The Don't Rock the Inbox Proust-Ish Questionnaire: American Aquarium's BJ Barham

This past Americana Fest, I was lucky enough to moderate a great panel with Raye Zaragoza, Chris Pierce, Mary Bragg and Mon Rovîa about art and activism. And one of the things we spoke about, naturally, was protest music. It's something we're obviously interested in here at Don't Rock the Inbox - what makes an effective protest song? Where should the writing come from? And I think one of the things we've concluded, and that the panel spoke about so well, is that you start at the human experience and work from there. Sitting down and saying, "hey, I'm going to write about the decline of women's rights" is not as effective as "I'm going to write a song about the suffering of one person, and maybe you'll see things differently through this story." Great writers do this without thinking about it, really, which is what that talented panel spoke about. Tell a story that gets people to look at something a different way.

This is something that BJ Barham, through the songs of American Aquarium, has always been so skilled at doing. "Woke up today and they're tearing down another thing I love about this town," he sings on the country rocker "History Repeats Itself," off their new release New Ways to Lose. Whatever he's singing about, Barham wants you to feel seen and understood but also open your heart and mind to new ways of doing both. This isn't just a musical airing of grievances, it's an awakening, hopefully.

So what better guy to ask our series of questions for The Don't Rock the Inbox Proust-Ish Questionnair? Read on for Barham's thoughts about John Prine, the creative life and one of his most questionable fashion choices.

1. What country album is your idea of perfect happiness?

John Prine's self titled debut. It's a perfect album.

2. What’s your greatest fear about your career? 

That one day it will hit it's peak and then the downhill spiral part of the ride starts.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in other artists? 

Pretension.

4. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? 

My pride has definitely gotten in the way of the band taking a few extra steps up the ladder over the years.

5. Which living country artist do you most admire? 

Willie Nelson. Still touring and recording at 93, doing everything on his own terms. 

6. What is your greatest extravagance on tour? 

Having my own room on the tour bus.

7. What is the most overrated virtue in the country music world? 

That monthly Spotify listeners matter.

8. Which of your past aesthetic choices do you dislike most?

 I had a vest phase in the late aughts that I would like to avoid revisiting altogether. 

9. Which country artist, living or dead, do you most despise? 

I don't know them personally, but the whole era of bro country artists that morphed into the current MAGA mouthpieces, yeah, I could do without any of those guys. 

10. Which words or phrases do you most overuse in your songwriting? 

I talk about "working hard" more than most people probably want to hear. 

11. When and where were you happiest? 

Professionally? The first time we headlined the Ryman. Personally? being in the room for the birth of my daughter.

12. Which talent would you most like to have, other than music? 

I wish I could speak multiple languages. 

13. If you could change one thing about your career so far, what would it be?

 I would have been better to folks in the early years. I was not a good friend/boss/leader when I was drinking/using.

14. What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

Still owning 100% of my masters and publishing 20 years/20 records into my career

15. If you were to die and come back as another country artist, living or dead, what would it be? 

Dolly Parton. The closest thing we have to a saint in the country music world.

16. Where would you most like to live if you didn’t have to be tied to one particular place for work (if you are)? 

Santa Fe,NM. The high desert is a magical place.

17. What is your most treasured musical possession? 

My red Gibson J-45

18. Which historical figure in country music would you most like to collaborate with? 

I would have loved the opportunity to write a song with Kris Kristofferson.

19. Who are your heroes in real life? 

My parents and my wife.

20. What is your greatest regret? 

Not getting sober sooner. Clarity is such a beautiful gift.

21. What is one perfect country song, to you? 

"Independence Day". Martina brought it to life, but what a perfect song from the mighty Gretchen Peters.