Interview: Keller Williams

Never one to limit himself to a single musical style, prolific guitarist/vocalist Keller Williams showcases his dexterity once more on his new album Speed, covering the likes of Kacey Musgraves, The Presidents of the United States of America, and Ricky Martin alongside flatpicker Larry Keel and bassist Jenny Keel.

Prior to making his Brevard debut at 185 King St. on Thursday, Dec. 5, alongside longtime collaborators Gibb Droll (guitar) and local legend Jeff Sipe (drums), Williams spoke with Asheville Stages from his Fredericksburg, Virginia home about reuniting with the trio, working in the studio with the Keels, and his distinct method of choosing covers.

…on connecting with Sipe

He’s one of my heroes from my late teenage years. I remember watching him with Aquarium Rescue Unit. He was with them for a little while, then Leftover Salmon for a few years, and after that was somewhat of a free agent. I’d gotten to a point where I was given permission to play with other human beings [laughs] and just asked him. It took a while to get together.

Williams, Moseley, Droll and Sipe was definitely a hand-picked situation. We did about 100 shows in a year and a half. We put out a double live CD and DVD that documents that connection. It’s pretty much me living out my childhood fantasy of rock and roll fame. That was like Spring of ’07 until the fall of 2008.

…on prepping for a gig with out-of-town players

We have a good history. Gibb Droll is also playing with us. He’s coming in from Nashville and the three of us have done probably six or seven trio gigs before. One was at The Orange Peel a while back [in March 2010]. We made a whole weekend out of that. Most recently, we played in Ohio at the Resonance [Music & Arts] Festival, so we’re definitely not unfamiliar with each other.

…on whether or not the milestone of his 25th album inspired him to cut a covers collection

It was a coincidence. I gave up counting after 22. There’s a bunch of other stuff that’s not being counted in that 25. It’s also a reminder of how old I am. [Laughs] I just do my own thing. All my records are just documentation of myself, and all the Keels records are just an excuse to hang out with Larry and Jenny. And making a record inevitably involves going out and playing shows with them, so that’s my self-indulgent way to hang out with them on the road.

…on what he means by the covers “chose him”

Songs get in my head and don’t exit unless I play them live. For example, the Orange is the New Black theme by Regina Spektor called “You’ve Got Time” — I can’t get through the day without that song playing. I have to play it once this weekend just to get it out of my head.

…on bringing Speed together

There were a couple songs that the Keels and I have been playing for a while, but we left them out. A lot of them, I taught to the Keels. We’ve been playing together for years and try not to rehearse a lot, but I’ll bring in new songs every now and then. It’s refreshing to go out and have new songs from this album to play together. [The Doors’] “Roadhouse Blues” has been on the set list for a few years, but the rest of them were prepared for this record.

I wrote my song, “Medulla Oblongata,” specifically for this record. It’s fun to play with the Keels. And Larry brought his song, “Lizard Lady.” We’ve been playing it a few years or so. Now, I’ve been playing the other ones a lot — “Criminal” by Fiona Apple and the Weezer songs (“Hash Pipe” and “Island in the Sun”), but they’re new to the Keels.

…on his ongoing studio rapport with the Keels after three albums

The recording process for me and the Keels is very basic. Each time, we’ve gotten together for three or four days. I’ve had records where I do my track and hand it off to another player and he does his track, whereas me and the Keels get in there and we play and I sing live, then the Keels go back and overdub vocals. It’s a real fun, easy, organic process. We definitely fix all the mistakes, but it’s not like we’re going in there and changing everything around.

IF YOU GO

Who: Keller Williams Trio featuring Gibb Droll and Jeff Sipe
When: Thursday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m.
Where: 185 King St., Brevard, 185kingst.com
Tickets: Sold out

(Photo by Taylor Crothers)