“Fences is something new for our band Bombadil. It is more than just an album; it is a new path, a reset after several challenging years. The path began in January 2015, when a longtime member of Bombadil unexpectedly left our band. Daniel Michalak and I sat down to discuss our next steps. It was a time for soul searching. A duo of a bassist and drummer did not feel like a band. Moving forward seemed daunting, but we both felt like there was more to say with the band. We wanted to make music. So we began simply by making some. Writing and recording the Still Bombadil EP was fun. A fast and dirty exploration of a creative idea, no room for fiddling, deadline looming. Our last album, Hold On, had not been like that. It had been an ordeal.“

Bombadil is a folk rock pop trio from North Carolina who will be swinging through Pittsburgh this Wednesday (11/15) supporting their latest release via Ramseur Records entitled Fences. Opening up for the band at the always cool Snake Hill will be local duo and blog faves Scott & Rosanna. I want to thank James Phillips (Percussion/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

• The first album you ever bought?
• Green Day’s Dookie.
• Your last album bought?
• Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s The Kid.
• Favorite album of all time?
• Paul McCartney’s Ram.
• Least favorite/most disappointing album?
• I have a copy of the White Album on vinyl that skips a lot, which is super disappointing because it’s one of
  my favorites.
• First concert attended?
• 1998 HFStival – Highlights were Green Day, Foo Fighters, Everclear and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
• Last concert?
• The Courtneys.
• Favorite concert ever?
• Sufjan Stevens on the “Carrie & Lowell” tour.
• Least favorite concert?
• Once we played an outdoor show in NC and it was 102 out and we were in direct sun. My synthesizer went out of tune because of the heat. I’d say that was definitely my least favorite.
• Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
• My favorite memory of Pittsburgh was visiting the giant rubber duck that was moored in the river. I’ve also enjoyed many a fish sandwich. Also, my dad spent his early years there, so I like to walk around and think about him as a wee tyke.
• Thanks, Daniel. Ahhh… the big rubber duck. The entire city absolutely wigged out over that thing. I have to say, the artist Florentijn Hofman was way cool enough to be on my blog, so there’s that.