Kevin Tihista is an artist who combines dreamy, lush melodies with simple, memorable, sometimes sarcastic lyrics. His work is compared to Elliott Smith and Big Star. He played bass in the Chicago rock band 3FastAction. His new recording Juno comes out this month. It's another wonderful recording from the people at Parasol. We posed a few questions to Kevin about his career and the new recording.

DF: Your new recording Juno comes out this month. The new recording Juno is apparently the other half of what was supposed to be a 2 CD recording along with the first CD, Don't Breathe a Word. Why did your first label decide to release just the selected tracks on Don't? I think the two recordings together would have had a nice flow. Was that frustrating for you? Discuss the rationale behind separating the music into two CDs. Do you agree?

KT: I would have liked for it to stay a double record, but Atlantic thought that would be a bad idea. Maybe sometime down the road I'll repackage it as a double record.

DF: I have always felt that the Chicago area is home to some of the finest artists. I believe that right now, with your CD, the new Wilco, many of the Parasol bands, Chamber Strings and others, some of the finest recordings in the last few years are being made right now in Chicago. Is there a scene there? Do people/artists communicate?

KT: Yes, it is very tight knit scene. I think that the only band in town that I don't know is Wilco.

DF: How do you write: guitar first, or melody first?

KT: Both at the same time, if I don't get the lyrics and melody while I'm writing the guitar part, I can't finish the song.

DF: Has it been exciting to finally be out front after so many years as a bass player?

KT: It was hard at first, but I'm actually beginning to like it.

DF: How do you feel about the Elliott Smith, Nick Drake and Big Star comparisons? Are any of these artists major influences in your work, or are you merely writing from an introspective perspective, causing such comparisons to be made?

KT: I couldn't tell you one Elliott Smith song or Big Star song, so it is kind of weird.

DF: You are described as a self-confessed recluse. Do you find that time alone really allows you to challenge yourself and develop ideas? Do you tap into something that you couldn't if you felt more comfortable being around lots of people? I think being a recluse causes you to fine tune exactly what you want without influence. Do you agree or disagree.

KT: It's true I don't get out very much, and yes it's true that it helps me in my song writing.

DF: As a songwriter, you are described as a writer who took time to become a finisher of songs. From listening, it seems that that occurred only because you may have had no time working on other's stuff. I believe that an unfinished song is merely an idea, not a song. Describe what it felt like when you realized you were writing complete "songs". Did people close to you encourage your playing and writing? Was it discouraged because of its mellower vibe?

KT: I had always played in rock bands so when I did try to write, I couldn't do it because I can't really write Rock songs. But when I started writing for myself it became easy and I could finish songs, and that was very exciting. People were very supportive and actually encouraged me because of it's mellower vibe.

DF: You worked with Ellis Clark, the producer who did The June & Exit Wounds and Chambers Strings recordings. Were you pleased with the sounds he got on this Juno and Don't Breathe A Word?

KT: Yes, very pleased. He is so very good at what he does.

DF: Talk about your musical influences.

KT: "The Hurting" by Tears for Fears is my favorite record as well as "The Queen is Dead" by the Smiths, and "Kiss Alive Two" by Kiss, although I don't sound like any of those bands. Well, ... maybe Kiss.

DF: Where we can we buy the new recording?

KT: It should be out in stores now or you can go to my website kevintihista.com or parasol.com

DF: Will you be touring and where?

KT: No tour plans as of yet, but my website will keep you posted.

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