MusicTree Fest will be taking place in Manchester, Tennessee – June 6-7, 9-10. We will be publishing interviews with the performing bands as we close in on the 3rd year of this festival. View the full line-up.
Let’s start with the basics, who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?
Well, my name is Levi Massie. I’m from a small town in Ohio in between Columbus and Cincinnati. My style, I believe, would fall somewhere around Folk and Alt. Country.
This is MusicTree Fest’s 3rd year. Is this your first time? If yes, how did you learn about MusicTree?
Yeah, it’s my first time. Learned about it by chance when I met Josh at a local watering hole. We started talking, he liked my stuff, and the rest, as they say, is history. I’m looking forward to playing!
Was there an “ah-ha moment” in your life when you knew you would pursue music?
I’d say right after my first guitar lesson. I was playing complete songs almost immediately after I picked it up for the first time, and I thought to myself, “OK, you’ve found it, Levi. You’ve found your life’s work”. Nothing had ever been so natural for me.
Who (or what) motivates and inspires your writing and playing style(s)?
Townes Van Zandt is the big one. I’ve also learned a lot from listening to Hank Williams records, Dylan records, and Guy Clark, Townes’ best friend. Also, my best friend, Billy Plant, has taught me a lot about writing and turned me on to some of the aforementioned songwriters. He’s a hell of a writer himself, and some of my songs may have never seen the light of day if it weren’t for him pushing hard to hear them.
What can we expect from your performance at MusicTree Fest 2014?
Well I can’t say for sure because everyone takes away something different. My hope is someone feels something they never knew they had after hearing my set. Ultimately, to be inspired. That’s our job as songwriters. Trying to hit that mark.
Where can we connect with you online? Where can we listen or download your music?
Folks can connect with me via my Reverb Nation page or Facebook. Both my albums are available on ITunes(or basically wherever music is sold digitally) and can be streamed on Spotify.
Do you have plans for Bonnaroo this year?
Not as of now, but maybe that will change if someone out there invites me!
Any closing thoughts? Shout outs?
Well…I’m just grateful to get the opportunity to play MusicTree Fest 2014 and I hope everyone involved has an amazing time! Cheers!