experience
Eddy Green isn’t a Manhattan native, but the work he has done in the last four years to enhance and promote the local music scene cannot be ignored. A soulful singer-songwriter and guitar picker from Kentucky, Green ventured to the Little Apple in 2011 to pursue a doctorate in sociology at Kansas State University. “Having been a professional musician for the previous decade back home and traveling around the country, I had passed Exit 313 on Interstate 70 but had never visited Manhattan before moving here,” Green says. “I’ve grown to really love the Flint Hills.” The success of indie music depends on someone opening up opportunities for these artists, and Green is certainly one of the driving forces in Manhattan. He hosts “Underground Sounds,” a show held the first Tuesday every month at Auntie Mae’s Parlor, where he shares the bill with guest artists. What do you think about the music scene in MHK? The music scene here is great from an artist’s perspective. But it’s also important to mention how hard it is to get folks out to live music these days. While big corporate concerts—arena shows, for example—are still bringing people out, local music struggles to fill venues most of the time. Tell us about your night at Auntie Mae’s. What’s the story behind it? I have said many times that the world would be a better place if all venues were owned and run by folks like Jeff Denny. Few folks support music and are as big a fan as Jeff. We have been doing “Underground Sounds” for almost two years. I also have to give a shout-out to David
Spiker, who runs sound and has been a staple artist in the MHK scene for years. This gives me the ability to work out new material and work on sets that I can take on the road when I travel to play. “Underground Sounds” also allows me to regularly work with other local and traveling singer-songwriters. Tell us about your latest album. My latest project, Transients, is a collaboration with Mike West and Danny McGaw (of Wells the Traveler). Mike and his partner, Katie West, live in Lawrence and tour all over the world as Truckstop Honeymoon. Mike and Katie had produced my first solo album, There’s No Place Like Home, which was released in 2013 (digital
release made available in 2014) I was eager to work and record again with Mike at his studio, the 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor. Transients is a record by three artists from very different places that met up here in the Midwest. Folks can get the new album at Sisters of Sound record store. Speaking of which, I have a new 45 coming out in April for Record Store Day, entitled “Bottomland.” Who are your Top 3 MHK musicians to look out for this spring? Is this a trick question? (Editor’s note: It was—you caught us!) I’ve
met lots of great musicians here in MHK. I’m a fan of the Haymakers, Field Day Jitters, Parallel Path, Carney Encore, Starving in Style, The Mathematics, M-31, Joshua Jay, Jessica Paige, Tabor Rucker and several others. Is music soon going to share the spotlight with a career fueled by your sociology degree? I have, sometimes with great difficulty, infused both my academic life and my musical life. My life experience as an artist has helped me with sociology. Vice versa, many of my colleagues know my music as well, if not better than, my scholarship. I’m not exactly sure how both of these life skills and career paths unfold, but that is part of the excitement forward. I will say that having two muses to draw from keeps me from being bored or without something to work toward. In the end, I’m looking for a fulfilling and examined life. Can we expect you to stay in Manhattan? My time in Manhattan is, unfortunately, coming to an end by this time next year. I have enjoyed the Flint Hills tremendously and met some brilliant artists and academics alike. While Manhattan has been a formative chapter in my life, my partner, Heather Branham, and I must continue on our paths forward. I intend on pursuing life as a scholar and professional songwriter. I have written songs about the heart-wrenching process of leaving southern Appalachia. I can imagine writing some about our experiences in the Midwest. That being said, we don’t know where the next chapter of our journey will unfold.
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manhattan magazine