Going solo with Chris Haskett
by Ryan Williams
Next Show: Fri, April 29 @ Locals Only
Listen: "I Try" (MP3)
Chris Haskett’s favorite place to play his music these days is the Upper Room in Broad Ripple, for reasons both obvious and unexpected. Haskett says the benefits include “Jeff Sample manning the bar, built-in crowds, an intimate stage, and a posh and cozy atmosphere.” It’s also a place for seemingly random outbursts of fan appreciation. “I played a marathon set there a couple weeks ago, clocking in at just under 2 hours. I had people dancing, was getting $10 bills pushed my way, a group of opera singers randomly started singing along, and after I pulled out my harmonium and finished “Reign Over Me” this girl came up and gave a big slobbery kiss on the lips. After she pulled away, I shot her boyfriend this “what the..?” look. He told me no worries, I deserved it.”
For an acoustic songwriter who mentions John Lennon, Jeff Tweedy, Thom Yorke and Chris Martin as influences, that’s a lot of excitement. It might be something more appropriate for Haskett’s earlier work in the amplified rock world of The Brand Plastic, his former group. “With the band, I was younger, full of piss and vinegar, and felt I had something to prove. I’ve kinda come to terms that I’m never going to be a rock star, so I just play for myself these days. It’s how I’ve always vented my frustrations. I once made the comparison to my parents that the stage is my chapel, the audience is like my congregation, and its where I go to relinquish all the bad stuff that clouds my head. Music is my religion. That didn’t go over so well with them. But, I do feel when I play solo, my music has a certain spirituality that maybe didn’t come across as much with the band. Being song writer playing alone affords me more creativity. I don’t have to write in a certain musical vein. I can write music that breathes on its own, without others feeling like they need to contribute to the song.”
He’s been working to capture these creative moments on tape recently. “Lately I’ve been slowly recording and producing my own album in my home. I’m trying to keep the production simple, building off the acoustic guitar, keeping the accompaniment minimal.” That process isn’t always easy. “It comes in spurts and not nearly as often as I would like. Whenever I have an idea, I’ll record on this handheld tape recorder, recording version upon version of the song until I’ve got it all sussed out. I’ve got tapes and tapes of all these bits and pieces of songs. Some take years to finish, some take a few days, and some are never heard by anyone’s ears but my own.”
Haskett says he’s tried to find inspiration in world events and his community. However, he comes back to a common theme. “Mostly I can’t get away from writing about girls through the form of jaded love songs. Musically, I draw inspiration from whatever bands I’m listening to at the time. I’d like to think that my songs don’t sound alike. I try to do things differently with every melody and chord structure. I hate it when bands keep writing the same song over and over. I’m a fan of variety.”
