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09/02/2018

Reverend Freakchild talks with Inessa: He's been wander-tripping / Audio

By INESSA // A Spoonful Of Freakchild Makes the Medicine Go Down

The Rev is, happily, a not so easy musician to pin down. Is he a jam artist or blues guy maybe? Gospel and spirituals singer, country folkster, shoegazer guy?  All of the above. And maybe more. Says the Rev: “Music is my religion. Through song I seek transcendence!”. Let’s go.

The Rev has been summer-wander-tripping since May, fulfilling not just his wanderlust objectives, but introducing us to his new album, Dial It In. For this one he invited in some very special friends, among them G Love and Special Sauce man, Garrett Dutton,  to drummer Chris Parker who’s done time with Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker. The songs are a rich mixture of country blues, rock and some covers that will surprise and amaze. But somehow to be expected on a Rev collection. Check out more on the who and what, and where to buy the album, HERE.

Listen to the sound of this new collection with the title track below. And then settle in for a conversation we had recently, here at Robin Road.

The Rev plays the title track “Dial It In”, at the end of our conversation, below. But in between, aside from some really good time spent laughing, which is the best sort of medicine, the Rev and I reflected on not just the new album, but his feelings about the West Coast and its vibe, embracing the psychedelic experience, the need for “interfaith” dialogue, what helps him get through a breathless world in one piece, how to reach across the aisle, and remembering to invest in sympathetic joy, equanimity, compassion and loving kindness. And among the  teachings the Rev ponders is to remind ourselves that the “enemy” can indeed be our teacher.

MORE ABOUT REVEREND FREAKCHILD

In the tradition of such Blues Reverends as Rev. Gary Davis – such is the irreverent Reverend Freakchild.  The Rev has played in many bands including an early incarnation of Soul Coughing with M. Doughty leaving to form the roots rock jam band Bananafish in Boston and then on to some work with The Neptune Ensemble, The Soul Miners (w/ guitar virtuoso Matt Rae), The Lucky Devils and The Cosmic All-Stars touring internationally.  The Rev. spent 3 years off-off-off Broadway singing blues and spirituals on Sundays at Tobacco Road, the now defunct NYC hippie hangout replete with drug addicts, hookers and music freaks.  The Rev has also served as a member and featured soloist of the Metro Mass Gospel Choir performing at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fischer Hall and the Town Hall Theater.  The Rev’s music has been featured in many TV programs and commercials, and also national radio advertising campaigns.  He grew up in Hawaii, holds a degree in philosophy and religion from Northeastern University in Boston and now currently resides in Colorado pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree at Naropa University.  He continues to perform and preach saying, “Music is my religion. Through song I seek transcendence!”

 LINK UP

Reverend Freakchild

Maitripa College

Naropa University

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