Chris Thile: The Evan Toth Interview, 4/19/23

Musical genre can be a very limiting place; it can put fences around the aspirations and creations of musicians, but it can also cause the listener to stay in their own little world without branching out to explore things that they might also enjoy. It takes a strong group of musicians to move beyond those confines and a loyal and dedicated horde of fans and followers who are ready, willing and able to go wherever their favorite artist chooses to lead them.
For all intents and purposes, Nickel Creek is a bluegrass band and features Chris Thile (mandolin), and siblings Sara Watkins (fiddle) and Sean Watkins (guitar), but they stretch the barriers of the genre and bring their fans along for the ride. Believe it, or not, even though the band members are all in their early to mid-40s they have been performing together since the late 80s and so they can read each other's thoughts musically - and probably otherwise. They have a brand new album on the shelves this year (Their first release since 2014) called Celebrants and while it may be a bluegrass record it is unbound by the confines of any genre: it’s an exciting musical exploration by three excellent musicians with a potent mixture of artistic symmetry and collegiality.
One of those three excellent musicians - Chris Thile - joins me on this episode to discuss the new Nickel Creek album, of course, but to also engage me in a free-flowing conversation about sound, music, composition, working with others, creation and his own personal musical restlessness and a lifetime of discovery. This talk is a chance to look into the mind of a musician who is always looking out.

[@paulyancey4899]

Great Interview. Chris and his insights are very personal to me. I first met Chris in the mid 1980s at the Julian Bluegrass Festival where he was picking under an oak tree. I ask him, “who taught you to play like that” as I was astonished at the 10 year old who played so well. Chris introduced me to John Moore who agreed to teach me mandolin after a year of persistent requests. John is charismatic and a great inspiration, the bluegrass style and competitions were a great motivator to set goals. Chris had won them and moved on to Nashville leaving a void in the San Diego contests for me to set my sights on. John and Chris are my musical hero’s so I enjoy any opportunity to hear them speak. I am looking forward to hear more from them and maybe attend the acoustic camp.

[@evantoth]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Much appreciated.

[@xHektorx]

Chris Thile is, without a doubt in my admittedly un-musical mind, the most talented musician of my generation. His range of genres is impressive, and his ability to work with so many different artists and his amazing command of Live From Here (NPR, bring it back!!!!) -- I just can't think of anyone close to him in terms of range of talent. Thanks for bringing an interview with him :)

[@evantoth]

He is an incredibly talented and intelligent person. I hope to speak with him again one of these days!

[@dougierichardson484]

He is very hateable and a horrible person. Even his bandmates with both Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers hate him, and only tolerate him due to his mucial talent and what an asset he is to their group.

[@xHektorx]

@@dougierichardson484 I've not really heard/read much about him as a person - if you have any links on that I'd give it a look, but it seems a lot of geniuses are difficult to be around. This may be an odd list of examples, but Groucho Marx was condescending to anyone who wasn't musical, Seinfeld is a comic genius and seeming misanthrope, Bill Monroe was apparently a tough son of a gun, and I've heard that about Andy Griffith, Jay Leno, Ellen, and many other famous musicians and comedians (the link being in performing, for whatever that's worth). I'm not a genius, so I guess I have one less thing to worry about on that front personally! :)

[@C2C.]

One of my favorite interviews...this peek into Chris and the band's thought processes is pure gold -- a big bonus on top of a long-hoped for Nickel Creek album! Would have loved insights like this one on "Meadow" for every track. I hope there will be another acoustic camp, too, and I'm beyond excited about the musical/variety podcast -- still miss Live From Here every weekend!

[@evantoth]

So glad you enjoyed it and that you took the time to go on the deep dive with us. I really enjoyed speaking with Chris!

[@andrewbowen6875]

The stuff with Michael Daves is unbelievable

[@swayzestyle]

Easily one of the top tier bluegrass duo's ever!

[@joshlovegood9392]

That was a great interview Evan. Thanks for that. The Meadow is a brilliant tune. It's revelatory.

[@evantoth]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it and - yes - I think it’s still my fave tune though I need to spin it a few more times. ✌️

[@JustFiddler]

chris thile adalah pahlawaku😊. Matur suksma

[@tylerapsley7298]

Wow loved hearing the story behind The Meadow, my favorite song on the record as well.

[@evantoth]

A great tune! 👍

[@stewartwerner3338]

I wish I had the money to listen to vinyl as it was meant to be heard. I can't even afford a premium service for a music app (I'm a college student, so I'm not trying to cry poverty). One day I shall though!

[@evantoth]

You don’t need a ton of dough to enjoy the sonic benefits of vinyl. A U-Turn turntable, some Elac speakers and a nicely serviced vintage receiver will get you there! Start small and build from there. Good luck

[@andrewmarshall5379]

But imagine Bill Monroe recorded nowadays with ones and zeros

[@keithhunter3910]

Swimming lessons with Shamu!

[@andrewmarshall5379]

DON'T SQAURE OFF THE WAMEFORM!

[@kyleray9945]

Is it just me or would he look super friggin good bald....

[@johnxavier8732]

couldn't look any worse, I love Chris, but he's never been concerned about his hair.