Victor Wainwright is coming to Blind Willie’s in Atlanta on Saturday, September 22, and I had a chance to speak to him briefly this afternoon. Unfortunately, due to mechanical failure, the audio did not record. But it was a short conversation and I can at least tell you what we talked about.

I asked him to tell me about the new band name and the most recent album.

He told me the band name change is an attempt to move in a new direction. the members are not new but are now known as The Train rather than The Wild Roots to reflect that change. He wrote and produced this one by himself for the first time, but was lucky enough to have Dave Gross mix it for him. He, Gross and the band obviously did something right, as Victor Wainwright and The Train was #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts in mid-April when it was released.

We talked a bit about his hometown of Savannah, which I love. He said that his music “has always steeped deep in the music of Southern hospitality” and that still seeps through everything he does. He talked about growing up in a musical family, and how his grandaddy and daddy taught him to play.

He had told me he was “Running around in all directions like a crazy person” so I didn’t keep him, but I can tell you that Victor Wainwright is a charming person to talk with, and he and his band are wonderful to hear. He has won the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award four times in 6 years, including this year, and if you haven’t seen him yet, you will understand when you do.

So get yourself to Blind Willie’s Blues Club in Atlanta on Saturday night if you’re within driving distance to see Victor Wainwright and The Train. You’ll be glad you dud!