For the Record: Leftmore’s Joe Ziegler on the road

Joe Ziegler is a one man militia. Besides sharing initials with hip-hop royalty (think about it), Ziegler is constantly treading new ground on a never-ending tour cycle through America. The enigmatic traveler is also affectionately known as Leftmore, the acoustic wordsmith that crafts enticing lyrical prose over the most melodic and catchy of strumming. For a second you’d swear you were listening to radio pop, until you realize the words are oh so much more.

Leftmore began as a duo, including Ziegler’s musical confidente, Matthew Shaw. What began as a team effort, however, has dwindled down to a solo mission, as Shaw left amicably to pursue other endeavors. Joe soldiers on and Leftmore continues to pick up steam and grow in the underground network of local musicians across the country.

I was able to catch Joe, sans underpants, in an off-moment when he was watching curling . . . the second greatest thing that Canada has graced sports with.

BRQ: First off, where are you right now?

JZ: I’m sitting at my friend’s place in Nashville, watching the USA against Russia in Women’s Curling. I’m not wearing underwear.

How many cities are you hitting on your current tour?

JZ: I’ve got 24 shows in 23 cities on this trip.

Now that you’re a solo singer/songwriter, how has songwriting changed for you?

JZ: Songwriting hasn’t changed a whole lot since I started going solo. Most of the songs we wrote were written before I took them to Matt. He would add to what I would write, but we only wrote a few songs together. It was a consideration for his leaving; he wanted to be more active in the writing. It was always like that though, one of us would write a song and the other would add to it. The only real difference is that I have to write knowing that I’ll PERFORM it solo. I can’t rely on anyone to fill slow spots or make a blase guitar part more interesting. That and, until I figure out how to throat-sing, I can’t really do a lot of the harmonies we grew to be known by.

What’s the general idea for the new album? Any themes?

JZ: I’ve recently been working through a bout of heartbreak and so a lot of the new songs are geared toward my recuperation and mental well-being. With that and with Matt leaving, I’ve felt a little deserted by some of my best friends. I don’t know if there’s a theme going with all of it…I’ll have to record and listen to it altogether to know, but it won’t be called “808s and Heartbreak”. I ruled that out last week, when I realized I’ve never been to Hawai’i. Now, with my feelings of abandonment from a few anchors in my life, I’ve also been reminded that there are SO many good people who have helped me realize that I’m still doin’ alright (besides, there’s so much shit going on right now in the world that’s bigger than all of us…I can’t fathom being too selfish right now). Smile…it’s not that bad.

You’re a fairly literate guy . . . what’re you reading right now (Or what have you read lately)?

JZ: I did a LOT of reading this past break. While I’m on tour, especially since I’m already booking the next one from the road, I don’t have much reading time. I read “The Gum Thief” by Douglas Coupland, “Dubliners” by James Joyce, and “Geek Love” by Iris Bahr in January. “The Gum Thief” was clever…almost like a Chuck Palahniuk version of “A Confederacy of Dunces”, “Dubliners” was incredible. I expected a really dry, old-fashioned English snoozer; instead, I found it to be very intelligent and descriptive. I mean, it IS Joyce. I’ve got “Big Sur” and “Songs of Innocence and Experience” (a collection of William Blake’s poems) in my car now.

What’ve you been listening to lately?

JZ: I don’t really listen to a lot of new stuff…sorta weird, and unintentional. I refell in love with Bright Eyes’s Digital Ash in a Digital Urn album on this tour, though. The Weakerthans are amazing. I gotta say that. If I were to pick a soundtrack to this tour, it’d be Reconstruction Site. They’re an older, Canadian band that everyone should hear. And, when my iPod dies, I have had a good time tuning into NPR which has surprised me!

What’s your favorite venue in Denver?

JZ: So far for playing, Meadowlark Bar always treats me really well and I enjoy it every time. Playing at the Bluebird was really special though, too. I’d love to play at Cervantes or the Marquis soon because I’ve had some of the best nights of my life there.

Favorite place in Denver? Late Night food fest?

JZ: I’m not a huge bar guy…so I’d say at friend’s places around town! As far as bars go though, Sing Sing is a blast. I dig a few other small places…but I don’t really know a lot of bars around downtown! I’m a super-fan of drinking with friends over going out to a bar. Get me a bottle and good people to hang out with and I’m set. And, Denver Diner. Or Pete’s. Find me a good burrito on the street and some hot sauce to go and I’m ready to go back to the house and finish that bottle.

Any bands you’re playing with right now that we absolutely have to know about?

JZ: I just played the other night with a band from Huntsville, AL called Eyes Around. I’m going to play tomorrow with Steve from Somebody and the Somethings…who I think could be super.

Anything else you wanna say for yourself?

JZ: I’m just continually thankful for everyone being so supportive of me. It’s hard to feel alone or like I’m doing this by myself when everyone is such a big part of what I do. Thank you everyone! Please be in touch and let’s get that bottle I was talking about sometime soon!

Later this same night, Joe emphatically texted me two or three times over at 3am to make sure we all know about Parallax from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joe had just finished playing with these guys and wanted to make sure the world knew. “I just played with the band that people have to know . . . PARALLAX FROM MNPLS. AMAZING!”
Make sure you check out Leftmore when Joe makes a stroll through your city. Keep updated with Leftmore’s Myspace page for some new tracks to wet your whistle with.

Leftmore Live

Upcoming Shows

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Feb 22 2010

7:00P

Serda’s Coffee

Mobile, Alabama

Feb 23 2010

9:00P

Dragon’s Den w/LOREN MURRELL and CHRIS REHM

New Orleans, Louisiana

Feb 24 2010