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Written by Demi Marshall
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Derek Spaldo recently dropped his latest album Useful Songs. Originally from Rutherford, NJ, Derek was a longtime member of the psychedelic rock band Garcia Peoples. He toured nationally with them from 2017-22, playing on multiple albums that received critical acclaim from Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. Since making his own music, the genre lands somewhere in the alt/indie/lo-fi rock world. In this interview, Derek discusses his most memorable show, musical influences, and upcomig projects.
Tell us about your latest release Useful Songs. What topics or ideas does it explore?
Useful Songs was recorded between 2020-2021. I played all of the instruments on the album, as is typical of my solo projects. Thematically, the songs explore topics such as mental health and healing, coping with worldly struggles, while attempting to develop a grounded emotional center.
How would you describe your current sound? Which of your songs would you
recommend to first time listeners?
My sound varies from project to project. I would describe the sound of Useful Songs as lo-fi alternative rock, with some psychedelic flairs. I would recommend “There’s Always Something,” the first song on the album.
What does your process look like when writing/creating music?
Typically, I write on acoustic guitar. I generate a lot of material from noodling or improvisation. I try to document fragments of musical ideas on my phone, and I tend to sit with guitar parts or chord progressions for a while until I find a melody or lyric that emerges from the mood or vibe of the music. With lyrics, I tend to follow whatever comes intuitively. I place a lot of importance on writing words that feel authentic
emotionally. I like writing songs that are personal, but also, by being so candid,
my hope is that the listener might find something that resonates with them.
Tell us about your experience with the Chicago music scene. How would you
describe it? What are the best parts about it?
I feel like I’m just starting to get my bearings in the scene. I made a goal this year to put myself out there more and meet new people who are working in the scene. I would say that I really resonate with the DIY ethic in Chicago. I’ve found that the musicians I’ve met are very welcoming and want to build community. One of my favorite things about Chicago is the local guitar shops - I happen to live close to Chicago Music Exchange, Rock N Roll Vintage, and the Old Town School of Folk Music. Going to those shops makes me feel like a kid in a candy store.
What was the most memorable show you’ve played, and what was great about
it?
I was a long-time member of the band Garcia Peoples, who are New York- based - they are dear friends of mine. We had played in Chicago several times on tour over the years. But one of the most memorable shows was at Schuba’s back in October 2021. Touring during the pandemic was stressful and strange. Turnouts were a bit low, and this particular tour felt like more of a slog than usual. However, we had an amazing, packed audience on this night at Schuba’s. We were playing very much in sync with each other. There was a buzzing, excitable energy in the crowd. During such a tenuous time of the pandemic, this performance felt cathartic. I felt like I was channeling a lot of complex emotions into my guitar playing during some of the improvisations we did, ultimately finding a sense of joy in the process.
Do you have any pre-show rituals? How do you relax or celebrate after a live
show?
I’m very intentional about my pre-show rituals. Sound check has become a major part of my pre-show ritual. Over the years, I’ve learned to ask what I need from the sound engineer so that we can get a good monitor mix so that I feel comfortable on stage. I’m very particular about having clear and present vocals in the monitor mix. Having a good meal is also very necessary for me before a show. After the show, I love to talk with the other performers, talk to people in the audience, or greet and thank friends that have attended.
If you could get any artists to tour with you, dead or alive, who would be on the
bill?
It would be the highlight of my life to open for Superwolves (Will Oldham and Matt Sweeney’s duo). Sweeney’s guitar playing is massively inspiring, and I’ve found Oldham’s lyrics/vocals to be a touchstone throughout my life.
What artists did you grow up listening to? Do they influence your music today, or
did you branch to different styles?
As a kid, I gravitated towards alternative rock, grunge, indie-rock: bands like Modest Mouse, Nirvana. I was obsessed (and still adore) The Beatles. But the most significant influence on my musicianship was Neil Young. One of my best friends introduced me to his music when I was in high school and it completely changed my perspective on what rock music could be. The first Neil Young album I ever heard was an obscure one - Reactor. I really resonate with Neil Young’s versatility, going between the stripped-down, acoustic folk that he is famous for, while also having the raucous, off-the-cuff distorted rock that he is also known for with Crazy Horse. Two of my favorite albums by Neil Young are Ragged Glory and Psychedelic Pill: both feature extended jams and beautifully searing guitar leads. I would definitely say that Neil Young remains a major influence on me to this day!
What is your favorite venue to play and why? What is one venue you dream of
playing one day?
One of my favorite venues in Chicago was the now-closed Golden Dagger. Since 2022, I’ve been playing solo shows, accompanying myself on acoustic guitar. I loved the intimacy of Golden Dagger, the sound was excellent, and I felt that audiences there really gave their respect and attention to the performers. I’m trying to attend more shows and check out more venues in the city. I would love to play at Color Club or The Hideout one day.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I have another release in the works! The album is called Voice and Guitar and I am extremely proud of it. The songs are primarily sparsely arranged around my vocal and guitar playing, though the arrangements of the songs flourished during the recording process. I played all the instruments and added bass, keyboards, and drums. The songs were written between 2022-2023. Voice and Guitar was recorded at Untold Stories
Recordings in Pilsen, and my collaboration with the engineer/owner of the studio,
Ian Fell, definitely informed how the performances on the album came to life.
Tracking is all finished on this project, so the next step is mixing and mastering.
Keep up with Derek Spaldo:
Stream Useful Songs:
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