Chris Cangi - String Bass, Vocals
How has the music scene changed for you over the years? Do you do things differently now than you did when you were first starting out?
Its has changed drastically over the years and its been really interesting to watch it develop into a digital realm that can reach millions in a click of a button. We do everything differently now. As an independent artist you have to be on the cutting edge of media development to survive and the digital world has leveled the playing field for bands like us by making it cheaper and easier to get our music out to the masses.
Was there a large bluegrass following in Chicago when you first started playing or did you have to work to turn them on to it?
There was a following but we had to work our asses of )and still do) to turn people on to what we are doing because it lies somewhere between the traditional and the extreme. I think a lot of Chicagoans overlook what we are doing because it is so different than what most of chicago is known for and what the media nurtures here.
Do you think Cornmeal would have a different sound if you guys formed the band in Kentucky? How much has Chicago influenced the band you’ve become?
Of course, your environment completely manipulates who you are and the experiences you have and unless you are a robot, it is destined to come out in the music you perform if you are an honest performer.
What has had the biggest impact on you as a band over the years? Have there been any technological advances over your tenure that have made things easier or more difficult for you?
I think the biggest impact has been the relationship we have with our fans, they move us in new directions and push us to achieve things we never thought possible. Being in this genre really allows you to become close to your fans and puts us all on the same level of respect and admiration. Its very symbiotic. As for technological advances, well it is amazing that I can manage a whole entire month long tour in the palm of my hand from directions to the club, to booking hotels to finding restaurants, gas stations, repair shops and more. Man I remember touring where we would constantly be lost on the back roads somewhere, late and pulling over to find a pay phone to call the bartender for directions. That was a whole different universe. Don’t know how Zeppelin did it back then.
Has someone emerged as a leader in the songwriting process?
Wavy Dave, Kris Nowak and myself are the primary songwriters. While we all chip in for musical production and arrangement, it is us three that bring the songs to the table. And I think we all have this unspoken burden on our shoulders to write the next great song. So that pressure really pushes us to reach deep and bring something to the band that we can really be proud of. We take songwriting really seriously and we all feel that over the years in this genre is has been over looked. I think its importance is coming back to light with the advent of some really strong songwriters in the genre.
Has there ever been a time that you’ve considered going your separate ways? What keeps you coming back for each show? How do you keep your performances fresh and exciting for yourselves?
That’s sort of a loaded question. This life is definitely not easy at times and not everyone is built for it but we all love what we do and it is just so ingrained in us. I’ve been working close to the music industry since I was 18 and I just don’t see doing anything else for a living. We just keep pushing each other and keep each other positive in order to bring the best we can to each performance.
Taking that to the studio, how do you stay fresh with material and avoid getting stagnant for yourselves and your fans, yet stay true to your roots?
I think by staying fresh you stay true to your roots. We are unavoidably a Jam Band and we just keep diving deeper into what we are and sometime you come up with a great little gem.
What do you listen to when you’re on the road?
Mumford and Son - Sigh No More
What can you not live without when you’re touring?
Cliff Bars
How much of your live show is planned out and what do you just let happen naturally?
I think about 50/50
You’re pretty intense on stage, any injuries sustained from playing so hard? Do you go through a lot of Band-Aides?
We rip through our own skin pretty regularly. Can’t play with Band Aides on so we use crazy glue.
Have you ever had an audience that just wasn’t into your music? What did you do to try to win them over?
Yes it happens once in a while and you just have to read them and try to figure out what they might like. Our repertoire is really diverse so you’re bound to hit on something someone likes and if not well that’s really humbling cause it’s easy to play in front of a thousand screaming fans that love your music but put a band in front of an audience that’s hates them and you can really see what they are made of.
After the show, what do you use to recover?
Ice bags and Ben Gay
Do you remember what you were doing when you first heard one of your songs being played on the radio?
I do remember, I was painting a new apartment I was renting and heard our song come on XRT local anesthetic and suddenly my phone starting ringing off the hook with friends and family calling to congratulate us. It was a really big affirmation that I was on the right path in my life.
Biggest musical influences?
We have so many but I think early classic rock, early country and Bill Monroe would sum it up. And John Hartford of course.
A new album in the works? Do you plan on slowing down your tour schedule?
We are actually heading in to the studio right after Wakarusa to start recording a new studio album. Tracks are also being gathered for our next live release, a follow up to 2010’s Live In Chicago, Il Vol. I. We just got back from our first NW tour and had such a great response that it looks like we have absolutely no plans of slowing down our tour schedule at this point but only to step it up more.
Cornmeal has two sets at Wakarusa this year, Thursday from 9:30 pm - 10:30 pm at the Outpost and Saturday from 1:30 - 2:30 at the Revival Tent.
Official Wakarusa Site
So there you have it from the horse’s mouths. Oh wait, I am headed to Razorback Country. Wherever you are coming from for Wakarusa, there will surely be many familiar sounds as well as new ones that will rock you, funk you, soul you, you get the point. Many more insights from bands will be following this write up so keep checking back for more.
Printed in Glide Magazine, 6/1/11
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