The Ravenna Colt. A powerful name for a powerful band with an album full of pure emotions and reverberated atmospheres. We reviewed it quite recently and thanks to the very kind people of Karate Body Records, Tonan and Sam got to e-mail Johnny Quaid, who answered our questions post haste.

1. Why did The Ravenna Colt chose music to be its means to communicate to the world?
I’m a terrible painter and athlete, so music seemed like an obvious choice.

2. Your music has a high content of texture and detail, providing the listener with a multi-layered experience. What’s your philosophy when mixing your tracks?
I love simple music, but as an artist, I love to create texture and depth. My philosophy on mixing is to create layers that allow all of the sounds in the song to exist on their own plane but also be harmonious within the song, finding a home for each sound.

3. You have given to the world a spacey (as in trying to reach the skies), dreamy type of country like no other. In this sense and while writing songs, what’s your main driving force/inspiration? How do you complement your main idea/riff?
Thanks! I don’t think I can put a name on any specific inspiration or driving force, I guess just a love of music and similar therapeutic desires. I honestly think it’s a culmination of life experiences and growing up in such an amazing place as Kentucky, it exudes creativity.

4. Behind any piece of art there’s a story. From all your songs in Slight Spell, which one is the story you enjoyed telling to the world the most and why?
The first line in “South of Ohio” is “I lost my drawl in California.” People in California were surprised that I didn’t have a thick, southern drawl. I just started to tell people I lost it when I made a wrong turn in Albuquerque.

5. If it’s okay, could we talk about the lyrics in Slight Spell? They feel very heartfelt and I’m intrigued by ‘If Josie wails can fail’ (feels really heartbreaking), ‘Now to begin’ and ‘According to the Matador.’
Sure. That’s a very accurate observation. When I write lyrics, they are painfully personal. I just don’t know of another way to write. ‘Josie’ is heartbreaking and sobering. It’s the realization that your heroes are flawed and human and possibly not heroes at all. ‘Now to begin’, and ‘Matador’ are similar in message. They speak of time and its disappearance and of starting over.

6. Talking about music success and bands. What is more enjoyable for you, playing for a big venue or small auditorium?
I have been very fortunate in my career to perform at both. I love the thrill of a huge festival or theatre, but there is nothing like connecting to an audience in an intimate atmosphere. I love performing in a dark, cozy little club.

7. Can you tell us some history about Removador Records and your current plans? Really enjoyed The Fervor (we reviewed them in February).
Removador is just an infant in this musical jungle. Jim (James) and I really wanted a platform for artists that are near and dear to our heart. I like to think of it as a collective, a community of artists working together, introducing their friends and fans to each others’ music. The Fervor is some of Kentucky’s finest exports and possibly the hardest working band out there.

8. It feels like vinyl is becoming more and more the standard format of release for albums these days. What do you think of the format? On that note, it seems some bands are embracing tape cassettes too, would you consider them too?
Vinyl is amazing! I’ve heard records on vinyl that I’ve heard all my life digitally, and when I hear the vinyl, it feels like I’m hearing it for the first time. I don’t get too excited about just a digital release, my primitive mind refuses to believe it exists unless I can hold it in my bare hands. I’ve played in bands, in my youth, that released cassettes, and yes, I would love to see a resurgence in analog media! Maybe the next album will include a tape!

9. Any plans for touring, not only in America, but countries like Mexico or the United Kingdom?
Yes. I’ve done some selective touring in the U.S., and I plan to perform more next year. I would absolutely love to tour abroad again. I’ll keep you posted.

10. I read about your move to California and then going back to your studio, Above the Cadillac. What drove you back home?
Yeah, that was a great adventure for me. Well, to be honest, my brother and I took turns driving my 2000 Chevy Silverado. We ate ribs and BBQ and drank the cheapest beer we could find. It was truly a bonding experience, and highly recommend it. On a side note, we made the trip without and iPod; we only had a cassette player. I put all my cassettes in the back seat, and we just dug through them as we drove.

11. Last one, we’ve been keeping an eye on the Kentucky scene since February this year. Loads of great acts (The Fervor, Shipping News and a long etc.) there. Any other bands you’d like to recommend to us? How’s the arts scene in Kentucky?
Art is synonymous with Kentucky. In Kentucky, we create art the way some people create food or drink, and inherently it keeps us from eating and drinking too much. But sadly we somehow always drink too much. You HAVE to check out Wax Fang, and a band called the Debutantes a.k.a. Les Debutantes. They released a box set of 100 songs featuring every local musician in Louisville for their debut. I’m waiting to see how they can follow that up for the second record.

Thank you guys so much. Please come visit KY someday!

Above is the video for “South Of Ohio.” It is the first song off “Slight Spell,” the debut release from The Ravenna Colt.

The Ravenna Colt is the solo project of Johnny Quaid, a founding member of My Morning Jacket who performed on the band’s first three albums, “The Tennessee Fire,” “At Dawn” and “It Still Moves,” as well as countless EPs.

The video for “South Of Ohio” was shot this past July in Oldham County, Ky., by William Wallace on a Canon 5D Mark II.

“Johnny and I met a few times last spring to discuss the song, and from those conversations, I really got a sense that this song was about a journey and personal growth at its core,” Wallace said. “I really tried to approach the shoot from an outsider watching with that viewpoint. I wanted it to be as organic and as voyeuristic as possible to give a feel of viewing an unforced self-exploration process. The old man kind of represents a ‘guide,’ if you will.”

For nearly a decade, Wallace has worked on commercials, reality shows and big budget films, including a concept video for SonaBLAST recording artist Ben Sollee and Sub Pop’s Daniel Martin Moore. Wallace is on his way to southern Sudan for the third time to shoot a feature film called “Grace Surpasses.”

“Slight Spell” is for sale at our webstore. Digital version is available from Removador.

Purchase The Ravenna Colt’s debut, “Slight Spell” here and digital here. Fans of KCRW, “Slight Spell” has been added to the station’s library!

Lucky Pineapple (12:30 p.m., July 10, East Stage) and its horny rhythm romp “Kablooey” appears on The Yellow Belt, a limited edition split 7-inch with Chicago’s Prizzy Prizzy Please, who contribute “Super Volcano.” Prizzy is on a U.S. tour now, so be sure to check out when they’re arriving, like a bright white UFO in the night.

The Fervor (6 p.m., July 11, North Stage) and its previously unreleased single, “No Apology” appears on The Green Belt split 7-inch with Cincinnati favorites and tourmates Wussy. Stay tuned for more as The Fervor’s finishing up work on its new album, Arise, Great Warrior.

The Ravenna Colt (8 p.m., July 11, North Stage) limited-edition, hand-numbered LP “Slight Spell” is in stores now. Each LP comes with a free download. He’s performing a free in-store show at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, at CD Central in Lexington, Ky. These will be the last two shows in the area for Colt ringleader John Quaid before he relocates to Boise, Idaho later this summer. More shows and video news on the way.

As well, Maiden Radio, featuring Cheyenne Mize, performs July 9 on the North Stage, as does Whistle Peak on Sunday, July 11. Both artists are featured on our inaugural release, Louisville Is For Lovers Vol. 9, available now in double LP on limited edition red-and-white marble vinyl. Mize’s duet album with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Among The Gold, is available as a special MP33.3 release from Think Indie.

Tonight, Johnny Quaid, a.k.a. The Ravenna Colt performs at Southgate House Parlor in Newport, before a hometown show Monday, May 17 at The Brown Theatre in Louisville with Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band. Ticket information for the Brown show is available here. The Colt’s debut LP, “Slight Spell,” is available now on limited edition hand-numbered vinyl with free download. CDs are available at the shows, and you can buy it digitally via Removador Recordings & Solutions.

Check it.