche, and Nicole Atkins, and they reflect on how playing with different musicians influences them. fancycolorsmusic.com drypaintsigns.com

The Majorleans' Nicky Francis and Chris Buckle knock back some bottles with me at Mission Sound in Brooklyn, NY during the making of their album, Black Belt.  Mission is actually the fourth studio they've cut the tracks in, with the recording process ranging from a dangerous Chinese church basement to Nicky's living room.  While the guys both play guitar in the band, they explain why they wrote most of the LP's songs on drums and bass.  Their Grammy-winning engineer and co-producer, "Bassy" Bob Brockmann, has worked with everyone from Bob Dylan to the Notorious B.I.G.  He reveals what attracted him to the Majorleans, why he prefers tape to ProTools, and the story behind his nickname. themajorleans.com bassybob.com drypaintsigns.com

Kenny Vasoli has a beer with me in the backyard of Brouwerij Lane in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. While you may know him from The Starting Line, Vasoli has been making "nu-hula" tunes with his band Vacationer since 2010.  He describes how the group used audience reactions to their live set to inform the mood of their more-realized follow-up LP, Relief. He also explains how he got into Polynesian music, what it's like singing about a former love, and why he wouldn't mind being the new Jimmy Buffett. vacationermusic.com drypaintsigns.com

Dave Wakeling of the English Beat invites me onto the tour bus before a show at Brooklyn Bowl.  With songs in films like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Kingpin, and Clueless, Wakeling has seen his fanbase continue to grow long after the breakups of the Beat and General Public.  Now those fans are even able to sing on For Crying Out Loud, the first English Beat album in over 30 years.  Dave shares the stories behind a few of the new tunes and tries his hand at standup comedy. www.englishbeat.net www.drypaintsigns.com

Speak's Joey Delahoussaye and Nick Hurt join me for some witte beers in the front bar at Cameo Gallery in Williamsburg.  For their sophomore LP, Pedals, the band took every aspect of the album into their own hands, from the writing to the mixing to the artwork.  The guys discuss that lengthy process, their collaborations with RAC, and how they adapt their multi-layered sound to a live setting. www.hearspeakhere.com www.drypaintsigns.com

All four members of Miniature Tigers sip on summer ales in Dumbo, Brooklyn, as they discuss their sunkissed fourth album, Cruel Runnings.  The Tigers explain how they intended to create a classic record reminscent of their teens, and how recording the LP in Jamaica actually helped them to focus.  With the quartet scattered across the country, they also offer advice on how to keep a long-distance band together. www.miniaturetigers.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Jon Cleary left England long ago for New Orleans, and over the years, he has gained considerable acclaim as a sideman, solo artist, and bandleader of the Absolute Monster Gentlemen.  Over breakfast at White Oak in Brookyn, NY, Cleary discusses the history of NOLA funk, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the thrill of playing with a live band. www.joncleary.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith has a beer with me at One Mile House before his show at Bowery Ballroom.  Messersmith explains how the phases of his life, from his Christian upbringing to majoring in computer science to becoming a college professor have all had a role in his craft.  Jeremy also describes his demoing process and how his fourth record, Heart Murmurs, ended up with a much larger sound than his earlier albums. www.jeremymessersmith.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park sips a soda at The Globe prior to the band's gig at Gramercy Theatre. He tells the tale of why he doesn't drink before a show, and how the group collaborated with Mordue Brewery to create a beer called Maxïmo No. 5 in honor of their fifth LP, Too Much Information.  He discusses all aspects of the record, from self-production to mixing via Skype to the story behind the tongue-shaving artwork.  Smith also reveals how the band came to choose the cover songs included on the deluxe edition of the album.

Mad Caddies' trumpeter Keith Douglas drinks a few brews with me at the Whiskey Tavern in Chinatown to celebrate Dirty Rice, the band's first album in seven years. Keith reveals what they were doing on their break, and how recording in an old barn from their past helped to shape the sessions.  A self-declared food lover, Douglas also shares some of his favorite things to eat on tour, as well as an eel-filled drinking story from Germany. www.madcaddies.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Terri Nunn of Berlin has her first-ever pre-show drink before a gig at NYC's Cutting Room.  She explains how punk music opened the door for the band's electronic pop sound in the late '70s.  Despite a few battles over some suggestive content, Nunn attests to the power of MTV in its early years.  Terri also reveals how a lucky encounter with Giorgio Moroder resulted in the international #1 hit "Take My Breath Away," and how a job as a radio host inspired her to incorporate EDM into the band's latest album, Animal. www.berlinpage.com www.drypaintsigns.com  

Hollis Brown is a current rock band that makes the kind of songs you would've heard at Woodstock. Singer/guitarist Mike Montali has a beer with me to celebrate the band's latest record, Hollis Brown Gets Loaded, a Velvet Underground tribute album released as part of Record Store Day. He discusses the recent changes in their lineup, a collaboration with rapper DMC, and how a Salvador Dali painting inspired him to write lyrics in Spanish. www.hollisbrown.com www.drypaintsigns.com

Ed Williams, Michael Girardot, and Andrew Campanelli of the Revivalists throw back some brews in their (parked) van on Wythe Avenue before a concert at Brooklyn Bowl.  A renowned live act out of New Orleans, they just re-released their album City of Sound with a bonus disc of live cuts.  They share their rules for selecting a cover song, their favorite food on tour, and how a gig at a craft beer festival landed them a trip to India. therevivalists.com drypaintsigns.com

Jake Smith a.k.a. The White Buffalo pounds a beer with me in a backstage hallway at Irving Plaza in NYC.  Known for his ferocious live shows, Smith could potentially tour for eternity on his latest LP, Shadows, Greys, & Evil Ways.  A timeless concept album about the trials and tribulations of a young couple, it's been praised by fans and critics alike.  Jake tells how the songs came together to fit the story, what it's like playing onstage with his son, and why alcohol often plays a role in his tunes. thewhitebuffalo.com drypaintsigns.com