We caught up with Fred Jones for a quick follow-up interview to their recent CD review.
(Interview: January 2007, Melissa Wells)

SDP: Since “Life and Wine” is the first recorded album for the Fred Jones Band, what was it like recording together?

Fred Jones: We recorded with producer, Ryan Matteson, at Blue Room Production and the process was extremely relaxed. It was less like work and more like hanging out. At times you can’t help but focus too much on your playing and the recording process grows frustrating and laborious. If we ever felt that way we would all take a break, get some fresh air, and try again once we felt completely ready. It was a blast and a major lesson on how things should work in a studio.

Many of the songs on “Life and Wine” play background music to good times and the moments in life where you are just glad to be where you are and who you’re with. Where did the inspiration come from? Any particular moments in either of your lives which inspired the tunes?
All the songs, in general, are really positive, and think that occurred because of our own personal takes on life, love, and being. “The Weight of My Intentions” and “The Jive” are songs written with this philosophy on being content in the moment. Other songs like “Here and Now”, “La Plus Belle Fille Au Monde”, and “Entropy”, are basically extracted experiences from our lives. While the latter were written from an individual’s perspective that does not mean that it has to have this narrow and unchangeable meaning. Songs have a transcending effect to them. It means different things to different people.

How are fans and listeners taking to the new band and album?

People new to us are really receptive to the band and the album. The most common remark that we receive is how happy they get when they listen to our music, and we’ve been working really hard in bringing that to our live shows as well. All in all, fans and listeners have been positive, which is very fortunate for a new band on the scene.

In three words or less how would you describe “Life and Wine”?

Good times.

How does the future for Fred Jones look from here? Have you planned any upcoming shows locally?

The future looks extremely bright. We are set to tour up the California coast in March and we just have an amazing time playing live. We have a few local shows lined up. We’re going to be playing in Vista this Saturday and in Murrieta the next week afterwards. As for after that, we’re still booking.

Has there been any talk on record label signs in the near future for Fred Jones? Has the band been offered any contracts?

That is what we’re striving towards right now. As a band, we take music seriously. The CD and the tour we’re planning are all out of our pockets. I think that if we show record labels our diligent work ethic, our music, and press about us, they may be more willing to pick us up. As for any contracts being offered to us, that may be a long ways from now, but if there where, we wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

How long did “Life and Wine” take to produce?

“Life and Wine” took a very long time, but a lot of that was due to outside priorities like school and work. We would come into the studio about twice a week. This started in early March, and after a long downtime, ended in mid-July. If there was ever a recording problem or a scheduling conflict, we didn’t stress it because we all understood that recording and producing is a long process. We did not want the work to suffer so we only had a vague time table that we followed, more or less. 

What is your favorite song on the EP?

Ash and I (Ray) both have “The Jive” as our favorite song because of the mood it invokes. Meanwhile, Jason really likes the song “Here and Now.”

What types of fans do you think Fred Jones would most likely appeal to?

I think that Fred Jones would appeal to the average listener, young or old.

More info on Fred Jones:
www.fredjonesband.com
www.myspace.com/fredjonesband

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