GREG REESE
Arts Writer

“I’m total folk musician. My granddaddy taught me how to play guitar; his dad taught him how to play guitar. So, I’m a folkie,” said Vic Chesnutt from his home in Athens, Ga., a legendary city for alternative rock and folk music since the 1980s.

Vic Chesnutt has been a major contributor to that scene ever since Michael Stipe of R.E.M. saw Chesnutt play and decided to produce his first record.

Chesnutt will soon tour Canada supporting his new album At The Cut. His band (which has played with him on the last two records) comprises members of A Silver Mount Zion, God Speed You! Black Emperor and Guy Picciotto of Fugazi fame.

Chesnutt’s music has an honesty and power rarely encountered in modern music. Speaking on the phone, he had a striking presence and a sincerity that, in a peculiar way, fit the profundity of his music.

The Sheaf: Where are you guys at right now in your tour?
Vic Chesnutt: I am home in Athens. We have a few days off; everyone went home. We just played in Toronto.

Sheaf: How did you hook up with A Silver Mount Zion and Guy Picciotto?
Chesnutt: That was all Jem Cohen’s idea. Jem Cohen is a famous filmmaker. You should Google him. He is a friend of mine and he produced my last album North Star Deserter. Then (the band) continued because we fell in love.

“The Replacements were the best. I never got to see them; I couldn’t afford to see them, so I sat outside and listened through the crack in the door. A true inspiration.”
-Vic Chesnutt

Most of the band is based out of Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, New York and Montreal — a very international group. It’s the best band ever! It really is. It’s a rock and roll all-star band. It will fucking rule!

Sheaf: The mini-biography on your website makes you seem like an autodidact. Is that true?
Chesnutt: Yes, absolutely. I didn’t make it very far in school. And I didn’t make it far in school because I got sidetracked by rock ‘n’ roll. Yes, self-taught.

Sheaf: There is a painfully honest quality to your songs. Do they become easier to sing as the tour goes on or does it remain difficult?
Chesnutt: It’s heart wrenching most nights, and that’s thrilling. It’s a thrilling thing to be so emotional in front of all these people — kick their asses! It’s a thrilling thing.

Sheaf: Michael Stipe recorded your first album. How was that experience?
Chesnutt: That’s true. Michael Stipe produced the first two and sang on the fourth. He is my friend and mentor. He discovered me, I guess you would say.

As a producer he was the guy who ordered the pizza. He did some producing on that record. He did a lot of producing, actually. He is a great producer. West of Rome is pretty amazing. The strings are great; it’s just my two nieces on there. Michael Stipe did a good job. He played keyboards and clarinet, he played organ.

Sheaf: Are you a John Fante fan? Why was your second album called West of Rome?
Chesnutt: The centerpiece of that album is a song called “West of Rome” and that song is reference to the John Fante book West of Rome.

Sheaf: You’re a big Replacements fan too. When did you first hear those guys?
Chesnutt: I love the Replacements. I thought they were amazing. They were the best. I never got to see them; I couldn’t afford to see them, so I sat outside and listened through the crack in the door. A true inspiration.

I knew — as crazy as I was — I didn’t want to be as big of an asshole as they were, but they were a morality play for me. I loved Westerberg’s music in those days. He is an inspiration now, but I don’t want to be an asshole like he was.

Sheaf: Have you toured Saskatchewan before?
Chesnutt: Have I ever been there? Hmm, seems like I played at a folk festival there where the Saskatoon berries are. I played through Canada somewhat and I am looking forward to it again with all of this.

Vic Chessnut plays at Amigos on Nov 21

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photo: Sandlin Gaither