Cass McCombs

Describing Chicago-based maverick Cass McCombs as "a musical magpie, hopping between musical eras and genres with unconcealed glee", we declared his latest record , Dropping The Writ, to be "a beautiful piece of work, full of warmth" upon its February release. And with a rare UK appearance scheduled for London alongside Andrew Bird later in the month, Cass was kind enough to answer a few emailed questions.

Firstly, I love the new album; it's my favourite of the three. It seems more varied in style and sound, from song to song, than previous work, ‘A’ in particular. Do you feel it was influenced by any specific artists or bands, and if so who?

Thanks; it would be impossible to mention all the artists that have influenced me... and I couldn't single anyone out… but I listen to the radio and go out dancing like anyone... guess I still listen mostly to my favourite music that first inspired me to play… like old rock and roll and country and blues and things like that.

What tends to be your favourite/least favourite part of the songwriting and recording process?

I don't know… recording is usually a lot of fun, a lot of just messing around, horsing around. I mean it's hard work too, but fulfilling when you are with your friends.

This record sounds more polished to me than the others, the music seems very warm, bright and spacious - was this deliberate? How did you get this effect?

We listened to records that we like the way they sound and kind of jumbled them all up together... and also a lot of not caring where exactly you stuff a microphone… just put it any old where. Like if we're doing piano or something... that's one technique if you can call it that.

I read that you change the line-up of your band regularly. Is that still the case? And do you enjoy working with new musicians regularly, or is it a hassle you just have to put up with?

That's just the way it is… like an all-star band.

Have you any plans to play in Ireland any time soon? I went to see Band of Horses in Dublin recently, and was disappointed when I found out you'd been supporting them in the States but not in Europe...

I'd love to play in Ireland finally... one of these days.

If you could collaborate with any working artist/band, who would it be?

Someone who I'm comfortable around and agree with on some fundamental things but more importantly someone who I can disagree with, but can learn from, to realize our disputes are the bridges to understanding how we can connect. I guess someone who just enjoys arguing as much as i do... "taking yourself seriously enough to not take yourself seriously at all".

And, um, the guitarist in my band needs to know: What guitars, amps, pedals do you use or prefer?

It changes all the time… I love playing my telecaster and my martin. I like this question because it's real. Hard to think back, though... i don't really use pedals much... I've been playing fender bassmans and telecasters since I was about 16.

How much, on a scale of 1 to 10, do you like reverb?

Very funny... We use echo… we use other things too…