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Goin' Solo: An Interview with A.A. Bondy
Filter-Mag.com * June 11, 2009
by Samuel J. Fanburg

However tempting it might be to judge A.A. Bondy by his repetitive, initialed name, his musical style speaks for itself. By blending blues and Americana, he creates songs that make us retreat from our chaotic and noisy urban environments into more peaceful pastures. Originally the frontman (under the name Scott Bondy) of the Alabama-based group Verbena, Bondy decided to dissolve the group in 2007 in order to pursue a solo project. Resulting in the 2007 album American Hearts, the album signaled the beginning of A.A. Bondy's solo career.

Retreating to the woods of upstate New York, A.A. Bondy has completed the follow-up to American Heart with When the Devil's Loose set for release on September 1, 2009 on Fat Possum Records. In preparation for the album's release A.A. Bondy has just begun a 17-city nationwide tour with a performance at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 14th. To enlighten us on why he decided to go solo and what we can expect from his newest album, A.A. Bondy recently discussed with FILTER this latest venture.

A.A. Bondy... Scott Bondy, what's the story behind your name?

You can call me Gus. It's a family name. Auguste Arthur Bondy. They tell me I'm French. Criminal French.

What made you decide to go solo versus starting another band?

There was no one around. It's easier. My ears hurt less. Not as much anger. More room in a bed. An on and on and on like that...

Can you tell us about the transition from Verbena and Scott Bondy to A.A. Bondy? Were there any nerves recording your first album after the dissolution of Verbena?

I don't really remember any change. I just got bored. I was in California. I had a guitar. I would get drunk and watch the freeway, and the trees above the freeway. Then I moved to New York and I could breathe more regularly. That's about all I remember. I didn't have any nerves because no one was watching. I could do what I wanted, how I wanted. I didn't even think it would come out.

What went into the recording process of American Hearts? Why retreat to the Catskills? Were there any label concerns?

Well, I wouldn't call it a retreat. I found a box of gold in the woods. It made me nervous so I threw it in the Hudson River. The water was boiling with sturgeon. Where there's labels, there's always concerns. 'Fuck it', I say.

What can you tell us about the new record, any surprises?

It's like riding a big rolling wave on the balls of your feet, from far out at sea, all the way to shore, and thrown hard on the beach. Then it's nighttime and you've never seen so many stars and there's people hiding in the treeline, but you can't see them. That might be surprising.