Guitarist’s music is abstract and introspective
Some of you might make a quiet trip to Borders this Saturday night. And as you peruse the store and grab a latte from the cafe, chances are you’ll see a musician playing his acoustic guitar and singing. That musician is Bruce Moulton, acoustic folk guitarist and singer/songwriter, who has been playing at gigs around Logan since 2001. The Statesman caught up with him to talk before his gig on Saturday.
Utah Statesman: So you play the guitar.
Bruce Moulton: Yeah, it’s primarily what I do at my shows and on my album. I also do a little bit of hand-drumming, too.
US: Like the bongos?
BM: Actually, the drum I use is called a djimbe. It’s an African hand-drum. It’s a lot of fun.
US: When did you start playing music?
BM: I started playing the violin when I was eight-my parents got me started. But I gave it up and started playing the upright bass. I played that through high school, and it kind of became part of my identity. I picked up guitar my junior year of high school, and I’ve been playing ever since.
US: Are you going to school up here?
BM: Yeah, for a while. I came up here in 2001, and school’s been off and on.
US: What has inspired you to start writing songs with the guitar?
BM: Well, there’s a difference between being a classical musician and being a regular guitarist. You don’t sit around with your violin with your friends while they say, “Hey man, play some Minuet in C. Mozart kicks ass.” But with guitar, you can play some Stairway to Heaven for your friends, or whatever.
US: It’s more accessible.
BM: Exactly. It’s more of a social instrument, I guess.
US: Where do you play, mostly?
BM: I play a lot in cafes. Citrus and Sage is one of my favorite places. Also, Caffé Ibis every now and then, and Borders. I enjoy playing at Borders because people come in for other things, so there’s always a big crowd. They’ll hear my music and come and sit down and get some coffee.
US: Do you like playing in Logan?
BM: To be honest, I’m not really familiar with any other scenes out there. Logan is where I got my start, and pretty much where my career has been. I don’t mind it. It’s pretty chill, and I play for fun-I don’t take it too seriously.
US: Is there something unique about you as a musician?
BM: Well, I whistle in one of my songs.
US: Whistling is making a comeback.
BM: I guess a lot of people don’t know how to whistle, so my skills are in demand.
US: How would you describe your music?
BM: A lot of people would call it folk, but that’s a really broad term. I keep it acoustic, very simple. It gets a little poppy for me, but people seem to like it.
US: What’s the songwriting process like?
BM: I was a musician before I started writing poetry or songs. It started with guitar, then I decided I wanted to write songs. From there, it kind of branched off into poetry, and now some of my poetry becomes songs. Songwriting is a strange process for me because I don’t do it voluntarily-it just comes. I can go months between writing songs. But it serves a need for me-it’s an outlet. My cd is five years worth of songs. Most of my music is abstract and introspective-I don’t write about shallow things.
US: Do you play with anyone else?
BM: Yeah, a bunch of my friends played with me on my CD. I was in a cover band a few years ago, and we played at weddings and parties. I’ve been in and out of bands, but they’ve all just been cover stuff. I prefer to play by myself ’cause it’s easier.
US: Tell us more about the album.
BM: Well, I threw it together myself. I had a guy do the recording for really cheap, had a couple rehearsals with the band, and did all the recording in eight hours. And my friend’s wife took the pictures for it. I’ve given away more than I’ve sold. I usually sell them for $5 at my shows.
US: Are you playing any time soon?
BM: Yes, I’ll be playing at Borders this Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m..
Contact Kelly at kelly.green@aggiemail.usu.edu