Barn Doors & Concrete Floors' came out about half a year ago, and it seems like you've been busy ever since. Has it basically just been one long stretch of highways and honky tonks?

I have definitely been busy with the new record.  Keeping busy is always preferred, you know the whole idle hands thing is bad news.  But in between this tour and April's, I played a number of East Coast shows and then I packed all of my belongings and am moving to a country ranch or something in Texas.  I haven't found the ranch yet, but New York and I have parted ways.  It's still amicable, totally.  

Then here's the obvious question: how much has New York formed you as a songwriter? And why have you moved? Doesn't that make you the first songwriter to actually move AWAY from New York?  

I think New York has given me a maturity as a song writer.  I think it has  a lot to do with the city itself as the elephant in the room.  It's always there and it's always so obvious.  
But, I'm ready for something new.  I would like to buy a small farm or something with land.  After not having any space in NYC for the last 4 years, a house sounds so cool.  I need a four wheeler too maybe?  

You've had a great amount success over here in Europe. Are you still convinced that it's because of your "Euro-friendly" haircut, or have hanging out at the bar after your shows given you a new insight into why we Europeans gravitate towards this music of yours?

I think a hair cut is a window to the soul an all, but am not sure that gets me too many props over hear.  I think Europeans have a more classical sense to the concept of being an audience member.  They really participate if you give them a reason to.  Fortunately, we can give a reason for them to keep on going, they definitely give me a reason to.

You've probably answered this question a bunch of times, but can you tell me about the making of the record? There's a lot of good things to be said about Steve Shelley, but being the drummer from Sonic Youth doesn't exactly put you at the top of the list of most-used producers in Americana, does it?

Steve is the best.  He has such a deep passion for music that it would probably surprise a lot of people.  It's really that simple.  I thought he would do a great job and he really did.  He let me create and take the reigns and I can't thank him enough for giving me a new outlook on the process of actually making a record.Making the record was a true artistic experience for all of us.  We are completely submerged in making music from the time we woke up to the time we went to bed.  There was no mobile phone reception and like one computer with very slow internet.  We were out there in the woods and we came back a bit changed by the whole thing.

Ah, the cabin in the woods. Why do you think desolate and isolated surroundings in the middle of bloody nowhere have become the weapons of choice for this new generation of folk singers? Bon Iver did it, the Felices did it and now you. Is it because we're living in a scary post-9/11 world where we all need to return to something safe or intimate? Or is it simply because you all can't afford the top-shelf producers with their entourage of recording machinery and naked supermodels hanging out on the studio sofa (I suspect this is what goes on in T-Bone's studio)

Well, the woods setting is growing as an alternative to studios for a lot of us.  I think the main reason people do it is to simply get out, to turn out, turn off.  There is absolutely nothing to do in the country setting except to play fucking music.  And you will ALWAYS hear that too.  There's something special in it.

The video for Drown is very interesting. I'm really fuckin' bad at analyzing music videos, so could you please explain some of the imagery in the video? The story is basically about you getting your arse kicked by a litterature-loving abominable snowman...

I think I'm really fucking bad at acting, so maybe it was my lack of thespian skill that really made it confusing?  In honesty, we wanted to create suspense that only video can capture.  And come on, the imagery?  It's about the abominable snowman being a bad ass pugilist and an avid reader of American Literature.  

A lot of your songs have what I would call a "gothic storytelling perspective", and despite the fact that I'm not sure that makes any sense at all, I hear a lot of mystery, American history and tragedy in your songs. Or is it just me?

Gothic.  That sounds cool, thank you.  Most of the songs on the record are completely stories about me, a couple others are simply stories that I read of true events that really moved me.  All of the songs though share a piece of me woven throughout.  Life kind of is a giant story and I just want to talk about it as much as possible.

For those who haven't yet experienced you in concert, can you give a few pointers as to what to expect from your performances? Will there be dancing? Pyrotechnics? The chance of a hug at the merch-table after the show?

Be prepared for loudness.  I mean, if you don't want to hear my monitor mix and an earful of guitar, don't belly up to the stage.  I think what I do on stage may constitute as 'dancing' in a few places in the world.  You can dance too, though, everyone is welcome to dance.  We do have our own props this tour.  Pretty substantial props for an indie band I think.  You have to come see them, I won't tell you what it is.  Come one come all and find out.  There's even a hug or two involved.

Israel Nash Gripka's highly recommendable second album Barn Doors And Concrete Floors is out now. His UK tour starts September 29th at the Green Door Store in Brighton and finishes on October 9th in Winchester.