Quick Q and A with Chris Thompson (The Strangelings)
 by Kathy S-B  ·  9 December 2007

Who are the Strangelings? The easy answer is that they comprise Pete and Maura Kennedy, Rebecca Hall and Ken Andersen, Chris Thompson, Eric Lee, and Cheryl Prasker (and occasionally joined by Meredith Thompson). But who are the Strangelings . . . really and truly? This is a case where we have so many outstanding musicians on one stage — but it’s the combination of all their sounds that makes this band so. . . .strangely wonderful. They play a blend of folk-rock-traditional-experimental music that takes familiar and not-so-familiar tunes and transforms them into a totally unique musical and magical experience.

As the me&thee season has been unfolding, I’ve been doing interviews with several of the Strangelings so you’ll have a little bit more history about the members of the band prior to the show on March 14. If you like a little Fairport Convention, a little Donovan, a little traditional, a little sitar, and a lot of beautiful, rich harmonies. . . Marblehead will be the place to be that night.

Check out The Strangelings at their MySpace page. Also, here’s a peek at a performance from NERFA in November 2007.

You started out playing Open Mics during the early 1990s. Has the music scene in New England changed at all since that time?

Heraclitus long ago said “The only constant is change.” Very true! The music scene is constantly changing. I have talked to others who note that the open mic scene ebbs and flows. When Meredith and I were performing at open mics, there were a lot of people doing them, and a lot of open mics to play. Now I think there are fewer, with fewer artists playing them.

I am definitely aware that some of the coffeehouses we used to play have closed. However, many coffeehouses are still going strong. It’s wonderful that New England still has such a vibrant coffeehouse scene. Coffeehouses are definitely spectacular venues for performance and music enjoyment.

Do you have any vivid recollections of your time spent playing in the subways in Boston?

I do have quite a few vivid memories of chilled fingers and loud screeching sounds of trains entering stations. I played the subways fairly steadily from 1998-2002, mostly on the Red Line for the morning rush. I’d get up very early, drive to Davis Square, and load my small but unwieldy sound system on a dolly. I remember a man who used to sell newspapers at the top of the stairs, just before you’d get your token (remember tokens?) to get into the T. He’d tell me how business was. I know he was upset when they started giving out the Metro for free.

Although you are playing for “free,” getting the “Spot” was fairly competitive. I remember rolling into a spot right as someone else was aiming for it — I felt a little badly that we both basically raced to get the spot, but I guess that’s business. . . I’d generally try to get down to the subway around 5:30 am, start with Davis, and if someone was there, try for Porter or Park St. Alewife has a guitar player who would be there every day but Mondays, so I could only try for Alewife on Mondays. Harvard was so competitive they had a “coin toss” — all the players got there at 7:00am, then we tossed coins and whoever won got to pick the time they wanted, and on down the line until all the 2 hour spots were taken for the day.

I saw it as a rehearsal and “get the word out” opportunity, so I definitely wasn’t in it for the money. I’d perform new songs, try out covers I was trying to learn, and try different things with old songs. Mostly people would just walk by and pay no attention to you. Sometimes, though, there would be someone who stopped to listen, or who said “wow, I really like your sound.” Those moments were really wonderful. I wrote a song about that experience starting with the lyrics:

And you catch my eye And you sing my name You understand even when I can’t explain Your eyes are open Your arms are wide You catch my drift, see my point, see my side.

The lyrics might seem a little like overkill, but after 3 or so hours in the cold with trains and the endless river of people, making that connection with someone was really special.

One of my most memorable subway experiences was one of my most challenging. I decided to try the Park Street Green Line, outbound. I set up my little sound system, and immediately a big burly man who sold newspapers came to me and said “Look. I’ve heard a lot of terrible musicians down here. You better not be too loud and you better not suck.” Tempted to leave, I promised not to be too loud. Though I wasn’t thrilled with being groused at, but I didn’t envy his job. I started playing next to a garbage can that had a top with openings on four sides so people could throw their trash in. I noticed that people would lift up the top to the garbage can, looking for newspapers that other commuters had thrown away. This obviously made the newspaper man mad, and robbed him of business. I set my CDs on top of the can, so people could still throw things away, but could no longer lift up the lid to get old free newspapers. The newspaper man saw that I was helping him out, smiled, and by the end of my time there he said “you can come back any time you’d like.”

Once I was packing up to go and a Mom and her 6 year old daughter came up to me. The Mom said that her daughter would like to hear me sing a song. I said I’d sing one more just for her. I sang “Amazing Grace” a cappella. The Mom and her daughter were very appreciative. Her Mom said “Thank you so much. My daughter’s name is Grace.”

You and your twin sister, Meredith, are known for your stunning vocals. We know that Meredith has been busily taking care of her family these days but as time goes on, are there any plans for any more recording or shows?

Meredith and I love to sing together and hope to continue to do so when her children are a little older and don’t need as much Mom time. We brought Carter to some shows when he was a toddler. One show we did was fairly informal, so our Mom watched Carter in the audience as he played with “quiet” toys. At one point in the show, he said “Hi Mom!” It was very cute, but also a reminder that Carter wanted his Mom’s attention.

Now that she has two children, she wants her weekends home with them. Carter loves music, and will even request songs. Once Carter, Meredith and I were in the car and Carter said, “I want to hear Mountain” (by Dave Carter on our Live 2004 Album). I started to sing it, and he said “No, I want to hear it on the IPod.” (I didn’t take it personally!) Meredith and her husband named Carter in part to honor Dave Carter, who has definitely been an influence of ours. We’ve recorded his songs, “Mountain,” and “Tanglewood Tree.”

So far, there aren’t plans for a future CD. I’m certain when Carter and Zak get older we will perform more often. You can find out where on our website.

I got married in August of 2007 and my new married name is “Lively.” I’m playing with my new sister-in-law as “The Livelys.” We’ve played a few shows so far, and hope to do more shows. As you know, my most time-consuming music project right now is the Strangelings. I’m really excited about the chance to play with so many great musicians, and to perform new songs and learn new approaches.

Your spiritual songs are extremely powerful. Your “Be Still My Soul” and “Balm in Gilead” are outstanding. I assume you receive great satisfaction from touching people in such a deep and moving way.

Thanks so much for your kind words. Music is so powerful, and spiritual songs can express such deep sorrow, longing, and also great joy and hope. We love traditional spirituals and we are always happy when they resonate with people. Our goal is to make great music that brings people joy. I am always grateful for those who take time to make space in their lives (and their church basements!) for music.

What is life like as a Strangeling? The song selection that you’ve been doing in concert is compelling and so magical. You’re all doing a great job in preserving some great old songs in such new and enthusiastic ways.

Life as a Strangeling is great — we are all very excited about the new direction the band allows us to go with our music. (Most people also perform in other configurations). Thanks again for your kind words regarding the “magic” — we do hope that the Strangelings can weave vocal harmony, guitar, fiddle, bass, and percussion with traditional songs and new tunes to create magic.

I’m very excited to be in the band and very thankful to all those who support live music, and definitely looking forward to our Me and Thee show!