Ten Questions with Jason Kluss

What's the inspiration for the title of your first album, “No Fear in Me”?

It's a quote from one of my songs, “Psychedelic Dream”, it was going to be the connection to continue things into my next album. The original was actually “Have No Fear in Me” because I think people should know that I'm a friendly person.

You're working on another album right now, how is that going?

The drums are done; the rest of it is waiting until the NatureDevil album is finished. We'll be really happy when that's all done and we can get back to work with the whole band.

How is your new album going to be different from "No Fear in Me"?

My voice has matured a lot more from my first album. There's going to be a full band backing me up. The songs are more catchy, more meaningful, and more professional. I'm not working with the same studio guy this time so the sound will be different just from being in a different studio. Also Brian (NatureDevil) is producing the whole kit an' caboodle.

What is your favorite part of being a musician?

Wow, I don't think I've ever had to answer this. Being able to play in front of crowds not nervous to open up and sing. Playing live, having the talent of playing music. Not everybody has this and I've had to work to get it. Recording a full, kick-ass album is also part of it, too. I wasn't born a musician but I think I have music in me. I wish I had started sooner like people who started playing piano at 2 or 3.

How do you want people to view you and your music?

He's the best player I've ever seen, is that good? Oh, now I'm bragging. He's one of the best I've ever seen. Since the Beatles, that sounds good.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
Original, but everyone says that. I mix a lot of stuff together. Some people think Counting Crows, I've had people mention Dylan but he's a legend. It's actually kind of hard to answer this. I've been a solo artist my whole life so comparing me to a band is kind of hard to answer.

Do you ever play electric / Will you have any electric guitar on your new album?

I don't even own an electric. Maybe on an album but it doesn't look like it yet. But that's not just up to me. If an opportunity or an idea comes up for me to go electric I'm going to do it. Right now I'm all about acoustic, I'll maybe own an electric one day again.

Where do you find the ideas for your songs?

Uhnm. In my head. Through people doing stupid things. Sometimes I don't think - they just come out of my head right away. Sometimes I just start rhyming words and songs come from it. I just write about how my life is going and how I want things to be in the future. I come up with ideas from my wife too. Now that I'm married I feel happier so I'm able to write happier songs. Some of my earlier stuff is darker. I'm the kind of person who has to have lyrics that make sense – at least to my way of thinking, that is.

What do you think is the most important part of being a performer?

Make sure I don't fuck up. I'm on time; I know how to play the songs. Not cracking when I'm singing and I'm in tune. It doesn't matter who I'm playing with, this is the stuff I always think about when I'm going on stage.

It's also important to bring people to shows, getting the crowd into what we're playing. Doing covers that they know next to my own stuff to keep them interested. Even if I'm playing to an empty room or a bunch of friends or strangers I still try to do my best.

What's the story behind the song "Lost in Space"? (I've always wanted to know, it happens to be my favorite)

This is the hardest question; I'm surprised someone has a favorite. I wrote it a while ago with the help a friend. It was around a time when I was lonely, the words just came out. I wasn't feeling happy and I was kind of lost. It's sort of about how I felt about myself physically and mentally. But that's not really how it came out, it's not really a sad song to me but it's heavy. A lot of songs I have came out like that, the words would just fall together and I'd sort of start to rhyme them until I came up with something I liked.