How would you describe your musical style?
Well, I hope this doesn't feel like too much of a cop out answer but we try to "describe" it as little as possible. I mean we borrow from a lot of the same mother lode as other bands that find themselves under the big Americana umbrella: Rock ‘n’ roll, soul, gospel, country, folk. But we consciously try not to think about it too much, tends to make it more of an intellectual thing, which we try to avoid. To use a not very compelling analogy, we prefer to think of ourselves as mad chefs working without a recipe, just throwing in dashes of this, pinches of that, with lots of tasting, until it tastes like something good. If we like the taste we make the leap of thinking other people will like the taste too.

You almost alternate records between solo and with a band, why is that?
Well, the solo verses group distinction is actually a little false. All of the Clouds contributed to Mountains/Forests, as did Allison Russell and Ben Sidelinger from Po' Girl and Michelle McGrath, a great picker and singer who was my first musical partner. She's the other wonderful female vocal on the record harmonizing with Alli.

Did you have a musical childhood?
If you count only listening to rap while pretending to hate my parents motown and country records - and serving as a listless 4th chair trombonist in elementary school - as a musical childhood. Yes.

‘Mountains/Forests’ is your latest U.K release, tell us about that?
Recorded live in a cabin on Washington Island, Wisconsin in 3 days with those ridiculously talented people I mentioned before, who happen to be my best friends in the world. In short, the most fun I've ever had.

Your last record ‘Caledonia’ had some great accolades, any you’re fond of?
We love all accolades, with a great and pure love, but we tend to prefer the really long winded ones.

Why do you think the Brits have latched onto your music?
Well, the Brits tend to know their American roots music often better than their American cousins. Beyond that I don't suppose it pays to think too much about why folks do or don't like you. We sure do appreciate it though.

When are you next in the U.K?
Alli and I will be in the UK from Nov 23rd to Dec 6. We will most likely have a Cloud or two accompanying us.

Is it easy for you to find inspiration when song writing?
It is. I, like most people, am forming impressions based on sensory data all the time. I am just self-absorbed enough to think that all the things that flit through my mind must be written down and recorded, for THE BETTERMENT OF HUMANKIND!

What is the whole recording process like for you?
Well it's gotten a lot easier. We work with a great producer, Zach Goheen, who tries to set up a relaxed atmosphere for us in the studio. We treat them as really well recorded live performances, so it's all about catching a feeling and not interfering with that too much.

What are the differences between music cultures in the U.S to the U.K?
I am not an expert on this, but one thing I have noticed is that radio still matters in the UK. There are personality driven shows on the BBC that still seem to have listeners across the country. That disappeared in the US a long time ago.

Why do you think that Americana is playing such a big part in the U.K?
Hmmm, well, I think the myth of the hard living bluesman or wandering country poet is still alive and well in the imagination of your country. Who knows why but thank god.

Any current artists you are big on at the moment?
Well you are catching me at the end of my summer- long obsession with the new Gillian Welch and David Rawlings record. They are just doing what they've always done, as good or better than ever. Inspiring. Love anything that Dan Auerbach does, solo or Black Keys.

Top three records of all time and why?
Ah man! Ok here goes, without thinking and I am gonna just go with the 3 that affected me the most - 1) Van Morrison, Astral Weeks. What was he 23 when this came out? It's such a tour de force. A guy just singing with so much purpose and force, with strange dreamscape poetry and a bunch of miraculous musicians just responding with so much intuitive understanding of whatever the shamen is wailing about. Truly nothing like it to this day.
Sam Cooke, The Essential Sam Cooke. There are better stand alone albums of his to choose from but this is the one I heard on my parents’ record player and changed my life forever. His melodic sense and timing probably influenced me more than any other singer.

Paul Simon, Graceland. Best fusion of words and melody with serious grooves…. Ever!

Wait I need a fourth! John Prine, John Prine. “Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery”, I heard that line and that was it. I knew I wasn't gonna do anything else with my life but write songs.

What’s the most important thing about what you do?
Well, we are making the world a better place, one child at a time - wait, no we're not! Ahhh, I don't know. I guess when people hear us and get moved by a harmony or a lyric. That's a little spiritual communion. Those can be hard to come by and they feel good. So that's something.