An Interview With Patrick Oconnor, DJ.

Patrick dj’s this Thursday, 9/9 at the Burlington, 3425 W Fullerton Avenue.

HR – What kind of music do you play and how did you get interested in it?

P – We play classic country that spans from the 50s through the mid 80s. We only play vinyl. I think country sounds a little better on vinyl; it sounds a little more authentic. I grew up in Texas and my only exposure to country was what was playing on the pop country radio stations in the mid 80s and early 90s, which is among the most uninspired, trite, insipid music that has ever been created in the history of recorded sound. So for the longest time I thought I hated country. I was into indie rock and post-punk growing up, but eventually my musical tastes broadened and I got into the 70s outlaw country movement. I really got into Willie and Waylon and Johnny and the boys. That eventually led into Hank and Patsy and Bob Wills and some of the other more popular classic country artists.

A friend of mine from Texas named Shade Degges started up “Tender Tuesday” at Danny’s with Dennis, who I DJ with now. It was at Tender Tuesday when I really got dug a little deeper. Shade moved out to LA and another friend of ours, KC Haywood, took over with Dennis. When KC tragically passed away a couple of years ago Dennis asked me to fill in for a benefit we did for his medical bills. We worked well together so I’ve been doing this classic country night with him for a couple of years now.

HR – Who are some good artists to introduce a novice to this type of music?

P – Some of the more easily accessible artists are the outlaw guys from the 70s. They sensed that the music scene in Nashville was getting to rhinestone-y and Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings – two of my all-time favorite artists – started doing their own thing down in Austin. It combined a lot of traditional country elements with the folk and rock scene that was bubbling at the time. I’ll go ahead and state the obvious that you need to own a couple of Johnny Cash records, but I think everyone already does. Merle Haggard is an essential from that era as well. Kris Kristofferson was a brilliant poet, even if his music can be a little boring at times.

I think folks ought to try to have a deeper appreciation for the 50s artists. Everyone knows about Hank Williams, but I think that Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys were almost as influential. His arrangements are mind-blowingly complex and amazing. Lefty Frizzell is another guy that started in the 50s that had a huge impact on subsequent generations. Roger Miller is another guy that I love.

Then there’s those guys that sorta teeter on the edge of country…. Gram Parsons is the godfather of “alt-country” music. His work with the Flying Burrito brothers, on his solo record Grievous Angel is steeped in traditional country, but his incorporation of folk and blues really laid the foundation for all the alt-country shit you hear today. Obviously Parsons’ friendship with Keith Richards had a big influence on the country elements you hear in Beggar’s Banquet and Exile. I think a guy like John Prine was also a little more folk-country than Gram Parson’s “cosmic-country,” and that he wrote some beautiful music over the years.

As far as some contemporary dudes, I think Steve Earle is fucking legit, and Dwight Yoakum is a modern-day Lefty Frizzell who rocks. And Randy Travis and George Straight are about the only artists I enjoy that could perhaps be considered “pop country” in that they were popular and sold millions of records, but still wrote some beautiful music that I viscerally enjoy.

HR- What was the last song you heard that really moved you?

P – I’m still blown away every time I hear John Prine’s ‘Angel from Montgomery.’ His emotional accessibility on that track gives me goose bumps.

HR – How receptive do you think Chicago is to country music?

P – I think that because of Bloodshot and No Depression people are very receptive to the alt-country scene that sprouted up in the 90s. But I don’t think most folks here have a deep appreciation or understanding for where that music comes from. But I think that people generally have a great time when we do our classic country night and are surprised at how much they enjoy the music. Good music is good music and you don’t have to be from Texas or Tennessee to appreciate old country music.

HR – What song or songs do you want played at your funeral?

P – That’s tough. I know a lot of people have the list written out and they carry it around in their wallet in case they get hit by a bus and bite the big one. I think mine would be heavy on Willie. I think Willie’s tone uniquely lends itself to both sorrow and joy. I guess I wouldn’t mind the following songs played at the funeral or the party after (and there better be a party at my funeral).

“Uncloudy Day” by Willie
“Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady” by Willie off Redheaded Stranger
“Body of an american” by the Pogues
“Sister’s Coming Home” by Willie
“I’ve always been crazy, but it’s kept me from going insane” by Waylon
“Luckenbach, TX” by Waylon and Willie
“Faded Love” by Bob Wills

Don’t knock it til you try it. Come listen to some country music as Patrick lays it on the platter, at the Burlington on Thursdays.