Drawing inspiration from traditional blues and folk genres, Portland, ME's Micah Blue Smaldone pays homage to the art of guitar playing with his own wry and soulful brand of music. His album, Some Sweet Day is available on North East Indie. Matt Blair spoke with Micah via email about Portland, the indie aesthetic, and great Canadian comedians.

WHAT'S A YOUNG ARTIST IN 2005 DOING PLAYING SUCH A TRADITIONAL BRAND OF MUSIC? Is it 2005 already? I suppose I really got immersed in this prewar music at a pretty dismal point' in life, where I was feeling desperate to recover and compose myself, but had all the wrong ideas of how to do so. I remember hearing a radio special about John Jackson, one of the last' true songsters, who had just passed, and thought 'œWow, I could spend' my lifetime' playing this music and probably die a happy fellow.'? Through him I learned of Blind Blake, Mississsippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotten... I really just found huge comfort not only in the pure sentiments and idioms and many layers of' humour and sarcasm, but in the sophistication and artistry of the guitar playing.
The thought of being able to accompany myself and travel with' just a' guitar seemed like a dream come true. Well, now I travel with two guitars, but it's the same self-sufficiency.

YOU'RE ON NORTH EAST INDIE, A LABEL WHICH IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF SUCH ARTISTS. IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THERE'S A THRIVING FOLK AND BLUES SCENE IN PORTLAND? Portland has a kind little community of music, pretty embracing' of any genre. It also has probably more art galleries per square mile than anywhere I've been.' It's just large enough to have a nice variety of artists without any urban haughtiness or competition.

THE WORD 'œINDIE'? TENDS TO MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF A MORE BASIC, THREE-CHORD BRAND OF MUSIC. AS AN INDIE ARTIST WHO DOESN'T FIT THAT MOLD, DO YOU EVER FIND THE NOTION OF INDIE MUSIC LIMITING? Aren't' all categories limiting? I don't think anyone would call what I do 'œindie,'?' I just happen to be on an independent record label.

SO YOU DON'T CONSIDER THAT AS BIG A PART OF WHAT YOU DO AS A NAME LIKE 'œNORTH EAST INDIE'? WOULD IMPLY? I don't think it implies anything but an abbreviation of 'œindependent,'? and certainly doesn't bear any 'œindie'? aesthetic. Its roster' is' pretty diverse' for a small label, from laptop noise to complex Eastern Europe and Middle East influenced music. Now that you mention it, maybe the thing we most have in common is' that none of us fall easily into any category, existing more just as a community than a 'œscene'? or genre.

WAVELENGTH'S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL RECENTLY FEATURED THREE ACTS FROM PORTLAND, OR. YOU'RE FROM PORTLAND, ME. WHICH PORTLAND IS BETTER? Oh, I like them both very much, although I' think I prefer the four seasons of New England. Lots of great music from both towns though! I just love that M. Ward fellow, he's a raspy breath of fresh air. Climax Golden Twins, my labelmates there, are a barrel of monkeys. Cerberus Shoal, my labelmates here, are a barrel of something else... maybe wine... very wonderful in any case.

YOU'RE PLAYING A SHOW IN TORONTO, FEATURING ACTS FROM EACH OF CANADA'S THREE MAJOR CITIES, AT THE TAIL END OF CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK. AS AN AMERICAN, DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S A LITTLE TOO CANADIAN? Well, I've never been to Canada and I'm very much looking forward to stepping off American soil for a little while.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF CANADA AND THE TORONTO MUSIC SCENE? ARE YOU PLAYING ANY OTHER CANADIAN DATES WHILE YOU'RE UP HERE? I've no expectations but to have a nice time and stock up on duty-free liquor on' the way in. Hopefully I can visit with friends in Deep Dark United and Picastro, they're both swell. Harris and I are playing Montreal and Ottawa, the 3rd and 4th respectively, and an in-store at Soundscapes on the 5th. Do you folks have a John Candy memorial or anything?

By Matt Blair