Gods & Monsters
Exclusive Q&A by Brad Balfour
When master musician Gary Lucas posted that he was invited to Ireland to be a mentor for serious musicians attending the International Songwriting Retreat, I had to look into the situation. The veteran guitarist, singer-songwriter has been doing his unique brand of music for over 40 years and I, for one, am a fan.
The 72-year-old first made his mark as a member of Captain Beefheart’s band, simultaneously acting as manager and guitarist. Just working with the late genius creator of the Magic Band — who made the legendary two-disc set,Trout Mask Replica –– would have cemented Lucas’ place in music history. Beefheart was an avant-garde rock composer/performer who made music that had never been heard before. Nonetheless, Don Van Vliet ultimately abandoned music-making for painting until he died at 69 in 2010.
Lucas went on from there to discover the late singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley who once fronted Lucas’ band, Gods and Monsters. Sadly, Buckley died young at 30 due to an accidental drowning. He left behind only one studio album and some live recordings. His version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” became a benchmark of the times. But Lucas and Buckley did collaborate on several songs including “Grace,” one of Buckley’s signature tunes.
Now Lucas is adding another feather in his cap by attending the International Songwriting Retreat 2025 where he will mentor several students during a week of sessions. Lucas was invited to be one of three mentors at the Irish Institute of Music and Song’s annual event in Dublin this August 11th-16th. The week-long experience is sponsored by the Irish Government and is comprised of workshops, performances, masterclasses and collaborations with students of all ages. As Lucas said: “I am so honored!”
But before he leaves, the chapeau-wearing performer has invited audiences to come enjoy his super jazz-rock power trio at Joe’s Pub this Thursday, August 7th at 7 pm. The show will feature the well-known Ernie Brooks on bass (Modern Lovers, Arthur Russell) and the powerful Calvin Weston (Ornette Coleman, Lounge Lizards) on drums. In addition, the audience will be treated to special guest vocalist, Luis Accorsi. Lucas recently released a video of them performing a version of Alice Coltrane’s “Journey in Satchidananda.”
Joe’s Pub is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan inside the Public Theater. Tickets: https://publictheater.org/…/gary-lucas-gods-and-monsters/
And so, in order to bring attention to Lucas’ upcoming appearance in Ireland ––a special opportunity for serious Irish-based musicians –– I conducted a short interview via email.
Q: What do you hope to do there by attending the conference?
Gary Lucas: I hope to inspire the people who sign up and attend to free their creativity, getting them to compose songs in new ways. The best I can do is get on my guitar and break the songs down. I’ll relate the history of my approach to the instrument which is based a lot on open tunings and finger picking. I hope to get together with folks on a one-on-one basis and listen to their songs. I will try to find mutual common ground, and also suggest ways to maybe improve their songs.
Q: Have you played in Ireland before?
Gary Lucas: Yes I’ve played on and off in Ireland since the early 2000s and love to play in that beautiful country.
Q: Do you know some Irish songs or Irish inspired music?
Gary Lucas: Yes. A few John McCormack songs (James Joyce’s favorite tenor) and an acoustic free jazz arrangement of “Danny Boy.” I’d love to delve more into Irish music.
Q: What do you hope to do there beyond the conference?
Gary Lucas: You know, I won’t know that much about this songwriting retreat until I get there. It’s brand new to me. I know that I’ll speak about my composing process, especially regarding Grace.
It is usually all intuitive and additive, like with Brian Wilson [the genius singer/songwriter behind The Beach Boys] with whom I share a birthday — June 20th. It’s hard to talk about it as it seems to come from a deep well of inspiration and as Captain Beefheart once told me “When you call it, you stop the flow.”
Q: Are there musicians there you’d like to work with?
Gary Lucas: I think having an open mind about trying to collaborate with like-minded folks can yield beautiful results. I tend to blend in with a vast variety of different musicians and traditions. If you examine my CV, you’ll see that it covers the waterfront stylistically and content-wise. It’s everything from Indian ragas, Chinese music and film scores to acoustic, free jazz, and gospel –– on and on.
I love Dublin especially since James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is my favorite book. I would love to visit some of the locations described in it, such as Sandymount Strand and the Martello Tower at Sandy Cove.
Q: Where would you like to go for inspiration, and would you like to record there?
Gary Lucas: I’ve played in Belfast and Clonakilty at a couple of guitar festivals. Also, in Cork and Galway. I hope to be able to communicate in a deep way with people who are trying to express themselves through original songs, at least on the musical side of things. Lyrics I leave up to the individuals themselves.
I believe there are recording facilities in the Lark Concert Hall on the premises of the Irish Institute of Music and Song. I’d love to play with Van Morrison; he’s one of my all-time heroes in music. But really, I’m open to meeting new artists and explore possibilities. I’m not really up on the contemporary scene there. But, for sure, there’s an incredible wealth of musical talent in Ireland!
Q: You’ll have to ask people there about sean-nós singing something you could add to your repertoire.
Gary Lucas: I will ask around about sean-nós singing.
Q: Who would you like to play with in Ireland, not necessarily those who have Irish influences?
Gary Lucas: I must mention that my favorite Irish groups over the years have included the Pogues, Microdisney, Dr. Strangely Strange and Taste (Rory Gallagher). The guitarist Gary Moore was my Facebook friend and a fan of my playing.
I’m no expert on Irish music but some of it is very bluesy to my ears, which is a common element I have found in much of the world’s music, and also very folky and melodic. I don’t think I employ any specifically Irish motifs in my own music per se. But in the songs I have covered, I find a deep resonance that moves me quite a bit –– especially the more folkloric music. I’m open to try and play with anyone in Ireland who is interested in my music and guitar playing.
For more info go to: Garylucas.com
And for the conference: https://www.internationalsongwritingretreat.com/about