by Sarah Davis in Features, Interviews, News, Soul

Now, needless to say, kids, Marc Broussard is "kind of a big deal around here", to quote Ron Burgundy. The fact that he gave us an interview is quite possibly cause for doing a stupid little dance and acting rather silly. Marc is currently on tour promoting his new album, 'Save Our Soul', and this interview is about that and a few other, completely unrelated things. Enjoy! Twangville: First off, thanks so much for taking the time, I know you're in the middle of a soundcheck for tonight. Marc: Not at all, I've got all the time in the world. T: The songs you've chosen for this album [S.O.S.] are all by well-known songwriters and performers, but I think I'm safe in saying that these are not some of their best-known songs. What made you choose these particular tracks? M: It's basically a concept record to do a bunch of soul tunes. I didn't want to do the best known songs of all time, I wanted to do some b-sides that weren't as well known. I wanted to introduce these soul songs to a younger generation. T: Since so many of your shows get recorded, and then released in 3- and 4-track samplers, would you ever consider releasing all your favorite b-sides of your own performances, or is that kind of what S.O.S. has been for you already? M: There's always gonna be a time when we're gonna release songs that we never really get to do that everyone really wants to hear. T: I've come across some studio recordings that aren't on any of your albums. Some of them are listed as being from the Woodland Sessions, but try as I might I cannot find any information about that, so could you fill me in? M: It's basically just a name for all the never-released demos and all the songs that get posted on the website. T: I know you started playing with your dad when you were pretty young and you've said many times that he's a huge musical influence. How old were you when you actually began performing with him and what was it like? M: I was 5 and a half when I performed with my dad for the first time, and I learned to play guitar at 11. Mostly I used to just follow him around to all the gigs he had in the area. T: One of my favorite sings I've heard you cover live is James Taylor's 'Never Die Young'. Is this a song you grew up with? M: That whole album was definitely something I grew up with. 'Never Die Young' was really crucial in the writing of the song 'Wanderer". T: Is there any person or group you would really like to perform or work with that you haven't yet? M: Stevie Wonder, because he is the phattest man alive. T: Can I quote you on that? M: [laughs] Absolutely. T: Okay now for the random questions. What's your favorite thing you've read recently? M: '10 Stupid Things Men Do To Mess Up Their Lives' by Dr. Laura Schlessinger T: What's your favorite city to travel to for fun? M: Probably New York City, I really do love it there, but I love the beach, too. So New York City or any beach town in Florida T: What's one new artist you're really excited about right now? M: Sons of William T: What's your favorite thing about touring? M: The people I work with. They're my best friends. T: Who's your favorite artist to see perform? M: Prince. I saw him on the Musicology tour 2 1/2 - 3 years ago and it was amazing. T: What's been your favorite venue to perform in thus far? M: That would have to be a tie between the Fillmore in San Francisco and the Beacon in New York. T: Who are some of your favorite songwriters? M: Stevie Wonder, for sure, James Taylor, Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye. T: Okay, now for the stereotypical last question. Now that you've done this album, what's next for you? M: I don't know. We're gonna go into the studio and record an original album at some point in the next year, and for the moment just keep touring and promoting the new album. T: Well, good luck with everything and thanks so much for your time. M: Not at all, thank you.