Mike Doughty has all the answers (and a new album) :: Music News :: Articles

Before experimental bass-boomin', clanky-jazzed, nonsequiter-driven, cult formin' New York band Soul Coughing got disseminated in 2000, frontman Mike Doughty united his most loyal fanbase on an Internet messageboard called Super Special Questions. There, Doughty occasionally dropped in to shoot the breeze about his group, solo work and monkey-bears - as well as share personal photos and weigh in on assorted other topics now considered standard forum fare. People who don't understand their boyfriend's/roommate's/older sister's continuing devotion to Doughty based on the music alone should head over to the current Mike Doughty blog and witness his personable nature first-hand. Although the name isn't apparent in on the site itself, the URL "www.SuperSpecialQuestions.com" still takes you there.

This fall, Doughty is promoting his upcoming album Golden Delicious (early 2008) by getting IRL with his penchant for fan interaction. Dubbing a short set of November concerts with Andrew Livingston "The Question Jar Show," the "small rock" icon plans to take requests (besides the recurring shouts of “Firetruck" and "It's Raining Men," that is) and answer inquiries that have been placed into a literal jar by attendees. "No question too weird, no topic taboo," states his website. People lucky enough to be a part of this, please record that biz.

Golden Delicious was produced by Dan Wilson of ATO, the same guy who arguably overworked the relatively less intimate Haughty Melodic. Let's hope this one, like the live shows, better plays on Doughty's enigmatic quirks.

Here are the dates, with West Coast gigs TBA:

November:
2 - South Padre Island, Texas @ South Padre International Music Festival
5 - Austin, Texas @ Cactus
6 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Bryant Lake Bowl
7 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Bryant Lake Bowl
8 - Chicago, Ill. @ Schubas
10 - Louisville, Ky. @ Phoenix Hill Tavern
11 - Nashville, Tenn. @ 3rd & Lindsley
13 - Annapolis, Md. @ Rams Head
15 - New York, N.Y. @ Joe's Pub
16 - New York, N.Y. @ Joe's Pub
17 - Boston, Mass. @ Lizard Lounge
19 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ World Cafe Live