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.

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?

Related posts:

1. Sights: Leftmore: "Knives In My Father's Eyes/Drinking with Ghosts"
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3. Blur releases “Fool’s Day” in support of Record Store Day

For all intents and purposes, Leftmore (singer/songwriter Joe Ziegler) rests solely on the shoulders of DIY . . . a fallen laurel of work ethic, miles upon miles on the road, and making a solid network of musical friends across the nation.  From the first pairing of duo Matt Shaw and Ziegler, the band consistently threw caution to the wind and wrote poetic songs that actually existed as memories from their adventures on the road.  Not many bands with this much talent as a duo can say that they had chased the dream across highways for 4 straight years and never once wanted to be signed . . . they just continued wanting an audience to play for.

Sadly, Leftmore is back down to a solo project and Ziegler soldiers on.

Full Disclosure: I have known Joe for many years  . . . since sophomore year of high school to be exact.  His drive is amazing and his talent as a songwriter and poet is second to none.  On “Knives in my Father’s Eyes” he channels the spirit of a fallen gunslinger . . . one that is not too far from Leftmore’s own aesthetic, “Grit and pride”.

Please support this band should they come through your town.

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Related posts:

1. For the Record: Leftmore’s Joe Ziegler on the road
2. Sights: Two Door Cinema Club – I Can Talk
3. Sights: “Audience of One” – Cold War Kids