By Jeff Maisey
As part of the Colley Cantina/Veer Magazine Saturday Night Live local music series, Norfolk-based alt-country band Rodeo Clown will perform Saturday, April 30.
In addition to music, great Baja California style food and craft beer, there’ll be concert tick giveaways for summer shows at the Portsmouth Pavilion.
As a preview for the show, I recently poised some questions to singer/guitarist Collyn Coates. Here’s what he had to say.
How did Rodeo Clown get its start?
I had been playing with Quang T at the time in 2000. I had been playing as a drummer in lots of different bands (including Candy Snatchers). I had always wanted to have my own thing and definitely wanted it to be in the Americana, country thing.
It started as Ginger Baby and I and Dottie & Earnest. We did that for three or four years. I switched it to Rodeo Clown in 2007. It was in that same genre but with more players – Greg Wikle, Keith Collison and Shea Roebuck.
I understand there is a new Rodeo Clown studio recording in the works. What can you share about that?
Shea is insisting we get seven songs for an EP down. Hopefully we’ll have it out within a month. It’s just going to be titled Rodeo Clown.
The songs will all be originals that I’ve written and that we play out now.
How have you seen the music scene in Norfolk change over the past 10-15 years?
I think it is getting more and more popular with publications like this participating in local music and making things happen for lots of people. I think it is growing. About ten years ago we hit a little bit of a lull, but we’re in an upswing for sure for cool local bands and a variety of acts. I’m really optimistic about Norfolk’s future as far as music goes.
A number of musicians like yourself got started in punk rock and garage rock, and then migrated over to edgy, alt-country. Why is this such a popular genre?
I think it is such a personable style. It’s about very down-to-earth experiences. It’s getting your melodies and rhythms out there without the bells and whistles. It has always been very appealing.
I was always a revved-up rock ‘n’ roll fan. But Americana is more of a human experience type thing. It’s stripped down.
Rodeo Clown has played Colley Cantina on several occasions. From a musician and audience standpoint, what makes this such a great way to experience local music?
It’s always been the best for me to watch a band in a small venue like that. What’s cool is that everybody is approachable. Everybody’s at the same table, kinda. It’s comfort in playing.
