Don McCloskey is a unique, extremely talented musician who has earned accolades from the same New York music scene that brought about the likes of Beck and Regina Spektor. Yet the anti-folk artists' roots also trace back to Fordham, where McCloskey was a student 10 years ago. Despite the recent release of his new record, Northern Liberties, and a busy tour schedule, Don took some time to sit down for an interview for The Ram.
The Ram: To start off, in any way did Fordham contribute to your musical career?
Don McCloskey: Yeah, I was in my first band, Mothr Bacchus, at Fordham. We played our first show in Pugsley's basement. We were horrible in retrospect but absolutely brilliant in the moment. The place was packed. Sal was delighted. We got paid 20 bucks and free pizza.
TR: What was the sound of the band? And influences?
DM: It was singer-songwriter rock. Most of the guys were into REM, so we sounded a bit like them. I was into the Beatles and Beck, so my songs kind of stuck out for a while.
TR: Did you play a lot on campus? Gain any sort of following?
DM: Yeah we had a great following at school. We were not liked by the administration for some reason. They didn't like us, but the students did. We played a lot of campus events and at all of the bars. We also headed into the city and played CBGB's and the Elbow Room.
TR: Who else besides Beck and the Beatles influenced you growing up?
DM: Early on, it was all about my parents' records. My mom loved everything from Motown, like the Temptations and the Supremes, to 70s singer-songwriters, like Paul Simon, John James Taylor, Bob Dylan and Neil Young.
My Dad was into the [Grateful] Dead, [Black] Sabbath and Jethro Tull, so I listened to all of that. There was also a lot of Irish folk music growing up, which influenced me a lot and still does today.
TR: Who would you say has most influenced your music? Because I don't sense much Grateful Dead in your sound.
DM: Well, the Dead were definitely heavily influenced by American folk and country and then took it to an improvisational rock place. This goes on a bit at my live shows, but certainly not on the records. I feel like every record I've ever listened to, every songwriter I've ever studied, every show I've ever seen, every player I've ever played with has influenced me
TR: When I look at other current musicians, I don't feel their sound is as diverse as yours. Is that something you strive for?
DM: I don't really strive for diversity in my writing. If it happens though, I don't try to curb it.
TR: You've received a lot of acclaim for your writing. Would you describe that as your best attribute?
DM: It's hard to say. I consider what I do just one thing: the writing, the playing and the performing. I can't say what I am greatest at, but I can say what I enjoy most - all of it.
TR: Would it be fair to say you're very political in regards to your writing,?
DM: I think the word "political" is misleading because it implies that I'm hoping for some political outcome from writing my songs. That isn't the case. I do, however, believe that it's impossible for me to not to write without talking about the state of affairs and the way I see it.
TR: When you sit down to write, do you look to write about a specific topic or does it just come to you?
DM: It just comes. You can't write about something if it's not there. Sometimes it wakes me up at night; sometimes it interrupts me in the middle of a conversation or when I'm driving. Every once in a while it actually comes when I'm playing guitar.
TR: You contributed music for Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Was there a specific reason for that?
DM: Yes, I was working as a production assistant and research assistant, and they needed lyrics for a mock-up song they were doing. They all knew I was a songwriter so they asked me to take a crack at it. It took only a lunch break. I whipped up five verses and a chorus. They were very excited and ended up using half a verse.
TR: But you weren't hoping for a political outcome from the song, right?
DM: The true story is funnier than anything else. Club owners in Philly nominated me. Then fans voted on it. I didn't even know when the ceremony was, but the club owners went and accepted the award on my behalf. But yes, it definitely felt good to know that my fans showed up in big numbers to support and put me over the edge
TR: Has it impacted your career?
DM: It has for sure, especially in Philadelphia. I have a great following of dedicated fans there. Two of the biggest radio stations in Philly play singles off Northern Liberties in regular rotation. All of this is due to the exposure I've had down there from things like the Philly Music Awards.
TR: Speaking of Northern Liberties, you released it entirely independently. What were your experiences with that? What did you gain from that?
DM: I've done everything in my career completely independently and I'm proud of that. It's meant that I've been able to maintain complete creative control of my music, and that's the greatest part of it.
TR: You recently put together a new band and have described them as "superstars"?
DM: Yes, they're all session guys from Philly who can play a wide range of musical styles. They can handle all the material and bring something authentic to it.
TR: How about some quick question and answers?
DM: Do it up…
TR: Best concert you've seen?
DM: Radiohead, during their OK Computer tour at the Wiltern in L.A. I snuck in and got to meet Michael Stipe of REM.
TR: Best concert experience (one in which you played in)?
DM: Opening for G. Love at the Vogue in Indianapolis.
TR: Would that also go under the category of best artist you've ever played with?
DM: That's a hard one. I'd probably have to think about, but the short answer would be G. He's a killer harp and bluesman and he puts on a party.
TR: What's the last album you purchased?
DM: Artic Monkeys' Favourite Worst Nightmare, and The Clash's Combat Rock. The latter one because of a scratch.
TR: What are your opinions on the whole music downloading controversy?
DM: My opinion is music is free. You can't steal music. I encourage people to download and burn. Eventually the record companies will figure out a way to make money off of it again. But for now it's a glorious time for people who love all kinds of music to listen to it and share it and enjoy it.
TR: What are you hoping to accomplish in your future?
DM: I would like to eradicate world poverty, feed the sick, cure the hungry, and end the struggles in Middle East. [Laughs.]
TR: Wow, that's certainly original.
DM: Music isn't really goal-oriented, which is what's great about it. But I'd consider it an accomplishment if I could continue playing music and find an audience that appreciates it as much as I do. I'm planning big things in the future. Big things, but I don't know if the readers of The Ram can handle it. And you can print that. And I'd also like to come back and play at Fordham in the near future.
Fordham has produced some notable stars, including Denzel Washington and Mary Higgins Clark. Don McCloskey just may be the next.
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