B.J. Barham, above, leads alt-country rockers American Aquarium, who will perform tonight at Green Bar in Tuscaloosa. (American Aquarium Facebook page)-- Alt-country, roots rockers
will spend their second Alabama night performing at Green Bar in Tuscaloosa on the early leg of a massive tour that stretches from Florida out to New Mexico.
The Raleigh, N.C., group is no stranger to Alabama, having played in Muscle Shoals, Florence, Mobile, Auburn and Birmingham. They played the Zydeco in Birmingham on Thursday night. In fact, they recorded their latest record in Muscle Shoals.
They've toured for six years and have even hit some spots in Tuscaloosa, including Mellow Mushroom and The Dixie (now the Jupiter). Tonight marks their first gig at Green Bar, which singer/songwriter and guitarist B.J. Barham says he's only heard good things about.
Barham, 28, says many of his earliest memories are from spending holidays in Talladega while visiting some uncles who live in the Anniston and Oxford areas.
"I've always had fond memories of Alabama," Barham says. "It's a beautiful state, a fun state."
He notes football obviously reigns supreme, something his home state North Carolina can't claim, although they are proud of their basketball. A North Carolina State grad, Barham says, "I would like to thank UA for getting rid of Mark Gottfried," referencing his alma mater's recent success under the Crimson Tide's former coach.
American Aquarium is made up of Barham (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ryan Johnson (lead guitar), Whit Wright (pedal steel), Bill Corbin (bass) and Kevin McClain (drums).
Barham talked to us about hitting the road this fall as well as writing songs about the South and playing high energy bars on long tours.
Ben Flanagan: You're about to hit it here on a long tour. How have you guys prepared musically and mentally for such a long stretch?
B.J. Barham:
One day at a time. You can't blow yourself out the first couple of days or else the tour's going to suck. The vocalists have to take it easy. You realize we have a seven-week tour, so you can't have too much fun in one area or else we'll suffer. We're used to being on the road. When we're home, that's the weird part. Being home is what you have to mentally prepare for. This is second nature for us. Where we thrive is being on the road. It's really the only time in our personal lives we have schedules.
BF: Your sound has a weathered quality to it, especially your themes and storytelling. At 25, it comes across like you've lived a pretty full life up to this point. Do you feel older than you are?
BB:
I feel I'm much older soul than 28. I've been fortunate enough to experience a lot more stuff than most 28-year-olds. There are some who have never left the state of North Carolina other than to go up to Myrtle Beach. I've been to Europe, seen the states, seen the entire country. In that traveling, I've had a lot of relationships and ruined a lot of relationships, but I've been fortunate enough to have more than most. I can write about them and people relate to them. A 20-year-old can relate as much as a 50-year-old.
BF: Your songs have a geographical element to them, references to so many places like Jacksonville, Savannah, Cape Fear River and others. Do you usually find inspiration from the places you visit?
BB:
I'm a southern boy. I write a lot about the South. I'm not as good as some the others. The Drive-By Truckers do it very well. I am learning my own voice about writing about the South. It's a love-hate relationship.
BF: So many of your songs seem like they'll have a melancholy tone on the surface, given some of the titles of the songs, but they're often played fast and with an uplifting quality. Why do you think playing sad or angry songs like that is better?
BB:
I don't know. Maybe because nobody kills themselves after they listen to one of our records. When I play acoustic, it's the saddest thing you've ever seen. But when the band gets a hold of the songs, they turn into these sad bastard anthems. They're big and loud. It makes it relatable. Nobody wants to hear me sit on the stage and bitch for two hours about can't keep a steady relationship and staying broke. But you put a little fun into it and you can get away with being a sad bastard for a while.
BF: At your live shows, it seems like there is some heavy interaction and banter with the crowd. What kind of a room do you guys tend to like to play? Pretty high energy?
BB: I love a high energy bar. I love tiny, sweaty s---holes across the South, just as much as big theaters. I've played some gorgeous theaters and had just as good a time in bars that hold just a few people. Some crowds get a little too involved. That's when my banter gets mean. One guy always wants to talk s--- and scream "Play some Styx!" People don't realize that I'm an expert s---talker as well. Last time we played Oxford, a kid came up on stage and took a swing at me mid-song. I just ducked, and he missed me. And as security was carrying him out, I made fun of his haircut and sang a song about it.
Watch videos of American Aquarium's live shows (videos may contain some profanity):