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Singer, songwriter, producer and rock god Butch Walker is back with his sophomore solo release. Letters is a stripped-down collection of songs in comparison to his high-octane solo debut, Left of Self-Centered, but there is nothing lost in the translation because Butch is one of the best rock songwriters to grace the planet. We got to talk to Butch while he was on the road gearing up for the official release of Letters, which hit the streets August 24.


Mike Farley: The new record, Letters, has typically great songwriting that we’ve all come to expect from you, but is a bit stripped down musically. Was that planned?
Butch Walker: Yes.

MF: When is the official release date? What are your plans for touring so far?
BW: August 24th. I’m touring now. Check...one…two…. Is this thing on? I’m going to go to Japan and take them over and become the ambassador. Do they have ambassadors?

MF: What is the songwriting process like for you?
BW: It’s like living in a daydream. Nah, I’m kidding. I don't know, I just come up with certain ways to rhyme about shit that people talk about but don't usually put into song, I guess.

MF: What is a typical day in the life of Butch Walker like?
BW: Right now I’m on the bus, watching a Russian art film and eating rare and expensive figs with a glass of Amarone Classico in a glass made of fine china. My life rules!

MF: You are becoming one of the most sought after producers. What has been your most rewarding project to date?
BW: Probably the one that I just did for myself, my own record. Is it wrong for me to like me more than I do others? Probably.

MF: Who are your influences as a songwriter?
BW: Costello, Joel, Waits, Durst (kidding).

MF: What are you listening to now?
BW: Jamie from American Hifi bitching about the customer service at Circuit City. In a minute I’m going to put in the new record by The Shore. Then I’m going to listen to my new record to see if I still like it.

MF: If you could meet one musician, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
BW: It would be Elvis Costello. But I’d want him to be alive when I do.

MF: What goals do you have for the next five years?
BW: To live five more years. And play music that makes my mom happy. I am paying her back for playing music that made her sad for all those years.

MF: Do you have any funny stories from the road?
BW: One time, Jamie from American Hifi started bitching about the customer service at Circuit City....

MF: What’s the craziest thing you’ve asked for on a rider?
BW: For Prince's hot tub.

MF: What are some other hobbies and interests you have?
BW: Reading and studying books on the history of hobbies and interests.

MF: Take a look at our site, Bullz-Eye.com, and let me know who your favorite girl is on the site.
BW: I like them all. They seem like nice, quiet types.

MF: Any final thoughts or things you want to plug on Bullz-Eye,com?
BW: Never try to teach a pig to sing. It’s a waste of time and it annoys the pig.

Butch Walker is on tour now and his new album, Letters, is now available. For more on Butch, visit ButchWalker.com. 


Send any questions or comments to mfarley@bullz-eye.com.