Snider and the politics of brevity

By Brian T. Atkinson
SPECIAL TO THE STATESMAN
Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Todd Snider's allegorical advisory "Peace Queer" — free at toddsnider.net on the songwriter's Oct. 11 birthday — threads an organizer's optimism through combative thunderclouds. Key highlight: the most poignant take on Creedence Clearwater Revival since Ted Hawkins shaded blue "Long as I Can See the Light." Snider's scheduled to return to the Cactus Cafe tonight and Thursday.

American-Statesman: Talk about your approach to 'Fortunate Son.' The alternate tuning and slower tempo add remarkable depth.

Snider:Often I'm sitting around my house going, "Honey, check out this song about rich, violent people I'm working on. When I get to the chorus, I'm going to say, 'You know, I'm not one of you.' Oh wait, that's 'Fortunate Son.' Should I just do 'Fortunate Son,' then?" Well, you know, it's been done to death. What if I dramatically change it? Maybe all these years later it would be cool to make it sound more exhausted and hopeless. And so I tuned down and started finger picking until it felt right.

Patty Griffin's harmony part is haunting.

I have known Patty for a long time, and I love to be around her. She's a true artist. Her singing on "Peace Queer" was a bit of happenstance, really. I was at Doug Lancio's recording, and she stopped by, not knowing I'd be there. We visited, but then I had to run home for a while. She stayed to hear what we'd been doing, and by the time I got back she had sung on those songs. I was surprised and, of course, thrilled.

You call 'Peace Queer' 'an album of brevity, humor and hope.' Explain how releasing an EP instead of a full-length better served its message.

Once I realized these were the songs coming out of me, I thought, "Oh God, no. Please." I almost left these songs at home. Then I started thinking that I'd keep it short — that's a good start. I thought I could give it away, too. In my mind, those two things honor the intellect of anyone that I can talk into to listening. With (political) songs and this kind of album, I risk sending out the message that I have knowledge that I clearly do not have. Anyone who knows me could tell you that.

How do you imagine the outcome of the November election will affect you?

Well, if the guy I'm voting for wins I'll be happy but have less to sing about. I've been riding this hippie folk singer trip for a few years now and have already racked in dozens of dollars, so I'm almost torn. I mean, I could make a few more bucks and nobody really gets hurt except gays and soldiers and poor people and pregnant women and minorities and innocent foreigners and the environment. So, it's really a coin toss for me.

In the meantime, what do you like most about playing at the Cactus?

I like to see my brother (Cactus manager) Griff (Luneburg) and play the piano down the hall before the show. Plus, after Cactus shows I go drink beer in Jerry Jeff Walker's backyard, which is one of my favorite things to do in the world.

Todd Snider performs at the Cactus Cafe at 7 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Advance tickets are $25. 24th and Guadalupe streets, on the University of Texas campus. 477-6060, texasboxoffice.com.