North Dakota native Tom Brosseau has been toiling at his singer-songwriter craft for more than a few years now, but it’s only been recently that a small but steadily growing buzz around the singer has evolved. Brosseau’s new album “What I Mean To Say Is Goodbye” has been lauded by the likes of Bonnie Raitt and for very good reason. While some critics hear Nick Drake and Rufus Wainwright in Brosseau’s crystal clear, comforting, folksy voice, rock’s earlier stars such as the Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson would be just as appropriate comparisons. But the soft-spoken musician is happy to take things as they come.
Q: Are you surprised by the response to the album?
I don’t quite know how to answer that. I think given the reputation of the people who are working the record, the record label Loveless and the producer, in a way I’m not surprised because they’ve done such a good job in the way that the record sounds. I’m just thrilled that it’s getting a great response in the U.S. and in London too. Sometimes a certain community can like a record and it can do very well but outside of that little world it might not do so well. I think in general that there’s been an acceptance so that’s really great.
Q: So do you sense that there’s a buzz or a groundswell around your music?
I don’t know. I feel that things are picking up quite a bit. There’s a radio station in Seattle KEXP, they really have gotten the radio out and it’s through college radio stations like that. Without college radio where would we be?
Q: Were you always into music growing up?
For the most part my background has been very musical but my first passion was writing. My father always encouraged us to read a lot and through reading I was able to develop my skills as a writer, which is true.
Q: You cite quite a few artists like Nick Drake and Cole Porter as influences. What’s the attraction to those artists?
First and foremost, the songwriting doesn’t get any better. Those guys pretty much wrote the book on how to write a good song. I think those songs have a timeless quality -- you could apply it to your life today as you could 50 years ago. That’s what so appealing to me, that quality about it, so that is why that music stuck with me. It’s a great model on how to write songs.
Q: Do you always find yourself writing?
I do and when I’m not I’m dreaming about things to write about. A lot of people who develop that side of their brain will find that they’re no longer in control that ideas just pop into their mind. You hear a lot of people saying you should always carry around a tape recorder or a pen and paper to write down your ideas otherwise you’ll lose them forever. I dismiss that point completely, I think a person’s mind is a very tricky thing and ideas will always come back at some point.
Q: Do you find the writing process has gotten easier over time?
No. It’s a complicated process but there’s great book called Songwriters On Songwriting and Bob Dylan is interviewed in it. He says there’s three ways to write a song: the melody will come first and then the lyrics, the second is the lyrics first and then the melody and the third is both come out at the same time. Even if it’s reduced to those three ways of writing a song, I don’t think it comes any easier. I sit down and constantly revise.
Q: How many songs did you record for the album?
Sam Jones produced the record, I think there are 12 songs but in total we recorded maybe 20. The remainder that didn’t make the grade are just kicking around.
Q: Was there one song that was harder to finish than any other on the album?
The songs that were written for the record were done during a specific time from 2003 to 2004 when I first moved to Los Angeles. I think the song that took me the longest to write was “St. Joe Street.” It was a struggle to finish that song and I can’t remember even if I settled on it being finished but it’s nevertheless on the record.
The one song on the record overall the toughest to work on musically was “Tonight I’m Careful With You.” That song I credited to Sam Jones, he spent a lot of time with it.
Q: How did you hook up with Sam Jones?
I first heard of Sam from the (Wilco) documentary but I had never seen it. I just remembered the poster: “I’m Trying To Break Your Heart” – A Film About Wilco by Sam Jones.” I knew he directed this great documentary but I met him at Largo in Los Angeles, a really great venue.
Q: And you also have Benmont Tench on the record. How did you hook up with him?
Everybody that appears on the album I would say I’ve met at Largo at one point or another. Sam had also known most of these people as well through doing stuff in the music industry himself. I think I met Benmont Tench once at Largo before being re-introduced to him at Sam’s place. Sam said we should try and get Benmont Tench over and play piano. I said, “Well, that would be great!” (laughing)
Q: Recently Bonnie Raitt has been praising your work. Do you put much stock or emphasis when a fellow musician cites you or singles you out for your work?
I am very appreciative for anybody to say that to me. I grew up on Bonnie Raitt’s music so it’s such a thrill to get a complement from her of course. When you admire somebody, it means so much to you when they turn around and say they like what you do. Another good friend of mine who is a tough critic gave me a pretty good compliment on the record and it meant just as much to me.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in your career?
There’s so many. There’s always the challenge of having enough money to go out on the road. So far it’s been a struggle but it’s become a lot easier. I think every musician struggles with being away from people that they love but also it’s good too because you get to travel and meet you new people. In order to be a musician you have to be a people person and I love meeting people. But it’s hard to keep a wife and keep the kids in place.
Q: If a major label came knocking would you be interested?
Of course I thought about it but did you see this movie Wallace & Gromit. There’s a scene in it where they’re eating a particular kind of cheese and it’s actually a cheese company that exists in the world. I think it’s called St. Francis’ Stinking Cheeses, it’s got a really funny name. But because of the movie, this small European company is receiving all kinds of orders for their particular brand. And on NPR they asked if they would expand and become like Kraft and start making cheeses around the world. He said one thing that he really liked was being where he was and at the level he was operating at. Nothing was injuring him, it was almost like if you’re happy then you really don’t know any better.
Q: What are you plans for the rest of the year?
I’ve been traveling since June and I’m going to keep on going. I just came back from touring the East Coast for a full month and then I tour the West Coast. I will take that into December and then in the new year go back to the East Coast or possibly overseas to England. I’m going to keep on going and I’m not going to stop. If I die then I die and if my fingers get worked down to the bone than that will make me the happiest. I think that my opportunity is right here so I have to take it.
Brosseau’s album, which also includes guest appearances from Tench, Nickel Creek members Sara Watkins and Gabe Witcher and Elvis Costello and The Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, is currently available on Loveless Records.