Need Something New? - Try JD2 Learn about one of the internets favorite artists. Click “Read More” for Interview. Horseshoe Bend Productions and Shoestring Records Present 12 more original songs from JD2 Vigor Thrust: Managing Editor of Troubles Ahead, Dark Sky Publications and Shove Master International, interviewed JD2 at the Elbow Room Cafe’ in Cando, ND just before the release of this album. VT: First of all what brings you to this part of the world. Jd2: Well my highway tour takes me all over and I wanted to come here because the name of the town exemplifies the spirit of this album. We all face a number of challenges at this point in time and a Cando mind set will help us to Keep Pushin’. VT: This list of songs seems to deal with many of the struggles we face. Loved your tribute to 911 called “I Ain’t Given That Up” as well as “Too Much Blood” and a number of others. How did you decide on this type of format? Jd2: Well most of my life has been a struggle wheather it’s been with jobs or relationships or my mental outlook. I always seem to be just one step ahead (or behind) the grey cloudy skies so it was the natural thing for me to do this type of an album. VT: How has the reaction been so far? Jd2: Well it’s been great I mean I’m sittin’ here talkin’ with you and getting to come to a place that’s not far from the Canadian border where I just came from. People up there seem to connect to it as much as down here in the states. We all have the same kind of problems to deal with and we’re all pretty much the same in many ways. VT: That “Lean Toward The Good” song pretty much sums it all up for many of us don’t you think? Jd2: I can’t speak for others but I’d say unless you’re some kind of an emotionless cold breath or a dictator trying to be Adolph Hitler it pretty much applies. I mean when you boil things down on this planet, if you don’t lean toward the good, what’s left? VT: Nothing I guess or maybe destruction? Jd2: Exactly! There’s an old saying that goes something like, “Nothing is good or bad but the mind of man makes it so." I agree with that up to a point but I also know that evil exists on this planet as sure as I’m sittin’ here with you and if you don’t do something to compensate or offset that evil then you have no chance for anything else. VT: The Treadmill Line song is interesting, how did that come about? Jd2: Oh that’s just from a lot of my own life as well as observing others along the way. You know, it gets to be a grind sometimes and you just have to put your head down and hoe the row. My release comes from writing something others can relate to. VT: This is your eighth album so far, so you’ve been pushin’ on this area for awhile correct? Jd2: Oh ya, I was at it for many years before I started recording. And it took me a number of years before that to acquire the experience in life to have something to write about. I did a number of dead end things before I was finally able to figure the whole mess out and head down this highway. Nobody has the one and only answer, you just have to find what works for you and like the CD says, KEEP PUSHIN’ VT: Isn’t that like sitting here at the crossroads of 17 & 281? I mean, when you leave if they don’t take you to where you need to be then you find another road that will. Jd2: You got it. VT: Well what’s down the road for you after this? Jd2: After I leave here I’m back on the road tour for another two weeks and then it’s back to Shoestring Records to lay down a couple of new songs I've been working on for the next album. VT: And what’s the next one called? Jd2: “Got My Heart Locked Away” VT: Well, we all look forward to that and many thanks to you for the time and thoughts. Jd2: My pleasure and thanks to all the folks here in Cando as well as all the folks on the road and everyone that has taken time to read and listen. Thanks for your support folks! Hope to CU on the highway of life.