Mike Doughty, indie pop artist formally of Soul Coughing, recently released his second major solo record, "Golden Delicious," to solid reviews. It's a free-wheeling follow-up to 2005's "Haughty Melodic." Immediately following the release, he started his own micro-label, appropriately called Snack Bar. He also deejays a show called Dubious Luxury at The Knitting Factory, a popular New York City club. In short, he's got his hands in a lot of pies.
"With 'Haughty Melodic,' it was layer upon layer upon layer," Doughty said in an interview. But with "'Golden Delicious' it was pretty much a straight shot."
Much of "Golden Delicious" was recorded live in studio, giving the album a funky, go-with-the-flow feel. That same attitude exists in all of Doughty's projects.
His DJ gig, Dubious Luxury, is an improvisational electronic-beat project.
"I've kind of been on an electro binge," Doughty said. And Snack Bar, his new label project, has the relaxed feel of a hobby - his side project, so to speak.
"I'm not putting him in the van, he's not sleeping on the bus like the rhythm section," Doughty said of his new label. "It's super low-maintenance."
Yet his laid-back approach doesn't seem to hamper his success. Instead, he's found a formula that pulls in listeners from around the nation.
"I have a band that is very much leaning towards the groovy," he said, speaking of his band's ability to launch into foot-stomping pop-jams.
Doughty's vocals often contribute to the jam as well, building the sound with syncopation. Oftentimes, he abandons lyrics all together, preferring to flow with vocalizations such as "bums," "dengs" and "na-nas."
"Some people are upset because I'm a poetry guy and I'm sticking with the na-nas, but I love na-nas," Doughty said.
Doughty learned lyrical poetry from professor Sekou Sundiata at New School University in New York City where alternative folk maven Ani DiFranco was in his class. In 2003, his book of poetry, "Slanky," was published. He credits Sundiata on the first page of the liner notes for "Golden Delicious."
"He was the guy that taught me how to be me," Doughty said. "He had a very broad philosophy that I just kind of fell into."
When asked if the "na-nas" contributed at all to his poetry, Doughty replied, "It's not like I ever sit down and say, 'I'm going to do x, y, or z.' It all just sort of happens."
Doughty's personal life has also been rather spontaneous, leading him to locations all over the world. (He talks about his travels on his blog at www.mikedoughty.com/blog.) But of all the places to be right now, Doughty said, "Berlin is the place. It's like art city! Music and DJs and the visual arts and theater and film. It's exploding out there."
But for now Doughty will stay in the states, touring with his funky band and loosey-goosey vibe. The tour begins March 12th, stopping in at the 9:30 club April 5th.
"Ah, the 9:30 club, one of the best venues in America, for sure," he said.
Until then, check out Doughty's new album "Golden Delicious" in stores now, which includes new single "27 Jennifers"
