Quick Q and A with Greg Klyma
 by Kathy S-B  ·  1 May 2009

Calling Greg Klyma ‘unique’ is not quite adequate. He’s more than unique — all in a good way. His songs resonate with truthfulness, joy, and sadness and remind us all about what it’s like to be human. His vivid lyrics inform us about characters he has met on the road and at home. It’s impossible not to identify with many of them from our own lives. Check out Greg’s website and discover more about this fascinating songwriter from Buffalo. There are also plenty of videos available on line that show Klyma at his best. Here’s one that I shot of Greg doing one of my favorite songs at this year’s Folk Alliance.

So what’s the derivation of the “Rust Belt Vagagond?” It’s a pretty catchy name….

Pretty straightforward, really. I’m nomadic and have been more or less for over a decade now. Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit… the Manufacturing Belt. It’s commonly referred to as the Rust Belt which is where I’m from — Buffalo. Manufacturing Belt Nomad didn’t have a meter I liked. Rust Belt Vagabond however…

Since you’ve spent so much time on the road, I’m sure that you have a gazillion stories to tell. How many miles per year do you drive?

I’m actually just shy of a gazillion stories. I have approximately 999,057 zillion stories at present. Regarding mileage, I think one year it was between 40- and 50,000. It’s something like 25–30,000 now. I’ve basically been to the moon and back since I started touring full time in August of 1998.

What do you find is the best way to settle down and actually compose a new song? Do you ever find yourself composing as you travel from place to place or do you need quiet time in one place to compose?

My surroundings are often my co-writer. I haven’t a formula for it. Words often follow the music, but it’s not a rule or anything. I’ll write anywhere about anything… and have.

Tell us about your upcoming Live CD. Will it include any new tunes or is it a greatest hits live kind of recording? Either way is fine with me!

It’s great. I’m so wound up about it that I’m going to buy 2,000 copies.

I played in Buffalo on March 29. The concert was a sell-out show at the Sportsmen’s Tavern. Lots of fans, old and new, good friends and the whole of my immediate family were in attendance. It’s great to have proof that the mailing list works!

I played two sets. Set one will be largely used for a live concert DVD project. Set number two will be the live album that I hope to release in late summer.

Yes, one or two new songs. There are several older songs from albums that are now out of print (or soon to be out of print) or that were just never recorded for an album but have had their place in the show for years. I did half of a cover song and told a lot of the stories that people have been coming to the show to hear. Until the Live CD is released, the only place you can hear my stories is at the show.

I love the quote from Performing Songwriter magazine that cites that your music makes the listener realize that: “the glass is half empty and half full at the same time.” Now, that’s a real talent. How do you manage to do that?? ;-)

I was trying to think of a pun to answer this but that seemed in pour taste. You’ll just have to come to the show on May 8th to see/hear for yourself.