Geof Morris: Andy, what are you up to these days? Andrew Osenga: Right now, I'm working in the studio producing a guy named Chris Mason. It's his second record, and we're doing it here at the Velvet Eagle, and it's turning out great. He's got some pictures up on his website www.chrismasonmusic.com there are a few of Garett up there, since he played drums on some of it. Geof Morris: The "Velvet Eagle" ... is that your basement? Andrew Osenga: Yeah, that's my studio, in our basement. When we bought our house it had a big, ugly eagle above the front door, now it hangs in between my speakers. Geof Morris: Awesome. Sounds fun. Geof Morris: Our first question goes to Roscoe. Yo Andy, its Ross here. Do you plan on playing anymore of your solo stuff on the upcoming tour with CC and Jars like you did in Atlanta a few weeks ago? Andrew Osenga: I'm hoping to. It's mainly up to Cliff. I think it might happen, either me solo, or the band learning a song or two of mine. We'll be switching around the stage setup again somewhat, we're not sure exactly how yet, but I'll be a bit more up front. Geof Morris: CC doing Vegas would be ... interesting. Geof Morris: Next is Steve Andy, this is Steve from Columbus, Ohio, I know you'd said something about a fall solo tour, any dates or locations yet? By the way, you rock! Andrew Osenga: yeah, Steve, I actually combined my tour with Andrew Peterson's. It will be about fifteen shows or so this September. I'll play for a while, then I'll join Andy for his set. Should be a lot of fun. Hope to see you there. Geof Morris: Go, Joe. I know you have questions, even though you see lots of Andy [not like I'm jealous or something]. Joe Bassett: hey andy, a lot of people want to know if you'll be doing a new normals record soon * Joe tosses a biscuit to Geof Andrew Osenga: Ee're not sure. We really want to. Cason and I have been working on a project, recently, hopefully to come out early next year. Geof Morris: Hey ... I thought you weren't going to talk about that! Andrew Osenga: Mark is doing some work in my studio next month, and that may turn into the Normals record we've been wanting to do. B.J. and Mike just live a few states away now, and that makes it a little tricky. Joe Bassett: Cason Whooley? Geof Morris: Yeah, that Cason guy needs to learn Joe's name, since he produced Joe's album. Andrew Osenga: Cason COOLEY. He's doing Chris Mason's record with me, as well. Joe Bassett: CO-engineered LOL Geof Morris: What was your favorite thing about the tour with Caedmon's and Jars, Andy? Andrew Osenga: It was pretty fun to be back on the road, and on such a big tour. I really loved getting to know the CC guys a lot better. Just becoming a part of what they've had going on for so long. It was intimidating at first, but after kind of catching the vision and jumping it, I have really enjoyed being a part of it. Plus, I had a guitar tech, and that ruled. Hey, where is JP from in NC? Geof Morris: He goes to Gardner Webb. [We then tried to get Jamie to respond to Andy.] Tell the man, Jamie! [He was out to lunch ...] Earth to JP ... Joe Bassett: He's probably in the bathroom. lol Andrew Osenga: Gotcha, Gardner-Webb. Cool. Geof Morris: Jeremy Goss ... you're up. Sweet. Hi Andy. I mostly play acoustic guitars. Been thinking about picking up an electric. Got any favorite axe's you'd recommend? Andrew Osenga: yeah, I'd recommend a Tele if you're coming from acoustic. Generally, at first you'll tend to play a lot harder, and a Les Paul or something like it would just sound muddy, and anything cleaner, strat-style, would just be high-end obnoxious. Those telecasters will take a beating, stay in tune, and sound great all the time. Plus, they just look rad. Then you might want to throw on a few pedals. I'd start with an MXR DynaComp, an Ibanez TubeScreamer, and a delay pedal. Good starting point. Sweet. I'll check them out at the local shops. Geof Morris: Go, Gary. Hey Andy.. Would you share what you have learned about relationships/love now that you have been married for a year? Andrew Osenga: Well, it has been a huge learning experience. The biggest thing I have learned is that you have to keep working at it. When I get into my projects, or get tired of some problem we're having and pull back a bit, it gets way harder. When I'm continually working at it, pursuing her, and taking the time to be together, it has generally been much better. I'm just a big jerk. Geof Morris: Andy, you once told me that "Beautiful Girl" was about that wife of yours. [Hi, Alison!] What changed? Andrew Osenga: I wrote that song before we started dating, thinking she wasn't the one for me, and I was a big jerk for leading her on. I recorded it late one night, while working at a studio with a few friends. The next day we started dating. Geof Morris: D'oh! Andrew Osenga: I was wrong, but I thought the song was still pretty good, so I put it on the record. That's actually the recording from that night. I was feeling it then, you know, and that was one of the only times I've ever played it, before or since. Oh, Alison's here with me, and she says hi to everybody. Joe Bassett: Hi alison [At this point, Bryan "I'm a dad, my wife is out with her friends, don't you say two words to me about being late, Foeg!" Allain showed up.] Bryan Allain: Kids are tucked in, Dad's tuckered out...but I made it...hey Andy...hey everyone * Joe tosses a biscuit at Bryan... for Megan Andrew Osenga: Sorry I type so much. Geof Morris: That's cool Geof Morris: Gary Hampson again ... tour question Are the tour dates with Andy Peterson finalized? Any up North? NJ?? and thanks for doing this! We appreciate it Andrew Osenga: Pretty finalized. All the dates are listed on his site www.andrew-peterson.com but, I'm sure we could make something work if we got another good offer in. Geof Morris: Mike, you're up Hey, Andy. I just got Photographs last week and I LOVE it. Any chance of a show in the Boston/New England area? (Sorry if this is redundant.) Andrew Osenga: Thanks so much, Mike, glad to hear it... Probably the best bet of a show would be the CC/Jars tour Geof Morris: Who is setting up that tour ... Andrew's people? That way we can get people in touch with people. Andrew Osenga: Yeah, Andrew's booking, or Christie Bragg. Geof Morris: Cool Andrew Osenga: We made some cookies tonight, if anybody wants one... Joe Bassett: hahaha Geof Morris: Mmmmmm ... I'll be there in two hours :D Geof Morris: Go, Stephanie. Hey Andy, it's Stephanie from San Antonio ('member me?) Andrew Osenga: hey, what's up? I just wondered if you enjoyed the small, quiet coffeehouse solo gigs more than the big, loud tour gigs with a band... or vice versa ... and working w/Chris Mason-- rocks tha hizzouse., fo shizzle. Andrew Osenga: I like them all. Probably because I get to do both. If all I did were big shows with somebody else, I'd get bored and want to do something else, and vice versa, and with the studio, I'm always doing something fun and new. And yeah, Chris does rock the hizzouse. I'll tell him you said that. Geof Morris: Steve is up next Andy, who is the boy on the Photographs cover (not you but the other guy)? How is the iBook? What kind of cookies do you like? And I wanna thank you for doing this too. Andrew Osenga: Wow, well, the little guy on the cover is the photographer's son, Clayton. His dad, Allen Clark, shot the last two Normals records as well, and my wedding, so we had a lot of fun that day. And [the cookies are] chocolate chip. And you're very welcome, thanks for coming. [Apropos of nothing whatsoever, other than to annoy Geof, maybe, Andy broke out with a Mac evangelism moment ...] Andrew Osenga: The Ibook is the single greatest invention of the 1900s, my friend. Unless it came out in 2000. Then it's not, and the G5 just came out, so I guess it's no big deal, but I sure love it. Geof Morris: *cough* Mac Geek *cough* Geof Morris: Go, Ross Hey Andy, I live in Tuscaloosa, AL. Short 3 hours to Nashvegas...can I have some cookies if I come up? man I love those jokers Andrew Osenga: well, we've only got about eight left, and they might not last three hours. So you'll have to hurry. why are cookies jokers? I'm lost Geof Morris: Who makes the cookies at the Osenga house? Andrew Osenga: We made them together, out of a tube. We were bonding. Geof Morris: I need a spoon ... Joe Bassett: Grab one for me Geof Morris: Next is Jeremy Goss again I read Roaring Lambs and started Charlie Peacock's book based on some of your old recommendatins in one of The Normals CD's. Have any new book recommendations? Andrew Osenga: Oh yeah, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and the unabrdidged version. The best part is the part about the priest before the story, and the abridged versions, even start. Also, The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck. Brilliant. For some theology, the best book I've read in the past few years is Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton. Literally, couldn't recommend it high enough. Geof Morris: You like fiction or non-fiction? Andrew Osenga: Mostly fiction, I get lost in numbers and arguments. Stories tend to make the same points in ways I both understand and remember far better. But, yeah, go read Orthodoxy, especially the chapter on Paradoxes and Christianity. Truly unbelievable. Geof Morris: Go ahead, Mr. Allain Bryan Allain: Thank you Mr. Morris Bryan Allain: Hey Andy, its Bryan Andrew Osenga: hello there Bryan Allain: Since this is a chat hosted by caedmonscall.net, how about some light CC questions Andrew Osenga: That's what I'm here for Bryan Allain: Stuff that can get you in trouble with the band members...that's what we're here for * Geof chants, "We want dirt! We want dirt!" Andrew Osenga: Amen, bring it on. Bryan Allain: So you spent extended time with them on the road. Who was the most different than what you thought going in and why? Andrew Osenga: Probably Jeff or Cliff. Bryan Allain: Do expound. Andrew Osenga: Jeff is a lot more open and fun than I thougth beforehand. He's such a blast, and really helpful, and I didn't know that about him And Cliff is very different than I thought. He's brilliant, a genius, you just have to wait long enough for him to remember you asked a question, his answer will always be great. He just has a great vision and great ideas, and it's exciting to be around him. Bryan Allain: Cool Andrew Osenga: That's the kind of stuff you don't see when he's rambling on-stage or forgetting to bring a guitar to a show or something. Bryan Allain: Which band member would make the worst roommate? and why Andrew Osenga: Well, Jeff farts a lot. And Danielle's a married woman, so that would probably be a little awkward. Bryan Allain: Yeah, good call. Geof Morris: Go, JP Bryan Allain: Dude U had more :( Bryan Allain: Shunned by the Tyrant :) Bryan Allain: go ahead JP Hey Andy, sorry about earlier....I had a mandatory dorm meeting. Man, everyone loves the shirt that you signed...everyone thinks your asian. I'm from Winston-Salem, NC. yep that answers your question. Now a question for you... you said in atlanta you make up songs about people. Is that how the majority of the writing takes place for you, or is there a lot of personal experience poured into your songs. (knowing the answer is both, but still curious). Andrew Osenga: Well, it is both, and my wife thinks I'm Asian too. But I kind of go in spurts. Usually every song for two months is made up, then the next two months they're all real. Pretty much I just feel like I've done all I can do with one type of song, so I try to write another. Geof Morris: Yeah ... is Osenga a Japanese name? Funny, you look European to me ... Andrew Osenga: Yeah, it's Dutch actually, so this Amsterdam server is somewhat appropriate. Truthfully, the name means "monkey" in Dutch. Geof Morris: Go, Stephanie Hey Andy, Steph again-- we'd love to have you for some solo shows here in Tay-hoss (thanks to dave barnes for that lovely interpretation of my home state)... any chance that'll happen soon? Andrew Osenga: I know CC has a few shows there the next few months, and I'll probably do some songs in some of those shows. If you want to invite me down, we can try to make it work out. Just shoot me an e-mail. Geof Morris: What does an Andy O solo show cost? Ballpark: millions? Joe Bassett: Will you play for cookies? Bryan Allain: I heard he once played for a loaf of bread, 6 cookies, and a beatup Subaru Andrew Osenga: Well, it depends on the show, where it is, where I'm coming from, going to, with or without a band, etc... So ballpark, more than cookies, well under a million... Geof Morris: Nice to bracket that Andrew Osenga: Now, a beatup Volvo and we'll talk. Geof Morris: Beat up Volvo ... got it Geof Morris: Bryan, you had more questions? Bryan Allain: Andy, which member of CC (excluding yourself) do you see being the most 'successful' in music 10 years from now? Andrew Osenga: Well, probably Josh. Or Cliff. Josh will do all the work and Cliff will get paid for it! Bryan Allain: haha Geof Morris: :shock: Andrew Osenga: But Josh is really a great musician and it's awesome to watch, because he's obviously just starting. Bryan Allain: Here's another one we got through email... Bryan Allain: "Andy, what's ailing norman?" Andrew Osenga: I plead the fifth. Please! Bryan Allain: Ok more seriously, where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you hope to still be making music for a living? Andrew Osenga: Yeah, I hope to. Ideally I'll either be doing a mainstream solo thing, or producing records, Ideally a mixture of both. Guess I'm an idealist. Geof Morris: How much did it pain you to work with this Joe Bassett dork, Andy? Joe Bassett: haha Andrew Osenga: Not too bad, Geof, but I haven't brought up that one mandolin and brought down that one vocal for him, yet, so he has every right to hate me. Geof Morris: -chuckle- Joe Bassett: Hahaha... I still love you... for now Andrew Osenga: Any day now, I swear! Geof Morris: Last question. If I made up a T-shirt that had a burning ForeFront Records logo on there ... and it ended up on your doorstep ... would you wear it? Apropos of nothing at all, of course. :D Andrew Osenga: With pride, and a perverse pleasure. Geof Morris: Exxxxxxcellent. Andrew Osenga: Nice Geof Morris: Well, Andrew, I want to thank you for doing this for us. It's been fun ... we'll have to catch up with you again in a few months. Bryan Allain: Yes, thanks for taking the time out to do this. Andrew Osenga: Yeah, thanks it's been fun. Now I'm officially in the band, right? I've done a CCnet chat! Joe Bassett: And survived! Geof Morris: I'll carry Cliff a transcript on Friday Bryan Allain: Tell Cliff that you now have our blessing Andrew Osenga: Thanks, that's funny Geof Morris: Thanks to everyone for coming out. Bryan Allain: Though ultimately I suppose its christie's decision Bryan Allain: ;) * Geof claps hand over his mouth Andrew Osenga: Well, I'll see you guys around soon, and by the way, my new website will be up next week, with new songs and all, so please plug it and check it out. Joe Bassett: Thanks for hanging out andrew! Andrew Osenga: She'll get a kick out of that. See you guys. Bryan Allain: thanks for coming dotnetters and dotnettees