Many Irish students may not be that familiar with American country music, what in your opinion, are some of the key characteristics of the genre?
To me, what is great about my favorite kind of country music and some of its greatest country singers is its power to console the lonely and conversely, its ability to take your mind off everything going on at home. It’s about letting you know someone else has been there and has felt the way you do while walking you through the hard times.
Where did you grow up, and how did you get into playing country music?
I grew up in Phoenix, AZ and my dad loved Hank Williams. He loved George Strait and Randy Travis. But, when I heard Hank, Jr. I really started digging into country music… I was hooked. I’d fallen in love with country music and there was just something in my body that told me country music was what I was supposed to do.
How would you describe the music scene in Nashville to someone who had never been there?
There’s something for everybody in Nashville. You can go down to the honky-tonks on Broadway or slip into a bluegrass club like Station Inn and see some of the world’s best musicians any night of the week.
Who would you consider to be your major musical influences, country and otherwise?
It was actually through my bluegrass heroes like the The Sidemen at The Station Inn that made me a fan of older country music like George Jones, Haggard, Faron Young, and Ray Price. Being a U2 fan, I’ve always loved Bono’s stage presence and would definitely count him as one of my biggest influences outside of country music.
This is your third time coming to Europe to play. How does playing in European cities compare to playing in the states?
We’ve been coming to Europe and slowly building a fanbase since 2006. The size of the crowds last year really blew me away and we’ve been talking about coming back ever since.
What are you looking forward to the most about being back in Dublin? What is it about the city that keeps bringing you back to play?
I’m really looking forward to representing Country music over there and to play for fans who don’t have access to country tours rolling through town every weekend.
Your 2010 album Up on the Ridge feels more influenced by traditional bluegrass than any of your other albums. In what way did you find the process of making this album different than some of your more recent albums, and would you consider making another album like it in the future? Why or why not?
“Up On The Ridge” was one of the most liberating projects I’ve been able to make. Every album starts with a cornerstone song, sound or lyric that sets the tone. This one was the same in that sense, I really wanted to chase the acoustic sound I am such a big fan of, so we honed in on bluegrass and tried to make my version to sort of pay homage to a lot of my favorite musicians. My die-hard fans know how much I love bluegrass, but it was cool to be able to introduce a style of music to some fans who might not have dug into it before. I’m always going to stay plugged into that community.
You’ve been releasing certified platinum country albums since 2003. Has the music that is getting to the top ten changed significantly since you began? If so, in what way? If not, why do you think that it hasn’t?
Music is always changing and evolving, it always has and always will. I don’t think anybody wants to keep hearing the same songs and sounds and Country music is really great in that there’s room for a lot of different types of artists. As it continues to grow in popularity in the states and overseas in places Ireland, I’m proud to be a part of a genre that continues to grow and embrace a lot of different styles.
Dierks Bentley plays the Olympia Theatre on April 21. Doors open at 19:30, tickets are from €36.50-€39.
