Anthology

More with John McEuen

by Casey Pukl

As promised, here is part three of our interviews with the McEuens! Today, we’re back for part 2 with John discussing his songwriting process, who inspires him most, and just why he decided to turn the tables and start interviewing others after over 12,000 interviews in the hot seat!

CP: I’d love to get right into your songwriting process. What do you find really inspires you?

JM: It’s strange; I often have to give myself an assignment. I need to get something done by next Friday or I will not play for a couple of days, then I’ll pick up an instrument, turn on a recorder, and just see what comes out. I’ve got four or five of what I think are really nice little instrumentals that have come out in the last few months, and those are just by picking a nice key, finding a melody, and then I sometimes find myself writing a piece of music that seems to come together effortlessly. Those are the ones I really like.  Sometimes there are other pieces that are more crafted. I’ll sit down and get the first half, and then two months later I’ll get the second half.

CP: Do you use any special programs or drum loops when you’re writing at all? Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Nathan McEuen

by: Casey Pukl 

Yesterday, we got to see what working with Nathan & Jonathan McEuen was like for their father, John. Today, in part 2 of the McEuen Sessions, we’re talking to Nathan McEuen about working with his father and brother, and just how he’s sold 30,000 records out of the back of his car!

CP: Tell me what it’s been like working on this latest record and touring with your dad!

NM: Well, the record really came together a lot better than I ever could’ve imagined. Once we knew what we wanted to do, it was like working with the best people in the studio that I ever could’ve imagined. We’ve been playing music together as a family for over twenty years. It just seems normal after a while. That’s just what we do. There are ups and downs with it, but it’s really easy for me to let go of the low parts and just focus on the really positive stuff.

CP: Has it been interesting to see everyone’s musical influences come together?

NM: Well, we come from a similar place, but we definitely had different influences growing up. If I remember correctly, Jonathan was more into Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, learned all the Beatles songs that he could when he started playing, that whole thing. My dad was more into Earl Scruggs and The Dillards. I was more into Green Day, Nirvana, and more alternative grunge style groups. We’ve all played on so many different styles of records and played with so many bands, that when we all get together, it seems like we form this very eclectic but new sounding thing. We call it Americana, but it encompasses a lot of different styles like country, bluegrass, folk, and it makes for a really great show. Read the rest of this entry »

 An Interview with John McEuen

by Casey Pukl 

If there’s one thing that’s evident when talking to John McEuen, it’s that he’s like any other parent who is proud of their children. It’s just that not everyone elses’ kids have played with Dave Mason, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels, or sold 20,000 records out of the back of their car. Needless to say, McEuen has a lot to be proud of.

This interview is going to be in a bit of a different format than most- mostly because there was a ton of ground to cover, and I couldn’t bring myself to cut much of these interviews. So today, I’ll bring you part 1 of my chat with John McEuen, tomorrow you’ll get part 2, which is my chat with Nathan McEuen, and then later this week, part 3 will be more with John! Get ready, y’all, because you’re in for a treat. Read on to find out what John’s experience has been like playing with his two sons!

CP: What has it been like working with your kids on this latest project?

JM: Well, I don’t think of them as kids anymore. I grew up with then when they were kids, and then they started getting into music. They’re now 31 and 35, and they’re really on their own in their own right. My young men are now the couple of session players that I would hire for my own projects. I got the players that I wanted, and I happened to be related to them, so it was a good thing! It’s really a wonderful thing. Read the rest of this entry »

Mojo & More

by: Casey Pukl

Kiwifruit are proof that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. These brown, fuzzy, egg shaped fruits look quite creepy from the outside, but once you cut into them and discover the gorgeous green color and delicious sweetness, there’s nothing that will stop you from digging straight in with a spoon.

This week, Sous Chef Kristen Burman (the sous chef formerly known as Kristen Williams) and beverage manger Marc Canzoneri decided to show off the kiwi in both sweet and savory concoctions. From a spicy traditional Cuban dish to a cocktail that will leave you feeling like a million bucks, read on to find out what this week’s special is!

Kiwi Mojo-Marinated Prawns with Black Beans & Crispy Prosciutto Read the rest of this entry »

Roasted Beets, Confit Duck Cassoulet, & a Homemade Pasta

by: Casey Pukl

There’s no time quite like spring for so many reasons. The weather is gorgeous, the sun is up longer each day, and Chef Todd Allison and his incredible team are cooking up some amazing new dishes for our menu in the Anthology kitchen! Check out these three awesome selections from our latest menu!

Maple Leaf Farms Confit Duck Leg Cassoulet

White Beans, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Tuscan Kale, Rosemary Jus

This dish is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. With a crispy skin on the outside, the duck meat on the inside is so tender that you’ll find it difficult to put into words. The bed of vegetables and white beans on the bottom is soaked in a delicious rosemary jus that will fill your senses with the aromas of spring.

This entree is the perfect portion size to fill you up, but it won’t weigh you down. Pair it with a lighter red wine or a bolder white, and enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »