JamBase Questionnaire: Ryan Montbleau Band

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Welcome back to JamBase's baker's dozen to the bright lights of the music world. Last time we heard from Spiritual Rez.

Being effortlessly charming and pumping out highly infectious music with a quickness seems to come easy to the Ryan Montbleau Band. For this bunch "pop" isn't an ugly word. Montbleau's tunes possess the sort of wide reach that lodges records in car stereos, video countdowns and beloved dorm room stashes. But for all the readily likeable traits, Montbleau's music possesses an undisguised lustiness and clever streak that recall early Randy Newman, which hints that we're only in the early stages of what he and his band will become.

Press play on Heavy On The Vine (released September 21) and the hooks just keep on coming, and in a wide variety of styles – pure radio fare, blue- eyed reggae, crooner territory and folksy shuffles – each delivered credibly. The whole band plays with lovely texture and the songs are ripe for live expansion, something the many miles already behind RMB have well prepared them to do. Martin Sexton's production accents a warm, group sound but still makes sure to let Montbleau's crush-ready pipes stand out on every track. His voice marries Jack Johnson's slacker drawl to Stevie Wonder's brightness and dexterous way with a melody, and the whole album seems just one good soundtrack placement away from blowing up. Big.

In the meantime, Montbleau and his merry band will keep working clubs and theatres nationwide, as well as backing up Sexton from time to time. This weekend they'll be in Albany, NY (9/24), Rochester, NY (9/25) and Ithaca, NY (9/26). For full tour schedule pop over here. (Dennis Cook)

Here's what Ryan had to say to our inquiries.

Ryan Montbleau Band

1. Great music rarely happens without…
Listening. Actually, it never happens without listening.

2. The first album I bought was…
Huey Lewis and the News' Sports.

3. The last song or album to really flip my wig was…
"Sissyfuss" by Surprise Me Mr. Davis

4. When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to be…
A pro baseball player

5. My favorite sort of gig is…
A quiet, listening environment, although I enjoy the others, too.

6. One thing I wish people knew about me is…
I just want to get better.

7. I love the sound of…
The word "book"

8. One day I hope to make an album as fantastic as…
The Beatles' White Album

9. The best meal I ever had on tour was at…
Tim Hardiman's catering for us in Utica, NY

10. I always find the coolest audiences in…
The smallest towns, but any show can be great; you just never know.

11. The worst habit I've picked up being on the road all the time is…
Drinking more and sleeping later

12. The Beatles or the Stones? Por qué?
The Beatles. I just don't think the Stones can even touch the amount of great songs that The Beatles wrote.

13. The craziest thing I ever saw was…
I don't know…Davy Jones from The Monkees at one of our gigs in Knoxville, TN? That's a tough one.