Bobby Birdman is creating some of the most innovative music that has passed beneath the mainstream radar lately, blending quiet electronics with guitar and voice. The Weekender had a chance to ask Rob Kieswetter, the mastermind behind Bobby Birdman, a few questions about his tour, his influences and the thriving musical community around Portland, Ore.

Weekender: Your albums sound like they’re drawing on a background of folk and ambient electronica. What sort of musicians have influenced you to craft this sort of cross-genre music?

Bobby Birdman: From those categories, the obvious influences like Neil Young, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Brian Eno … but I also grew up listening to stuff like Whodini, Michael Jackson, Tears For Fears, The Smiths, The Dead Milkmen … .

Weekender: Your albums sound like they’re drawing on a background of folk and ambient electronics. What sort of musicians have influenced you to craft this sort of cross-genre music?

Bobby Birdman: From those categories, the obvious influences like Neil Young, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Brian Eno, Terry Riley, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, but I also grew up listening to stuff like Whodini, Michael Jackson, Tears For Fears, The Smiths, The Dead Milkmen, NWA, Metallica, Slayer, Operation Ivy, Subhumans, Pink Floyd, Pavement, Will Oldham, Deerhoof, Lucky Dragons in some rough order (past to present).

W: How long have you been touring now (as in how many tours have you done)?

BB: I have been touring for a couple of years. I have done a handful of west coast tours with Little Wings, Calvin Johnson, The Badger King, ((Vrssn)), Cuspidor, Peace Harbor. I played keyboards in Bonnie “Prince” Billy for last year’s west coast tour. This is my first national.

W: So, Wilco is coming to DeKalb the week after you’re here. Wilco tours with a massive bus and tons of people who are paid to make sure everything comes off flawless. Most people think of this when they think of a touring band. Could you explain how this contrasts with your tour and the amount of personal responsibility you have being on a smaller label?

BB: We are driving in a half-ton Dodge van. I built a loft in it. Sometimes we sleep on it. We booked our own shows; we don’t get riders and stuff. We hope to make enough money at each show to pay for gas to get to the next town.

W: Is this paying the bills for you, or are you still forced (choose) to work another job when not touring; basically, what are you leaving behind while touring?

BB: Lately I have been paying the bills by teaching swimming lessons at an athletic club.

W: You’re touring with Badger King; these are friends of yours. Do you find it easier to be successful as a musician in a community full of like-minded people?

BB: I find it to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, a community of like-minded people could feasibly help one stay motivated to create, push one to produce on par with her/ his peers. I would say that this occurs in my close group of friends (such as The Invisible Family Shield, TBK, Little Wings, ((Vrssn)), Y.A.C.H.T., Panther, Mt. Erie, The Graves, Peace Harbor, The Blow, Golden Shoulders). We all push each other and help each other realize each others’ visions. On the other hand, I have found that a community of like-minded people can become stagnant and self-conscious, resulting in mediocrity. I sometimes crave isolation to save myself from such negative stimulation. I think both situations have their merit.

W: Do you feel you are successful as a musician?

BB: Sure. I love to write songs/ music, record it and drive around playing it to people. Monetarily, I suppose I have found that I get out what I put into it. The more I tour, the more money I make from music. By that, I mean I am able to put gas in the tank and food in my belly. At this point in my life, I really enjoy this gypsy lifestyle, moving from town to town, peddling my wares, meeting people. It’s real fun.

W: Badger King has played in DeKalb before and has probably represented the town to you in their own opinions. Do you have any preconceptions coming into DeKalb?

BB: Nope.

W: As far as touring, what sort of provisions do you bring with you? Are you touring solo (now I know you’re touring with Badger King; I mean are you bringing a backup band, just a computer, just a sampler, just a guitar)?

BB: On this trip, we have one guitar, two computers, three keyboards and three voices. I use some of that stuff every night, but not all of it. It changes night-to-night.

W: What sort of support is Hush records providing you to help you get yourself across the country and back? (a hardy handshake? help getting shows?)

BB: Chad at Hush has helped me on this trip by sending out some press kits to publications and radio stations.

W: Have you been well received so far on tour? Are people “getting into it”?

BB: Totally. We have had some really great shows.

W: I think I might have to ask this; what’s with the mustache, I mean I know the chicks dig it, but what’s the deal?

BB: Uh. Hair on my face just grows and grows. If I don’t shave it off, it stays on my face.

Here’s a little note for the web dept., if you’re looking for a photo to go along with this there’s a great one at http://www.hushrecords.com/bobbybirdman.html