Jeremy Dion doesn’t waste any time. Why, just last week the Colorado singer-songwriter and licensed therapist debuted his new single Bend In The Middle — the buoyant title track from his upcoming studio album — right HERE. And today, he’s already back, after wading through my shallow questions. I can only imagine how much intensive therapy he thinks I need. But I do know this: For a guy who doesn’t waste time, he just blew a big chunk of it. Ooh, the irony:
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie), home base and any other details you’d care to share — height / weight / identifying marks / astrology sign / your choice.
I’m Jeremy Dion, level 50, Boulder-based songwriter and licensed therapist. I’m an author, a father, a scratch golfer, a watercolor painter, a woodworker, a gardener, and only one of those things isn’t true.
What is your musical origin story?
I grew up near Seattle playing the piano and singing, and was gifted my first guitar by my father for my 18th birthday. My early influences center upon the likes of Paul Simon and John Denver, but my musical life really changed when I found Jerry Garcia and bluegrass. I’ve been writing songs for over 30 years.
What’s your latest project?
I’ve announced the Oct 18 release of my fifth album Bend In The Middle. The title track and first single is out now, the second comes out 9/20. The album includes 11 original tracks, and most were recorded with a full band. I’ve never been so excited to share new music, and I’m really proud of this project.
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
One thing that differentiates me from most other songwriters is the insight I bring to the table, simply by virtue of being a professional counselor for more than 20 years. I’ve spent thousands of hours hearing people’s stories and getting to better understand how we are who we are. It’s as if I’ve been gathering all of this information about human hearts and minds, and now I have some things I want to share about what I know. This new album has a lot of that in it.
How will my life improve by listening to your music?
You’ll feel good listening to this album, and in the end, that’s all we’re after anyway. That’s the reason why we desire anything — a job, a mate, more money, whatever. It’s all because we believe we’ll feel better by having it. Well, I can promise that if you listen to this album, you will feel good. But don’t take my word for it, give it a try!
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played.
The first gig I played: I was 17, and singing a James Taylor cover with my friend who played guitar. We were at a coffee shop near the University of Washington, about fifteen miles from our hometown of Issaquah. My friend played the intro sure enough, but when it came time for me to sing, I froze, and completely forgot the words. I made light of it, we moved on, and I was able to recover to sing the rest.
What living or dead artists would you like to collaborate with?
My top five include Jerry Garcia, Paul Simon, Amy Ray, Noah Kahan and John Mayer.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
I have a soft spot for Phil Collins and Taylor Swift.
Which historical event do you wish you had witnessed?
Being a devoted Deadhead, I’m going with the 5/8/77 show at Cornell.
What’s your greatest regret?
I regret that I never saw Prince play live.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you have given?
The time I was over the moon to perform at the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but the airlines misplaced my guitar on the way over, so I had to do my entire show a cappella.
What words do you hope people use when they describe you?
Warm, friendly, generous and authentic.
If money was no object, where would you live?
I ask myself this question often. And for now, my answer is right where I live, near Boulder, Colorado. I like the idea of spending a month here or there, and can easily settle into the lifestyle in say, Thailand, Italy, Greece or Costa Rica. But I really love Colorado, and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
What would you like to be reincarnated as?
Either a golden retriever or a bald eagle.
What are your pet peeves?
While I do try not to focus on them, a few examples of things that annoy me are: Leaving the counter a mess after you made your lunch, pronouncing the word “especially” as “ekspecially,” and three-putting.
What are you afraid of?
The only thing that ever keeps me up at night is worrying about my kid. She’s now 18 and off to college and rocking in all ways. But that background sense of concern never really seems to fade away.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Another Perfect Day. I’ve had stickers made up with this motto recently, as I have come to embrace it as my overall life philosophy. Things are always working out for me, in every second, even in my “flat-tire” moments of hardship and frustration. Keep looking around the bend at what’s coming. This is always and in all ways working out for me.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I were a little bit taller. I’m somewhere in the 5” 6’ range, 5” 7’ on a tall day. That’s not a problem for most things, unless I’m standing on the floor in general admission at a concert. Then it’s a challenge.
What’s the silliest thing you believed as a child?
That his name was Johntra Volta.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Fly fishing with a friend at sunset on a remote mountain stream when the hatch is on, and we’re catching fish every other cast, before blissfully retiring to a camp-cooked meal and an evening around the fire.
Listen to Bend In The Middle above, check out more from Jeremy Dion below, and meet him on his website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
