Patrick Phelan had only met producer Jeff Crawford a few short months before he called him up and told him he wanted to make a Luego record together. They talked it out at OCSC at least once over a round of PBRs and Wilco records. Then, they burst into action. Their introduction had been a sort of blind luck, but the hard work and heart they put into the next few months was pure intention. The resulting record, 2009’s Taped Together Stories, showed the fruits of their labor— a playful barrage of pop rock melodies and warm, folk-minded arrangements and a testament to the well-oiled working relationship between Phelan and Crawford.
Inspired by that round of recording, Phelan and an esteemed cast of revolving sidemen set off to release a follow-up, 2010’s Ocho. The album, released just six months after the first, ambles down the familiar power-pop/roots rock byways of the Luego aesthetic while showing off the subtle growth of Phelan’s songwriting. “I write songs because music means so much to me, more than anything else really,†says Phelan, “I think it makes people feel not so alone.â€
One sure fire way to not feel so alone next Saturday, December 18th, is to mosey down to the Local 506 to catch Luego along with Don Dixon and BJ Barham (of American Aquarium).
And now just the five most furious questions in faux business:
1. If your band were a holiday, which would it be?
One of the following:
April 11th, Eight Track Day. Vintage.
January 25th, Opposite Day. Officially.
Los DÃas de los Muertos in November .
2. When did you get your first guitar and what did you do with it?
My sister got a guitar when I was second grade . I played piano and we sang Joni Mitchell.  I got my own first guitar when I was 19. It was from Spain and I played Dylan songs and learned classical conciertos on Adderall.
3. Describe the pressures/pleasures of working in such a collective way (ie having a roster of possible and recurring bandmates, but no set band roster).
It is exhausting. It is a full-time job keeping the band fully staffed.  But once you reach a point, both in the level of musicianship of your collaborators/bandmates and in the level of my own confidence, Luego has tended to rock no matter what the cast, because the guys I play with are so talented and willing to believe in my message. This small pocket of a music scene feels like Nashville. Anyone will play in your band, but to find someone to be in your band is a completely different story. I accept that.
There have been many frequent fliers in Luego and now we have some amazing alumni. The most transient position has been that of the lead guitarist. That list includes Nick Jaeger, Cameron Lee, Brett Harris, and William Moose among others.  Of course Peter Holsapple has been integral in the survival and growth of Luego—he has played every instrument in Luego, even drums, and has been with me in some capacity right before I began working with Jeff Crawford. Jeff Crawford (Arbor Ridge Studios) has been my producer and closest thing to a collaborator since 2008 and has played guitar, bass, piano and organ for me, not to mention helped me arrange, add-to, and clarify my songs.
In many ways it is both fortunate and unfortunate that I don’t have a band to call my own.  On the bad side, I have no one to share my dream – or burden – with.  On the good side, if one or a few guys can’t do the gig, there are 9 other dudes who could. Sometimes in a span of two shows, you’ll see two entirely different bands that are Luego. It’s cool. It’s really not even that big of deal.
4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that would really surprise people?
- The Sartorialist Blog.
- Picasso
- California
- Ernest Hemmingway
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Gram Parsons’ Cosmic Country.
- Miranda Lee Richards
- producers Jon Brion, Ethan Johns, Brian Eno & David Byrne.
- Bruce Springsteen
5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (how ’d that turn out?)
As I kid I dreamed of being, in this order, an astronaut, a pro footballer, a pro basketball player, a Sports Center anchor, a rock star. I guess the sports dream died when I was about 15. Around that time I started going to concerts, and being really moved to the point of tears at the really good ones. Now I just wrestle with having a proper job and no sleep, or working service jobs and no sleep.
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Head to the Local 506 next Saturday, December 18th to see Luego in full force. And by all means, give Patrick a high five when you see him!