Just a few of months ago, prior to his moving to New York City, we sat down and had a conversation with Will McCranie, now he’s coming back for a show at Sky City with his buddy Jacob Beltz and a few other friends. So in celebration of “Willie Mac” coming back we spoke to Will about how things have been going since hitting the Big Apple.

LL – So you been at NYC a while, in classic TV fashion, what’s better, Green Acres or Park Avenue?

WM – Singing the theme to Green Acres on Park Avenue? It’s hard to point out but both have their perks for sure.

LL – So the last time we spoke, you had just worked out things to move to the Big Apple. What have you been working on SINCE moving?

WM – I’ve spent a lot of time writing, really working on my guitar playing… from a more rhythmic standpoint, not a “hey, look at me, Wayne’s World… I can wail!” standpoint. I’m really just trying
to find what accents my Augusta background the best. I really stands out on a bill up here.

LL – Now you took a little time off to get adjusted but recently you have been playing up a storm. Hows the feedback been so far?

WM – The break was great! I got to see the city, and get settled into work… find a new job, so Chuck Williams won’t worry about me selling charity babies on the street. I’ve been playing a lot the past month or so, and quickly found a group of folks that just keep asking me to play. It’s been a blessing. I got to do a really small stage of the Make Music New York Festival, but at the heart of it, I feel that was the whole point. Music everywhere, with hopefully as little ego attached as possible. So, far the reactions have been really great! They pick on my southern accent, but seem to get really into the sound, the songs, and the brutally blunt stories behind the songs… they’re more colorful sometimes than others. It’s been fun to try and change a vibe on folks, since no one knew me in the beginning… pull a serious, shhhhhh! set on time, and then get up and dance the next! Everyone wants to be a critic, but with the same token they’ll let you know it when they get into what you’re doing.

LL – Well the move seems to suit you. You’ve been posting new music online with talk of posting more. Has the New York vibe been a motivating factor?

WM – I’ve had a couple of my live sets recorded recently, so I’m really hoping to get a live offering together. It’s low budget, and if it comes across right, your best selling point. I got to thinking about the one time I met G. Love (courtesy of Chuck Lamback) at the Georgia Theatre. He is so laid back, but the man hustles like no one else in the industry. So I’ve been really trying to take that mentality… keep my MySpace updated, got an EPK together, and just working to keep things fresh.

LL – I think many people want to know what you been doing between work and music.

WM – Well delusions aside, I work at least 45 hours a week, for an online wedding planning service… Go ahead and laugh… I’ll give you a moment to swallow that one. It’s a fun place, and the folks I work with are really cool, and have turned me on to some really amazing music like Frightened Rabbit, The Dodos, and JUSTICE. I was actually told that I was hired because I was the only applicant with enough stones to acknowledge that I was passionate about something other than work, so they know I live for music, and seem to love that aspect of my personality. The other perk is my bosses are from the UK and New Zealand, so it’s safe to say we have our fair share of afterwork beverages. After work, I just try and either see or play as much music as possible. I’ve seen some really cool shows… The Bad Plus, P.Groove, Shawn Mullins’ CD Release Party… but the two highlights have really been Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden and watching Dead Confederate just kill some city kids in a little club on the Lower East Side.

LL – Speaking of things to do between all your NY stuff, you will be back here in the AUG in just a few days for a homecoming concert. How’d that come about?

WM – Well I haven’t played in Augusta since February, so I’m really stoked! I’ve really been itching to play with Jacob Beltz. I feel that he pushes me more on stage than anyone, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s my best friend. We had talked about it, so I sent an email to Coco in late March about maybe doing a Soul Bar gig on a Thursday… something small, no pressure. He got back to me and asked if I wanted to make it slightly’ bigger and do SKY CITY and have a few more “Friends” on the bill. The Soul Bar Message Board is a proud addiction of mine, so I’d seen nothing but great things about SKY CITY, and I have been pretty jealous that it came about after I moved.

LL – That’s a long way to play for one show!

WM – Well, I was coming home for a wedding… not mine… and I wanted to play. I wanted to throw a party and see the people who have essentially been an extended family to me for the past 5 years or so. At the end of the day that’s what I hope for this show… A party with some of my best friends, and some great acts that are also amazing friends.

LL – But seriously Will, now that you’ve gotten the whole NY thing out of your system…don’t you think it’s time to go ahead and move back?

WM – I think I’m going to be up here for a while. I’m really pushing the music. I’m seeing some really good things. I met a really amazing lady, who is ironically from South Carolina. Life is great.

LL – I know we’re just a little town compared to NYC but don’t you miss us just a little?

WM – More than you know. Augusta is home and I will always be back.

LL – OK so back at the beginning of the year…when you were just kinda contemplating this whole move thing, you put out a kind of “pre-release” version of a CD with new music. Will you be officially releasing that anytime soon?

WM – I think there are a few songs that will migrate onto the next release, but I think GREENEYES… will sort of stay where it is for now. I’ve enjoyed having something to give away, trade, hawk at will. As soon as I get the live sets mixed, I will be figuring out the next move.

LL – Speaking of new music, catch any “lokal” acts up there that you really dig?

WM – I saw a surprise four hour Dave Chappelle stand up set that I will never forget. He technically counts as “lokal” up here. My favorite songwriter that I’ve gotten to see a lot and really know is Rick Snyder. He has some of the best, quirkiest songs I’ve ever heard. Not to mention, he has something like 20 MySpace accounts, with different names/personalities for his styles. We jam a bit, and then I’ve been playing percussion for Shilo Andrews… imagine British Acoustic Rap. Not quite like The Streets, but it’s got a different sound about it that I’m really into.

LL – So what been your favorite place to play at in NYC so far?

WM – I’ve played some really cool rooms with a lot of history, so far. Kenny’s Castaways, The Sidewalk, The Baggot Inn… you’re talking being on stages that acts like Jeff Buckley, Aerosmith, Springsteen, The Ramones have all been on. It’s pretty intimidating/inspiring at the same time. My favorite, however, has been this thing we call Mic Club. It’s an open mic that has a different featured act, that plays an hour set, each week. Think Eddie’s Attic… no talking, no egos, but in a basement… similar to the Fox’s Lair, but a little bigger. People sitting on the floor, crammed in…just seeing what you’ve got.

LL – And fave place just to hang out?

WM – Saturday afternoons at Banjo Jim’s (9th and Ave C). Really cool open mic community, day drinking… and Adam Levy and Wavy Gravy are big fans of it, as well. Other than that, there is a really great pub called Slainte down on the Bowery. All Irish bartenders, and believe me they are straight off the boat… and they take care of me/pick on me about the same as the Metro crew always has… makes me feel at home!

LL – What’s been the hardest adjustment to make to far?

WM – I miss my family and friends, end of story. It’s hard to be away when there have been Lokal tragedies, and at the same time it’s hard to hear that one of your 2 best friends is getting married… just the feeling of things are happening without you being around.

LL – And you’re sure you’re not moving back?

WM – I think I’m doing what I need to be doing… at least for now.

LL – Alright Will…you know we love you down here in the sticks!

WM – See you soon man!

Will McCranie with Special Guests Jacob Beltz, John Krueger, Billy S & Carey Murdock
9PM, Thursday July 10th at Sky City 1157 Broad Street
www.myspace.com/willmccranie