“If you and I are having drinks at a bar, you’re gonna get a very jovial and charming character. But, I wouldn’t want to meet the nightwatchman in a dark alley…and I’m me.” - Tom Morello, 10.16.08

For many years, the name “Tom Morello” has been synonymous with a loud electric guitar at a concert and a raised fist in a protest out in the street. But now, there’s a different Morello out there known as “The Nightwatchman.”

We were first introduced to this new identity last year, with Morello’s solo debut “One Man Revolution,” which brought Morello’s deep singing voice and him strumming an acoustic guitar. Suddenly, Morello’s political persona merged with his political folk heroes Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and even a little of Bruce Springsteen thrown in for good measure.

It wasn’t bad. It was just different. And for some longtime fans, it was a bit jarring. But for Morello, The Nightwatchman is an outlet.

“It’s less of an alter ego,” Morello said. “It reflects a darker part of my psyche and soul, which i feel more comfortable releasing under The Nightwatchman.”

It’s interesting that Morello’s “darker” side employs an acoustic guitar and songs about fighting for a better future. But it makes sense when you take into account his past work as a guitarists, ripping seemingly impossible guitar solos with either Rage Against the Machine or catchy grooves with Audioslave.

“I’ve certainly learned a tremendous amount over the course of this,” Morello said. “Feels like it’s the greatest artistic leap for me since I learned how to play guitar solos.”

Hear Morello talk about performing on two different stages

There are no guitar solos on The Nightwatchman’s newest release, “The Fabled City,” which is a step forward for Morello after his debut release (where his first album was quiet, this one picks up the pace, as much as one can with an acoustic).

It starts with a steady beat from “The Fabled City,” where Morello sings “I’ve seen the fabled city/It’s streets are paved with gold/but an iron fence runs round it/Its iron gate is closed.”

“This song is kind of a way of looking at this music and the quest for…or the idea to fight injustice with music like this as maybe a lifeline in a real turbulent sea,” Morello said. “I believe the emotion of sadness creep into a lot of the songs.”

From there it goes to the rousing “Whatever It Takes” to the softer “Midnight in the City of Destruction,” which as a slight tinge of Springsteen Americana to it.

Overall, the album has some depressing tones and themes, which Morello says came from having lost multiple loved ones in a short period of time. But, with a close ear, you can hear a message of hope that the world can fight for a better tomorrow and when that day comes, Morello may finally be able to leave The Nightwatchman alone until he’s needed again.

Hear the entire interview. Sorry it’s in various parts.

The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello), 10.16.08, the day after the second presidential debate…

Part I

Part II

Last month I got a surprising email in my inbox from the bassist of Rilo Kiley a couple of weeks ago. When I opened it, I read this: “My name is Pierre de Reeder from the band Rilo Kiley. How ya doing? Just wanted to get in touch because I’m a happy 52 Shows visitor and thought you might want to know about a solo record I have coming out on August 12…”

Naturally, I thought it was fake. Why would the dude who plays the bouncy lead guitar to this want anything to do with us? Apparently there’s a softer, less hardcore side to Reeder, which comes out in his first “official” solo album “The Way That It Was.”

First off, he’s still working on a tour and says that “something is tentatively planned for late October.” However, if you’re in the LA area, you may be able to see him open for some other bands for the time being.

“I haven’t paid a lot of attention on [touring] only because I’ve been so focused on the release,” said de Reeder.

The album is definitely a step back from the Rilo sound. In fact, at times you wonder how the bassist for that band could have these songs tinkering in his head. Where Rilo has that hear and now kind of feeling, de Reeder’s solo is more about stepping back, both in attitude and perspective.

This can be heard on “The Way That it Was” (which you could have guessed from the title) and “Young and Old.”

But then there’s also the album’s closer, “Not How I Believe,” which has the lyrics “Every day have a little bit of modesty and honesty/ wouldn’t hurt you in the least/ not that I could take the leap…”

“No one can be perfect, it’s an ideal,” de Reeder said. “Big things for me, being humble and honest. These are things I try to live my life by.”

Right then, it all starts to make sense why he emailed the site and that it’s entirely possible that he visits on a regular basis (I didn’t want the truth and would rather bask in a beautiful lie).

And it’s also why he’s so easy to talk to and why, towards the end, we get into politics (the day before was Barrack Obama’s accepetance speech). A couple of weeks ago, de Reeder wrote a post for the blog Largehearted Boy titled “Why Obama,” which threw down the musician’s reasons for embracing the man of change.

“Last night was awesome,” de Reeder said. “This whole convention is incredible and such a necessity, an eradication  of what’s been going on. I felt this…mood, this necessity for change. When Bush got elected I wanted to leave the country.”

From there, we went into concerts and music. Click below to hear de Reeder’s answers.

Hear Reeder talk about his first concert.

Reeder talks about a couple of shows he wants to see live, which segues into the geeky things he and I do at record stores.

Pierre de Reeder - The Long Conversation

* Update: New Tour Dates, straight from the de Reeder

Oct 4 2008 6:00P Eagle Rock Music Festival Eagle Rock, California
Oct 24 2008 7:00P Rio Theatre - with Jenny Lewis Santa Cruz, California
Oct 28 2008 7:00P Herbst Theatre - with Jenny Lewis San Francisco, California
Nov 1 2008 7:00P UCSD - with Jenny Lewis San Diego, California

That dude on the left is Brody McCoy (with Ninya from The Go! Team), live music hero and promoter from Minnesota, who runs British Rock Is Always Top. This means that if you haven’t just crossed the pond or don’t speak in a cockney (or variation of) accent, then he doesn’t want to hear from you.

Brody was good enough to reach out to 52shows (I tried reaching out for a weekend and got tired) and we decided to ask him, one awesome live music site to another, his thoughts, dreams and plans for world domination. This is what he said instead…

When did you start your blog?
Early 2006, a few friends had cool blogs and I was going to a ton of shows. Figure I need a blog.

Who’s the other dude with you?
My buddy Erik, an English major, was writing a bunch of reviews for me, now he was his own blog called
WordsToSell.vox.com My uncle Craig writes a few reviews as well, along with a few other friends.

Why Brit rock?
Most of my favorite bands are British. Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Starsailor, Doves
BritRockAtTheTop.com sounded cool and catchy. I originally thought of the name British Rock is Always Top.

Why is Brit Rock better than US rock or alt rock or robot rock?
I listen to everything from classical, oldies, singer songwriters, the best artists come from the UK,
Beatles, Zepplin, The Who, Pink Floyd, Stones, to the more recent Radiohead, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys
I’m never looking to argue that UK music is better than everthing else, good music comes from all over the world.
My two favorite live shows were both French bands Tahiti 80 and Phoenix.

Who are you listening to now?
Noah and the Whale, The Envy Corps, Fleet Foxes, Dirty Pretty Things

Since you’ve worked on the site, your favorite concert experience since?
Dancing on the stage with the band Birdmonster, Bowling with Robbers on High Street after their show

What was your first concert experience?
Brian Wilson, Counting Crows, I probably saw some other lame shows when I was younger.

The last time you fell down?
Tripping on some stairs at show, maybe once in NYC after a few to many drinks

Get your iPod (or other MP3 player), hit shuffle and tell me the first three songs that pop up and what your immediate reaction is. Go.
Badly Drawn Boy-Silent Sigh
Blur - Coffee and TV
Laura Marling-Cross Your Fingers

I need to listen to my IPod more, great tunes

Do you get albums from PR companies? How much crap are you forced to listen to?
I get cd’s from Filter, Ariel, but I usually request cds from artists for review. If I don’t like it for sure won’t go on my blog, and will probably get thrown in big box of unwanted cds.

Favorite Brit rock bands we should know about:
Kasabian, Razorlight, Athlete, Magic Numbers, The Go Team! are some well known bands
Cajun Dance Party, One Trick Band, and Bombay Bicycle Club are some up and comers..

The $40 concert t-shirt. Thoughts?
Ridiculous, I stopped buying t-shirts a while ago. I do like to support the artists occasionally i will.
Young people buy things, they don’t think about the price.

The opening band: when do you bother?
I listen to the the opener usually and if I like it I’ll be there. I usually don’t need to get to a show early to get a good spot, I do like to be close though.

Most embarassing concert you’ve been to.
New Found Glory this girl from my old work begged me to go.

Jay-Z was just at Glastonbury. What did you think?
Whatever brings crowds I guess, I don’t remember 2 Pac playing Glastonbury though?

Best place to see a show in your town?
Varsity Theater (Dinkytown area by the U of M)

Where do you go for late-night snacks after a show?
Burrito Loco, Perkins, bowl of cereal while blogging usually is fine.

Day job?

I teach tennis full time downtown Minneapolis