Brent Fuqua is celebrating his Birthday Bash & Release Party for his upcoming single, Mississippi Rollin’ on March 13 at the Hook & Ladder. It has a great folky sound and offers a fun southern view of the Mississippi River.
Please tell us about you and how you got started with music.
How I got started in music was my mom and my uncle. My mom was a classical pianist and always had students coming to the house, and my uncle played the guitar – I can’t remember a time I didn’t at least try to play music. And me, I am a lifelong observer of the human condition, and student of folk/bluegrass/Americana music and have always loved the acoustic guitar. Outside of that I’m also a father and a husband and love the community of acoustic musicians in Minneapolis.
Soon you’ll be releasing your latest single Mississippi Rollin’. It’s a great song. What was the inspiration? Or rather what was the inspiration to focus on the Mississippi from the southern side? Such an interesting perspective from someone in Minnesota. (I live one mile from the Mississippi and while I’ve been to New Orleans, I have a very northern view of the river.)
Thanks for the kind words. I have a friend with a very adventurous spirit, and a few years back he fulfilled his lifelong dream of building a raft and floating down the Mississippi to New Orleans. I helped him get in the water to leave in Minneapolis. When I was thinking of new songs I wanted to write, I coupled that memory with a message about letting go and not sweating the small stuff. I felt like they went together. John Hartford’s music has been very influential in my life and wrote a lot about being a Riverboat captain and the Mississippi, so musically I guess it’s kind of a tribute to him. Being from Kansas City I’ve seen it from a few different places.
You are originally from Kansas City. What brought you to Minnesota and have you noticed differences in the music scene between the two places?
My first marriage is how I got up this way. I like it here and just never left. I’ve had this conversation a few times and have observed the two towns are very similar in a lot of ways–both the way they are laid out and the fact that they both have really great music scenes. Of course in KC Jazz and Blues is very prominent. In Minneapolis there’s been a lot of great rock bands that have flown pretty high here, and the West Bank Scenes of the past and venues like the Cabooze and Fine Line are legendary. As far as folk/bluegrass/Americana/singer-songwriter goes, I think the scene here is as good as anywhere north of the Mason/Dixon line. Kansas City’s scene, at least when I was there, wasn’t this vibrant.
Please tell us about the Lake Monsters Bluegrass Band.
We have fun is the main thing. I call it more of a “consortium” really. My friend owns Lake Monster Brewery, and he wanted some bluegrass on the patio in the summertime. So a couple of years ago I called a bunch of friends and we started doing that. We decided on a setlist of classic standards knowing that bluegrass players are very busy in the summer and we would have to use a lot of subs. What happened was we wound up with all kinds of people from the best bands in town willing to help. It’s another outlet for all of us, and it’s really fun. Low Key. It’s a great live show, and a lot of people like seeing bluegrass live.
Please tell us about your upcoming single release.
March 13th is actually my birthday so I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than making music with friends. I love how this new single came out, largely due to the members of Steam Machine who played on the track. I’m excited to have them join me for the show at the Hook & Ladder, along with Mother Banjo Band (who I play mandolin with) and Lake Monsters (an all-star bluegrass band I lead up). We’ll also celebrate the digital release of my last solo album, which was originally released 15 years ago. Should be a fun party!
Mostly Minnesota 