Sophomore Goss Will Lead Campus Folk Scene

In the Kitchen with Jeff Goss

As a first-year, Jason Goss made quite a name for himself lst year by performing in the Obertones, playing a few shows at the ŒCat and at last springıs folkfest. Since a year has passed since his first Oberlin performance at the Freshman Talent Show, we sat down with him to see how he has been handling the last yea.r Would he succumb to the pressures of performing by slipping into Leif Garret/Vince Neil excess, or could he stay on the straight and narrow and continue to make quality music? Arts correspondent Jeff Little sat down with him to find out.

JL: Jason, how would you characterize your music?

JG: Well, I donıt know . . . I think that it is not "folkie" in the Arlo Guthrie sense of the word. Um . . . I have a lot of influences, ranging from the likes of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits to more R & B stuff. I would say that I write mostly soft acoustic, ballad type stuff. Sometimes when I get a little courageous I do stuff with a little more bluesy edge to it. I think that over the last year and a half my style has changed a little.

JL: How has your style changed? What was it before and what has it become?

JG: Well, I think the change is more of a vocal change, especially after a year of Oberlin a-cappella. It used to be a little more straight forward, three chord-george stuff with softer lyrics. Now the stuff I write, when I am not descending to pathetic love songs, has more of a blues-folk feel, with more complexity in the vocal rhythms and melodies. But I am just kind of a three chord guy.

JL: I know that most of what you do here at Oberlin is folksy.Youıve got a band back home donıt you? What do you play back there?

JG: I still play the guitar and sing with my band back home. For the most part, the music has more of a rock feel to it. It is a pretty standard set up, two guitars, bass and drums.

JL: Have you ever thought of dropping the "sensitive" singer/songwriter thing at Oberlin and focusing on rocking out?

JG: Well . . I donıt know. I love to rock out but also like the softer stuff too. I was, for a brief time, in a funk band last semester, and might be getting together with a couple other guys to form a "folk- super band," . . . but we will see

JL: UhŠI see. A folk supergroup.How do you think your folk supergroup would match up against the Damn Yankees. They were a supergroup in the 80ıs. Also, do you think you could take the Nuge on in a rock off?

JG: Well, Jeff ‹ I really donıt know what to say to that. Lets move on.

JL: Look Jay, I met the Nuge once in a hunting store that he owns in Jackson, MI. Nuge would be really pissed if he thought you were ducking him. Would you like to expound on how fearful you are of the Nuge's huge chops?

JG: Allright we know that Nuge can play. His music would pull the panties right off of a nun. I am very afraid.The man has sold many albums and owns a lot of guns. I guess I very well should be scared. I would like to wrestle him, though

JL: Yeah heıs a really skinny guy Yo ucould definitely kick his ass. What do you like about the Oberlin musical scene?

JG: The Oberlin music scene is amazing. Saying that you write is like saying you brush your teeth, for the most part, everyone is really into some kind of musical expression and are usually damn good at it. I often find the scene to be a little intimidating. When I first got here I first saw the OJE and was completely blown away. The players here for all styles are unbelievable.

JL: This is probably gonna be a really hard question but whatıs your favorite concert youıve seen here?

JG: That is a hard one. Last year when the Afro-Cuban All-Stars played in Finney ‹ that was amazing. They filled the whole place and people were dancing in the aisles. I really canıt dance very well but it was a lot of fun. One of the singers was like in his 70ıs and he was up there dancing and singing like it was his first night on the stage.

JL: You recently played a show at the ŒCat last week with Zack Hickman. How did it go?

JG: Yeah, Zack asked me if I could play some songs with him, which of course I jumped at. It went really well. We had a big turnout, and what I thought was great about it was that the performance included so many types of music. I had a little bit of a feedback problem during the first song but while I was trying to fix it, Zack covered with some crazy story about a Ronald Macdonald that he saw in Atlantic City. Overall, it was great and I hope to make some more music with Zack this year.

JL: I was watching the Video Music Awards before I met up with you tonight. If Justin Timberlake quit NıSync tomorrow would you replace him?

JG: Hey, if they would take me. I think I am a little underqualified for the job, but boy bands are where itıs at. Also, Jeff, I am surprised that you know his last name. Are you a big fan yourself?

JL: That was a good response, Jay. You are certainly underqualified. And lets be honest here, nobody can replace Justin. And no Iım not a fan per se, but heıs got some wicked dance moves and good hair. Do you have any shows coming up in the near future?

JG: Not now ‹ but I will hopefully, maybe, have a night at the ıCat some time this year and I am getting in contact with Ellen Stanley, who has really helped me get shows last year . . especially with the folkfest and all. But she has her own booking company and I am looking forward to trying to put together some shows with her. Hopefully between the ŒTones and school work I can get a couple in.