Theo Katzman has been on the rise in the A2 music scene for awhile now. He was an original part of local powerhouse My Dear Disco (now Ella Riot) and has a blossoming solo career which landed him a spot on the 2011 Ann Arbor Folk Festival lineup. A recent gig at The Ark is followed by an upcoming show at the Blind Pig. Current caught up with Katzman to see what the future has in store for him and his growing cult of fans.
Already this year you’ve been quite busy, what have you been up to?
“I have a lot of new material. Basically, I’m working on an album right now which should be finished by fall. This year I was able to play the Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium. I just played at The Ark and I am real excited to get back to the Pig because it has always felt like a second home.”
How was your experience playing The Ark in March?
“Getting to The Ark was actually a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve been playing music in the area for years and it was my first headlining show there. I don’t think most people realize it, but The Ark is an internationally-renowned room. Sometimes it is taken for granted because it is a local venue, but they really have world class stuff there, so it’s awesome to become a part of that community and get on that roster.”
What is the direction of the new album you’re working on?
“It’s definitely all rhythmic; that’s a big part of what I do. This album is going to have a bunch of different things. There’s going to be some music that is live, in-studio stuff, and there’s tracks where I play all the instruments, which might be new for some people. They might not know I’m a drummer by training; that’s my first instrument and love. But on the album I play guitar, bass, drums and keys. I will also be doing some collaborations with some really great musicians from around the country. There’s going to be a wide variety of stuff and I really think it’s going to feel like a unified piece of work.”
What do you have in store for the upcoming show (May 27) at the Blind Pig?
“The show at the Pig is going to be awesome! Charlene Kaye is a great singer songwriter from New York who is a friend of mine and we are both going to be headlining the show. It’s going to be a good opportunity to check out this music and hear some of the evolution of me and my band.”
What can fans expect this summer? Will you be touring?
“This summer the playing will be pretty close to home. I will make a trip out to the east coast, but mostly just a lot of Michigan and other midwest shows. I’m really focused on recording the album and it’s always one or the other, playing or recording. Lil’ Wayne has figured out how to do both at the same time, but I haven’t.”
You can experience Theo Katzman’s work online at www.theokatzman.com or visit him on Facebook or at www.myspace.com. Also don’t miss the opportunity to see Katzman live on Friday, May 27, at the Blind Pig..jpg){kind=small}
