Welcome back to JamBase’s baker’s dozen to the bright lights of the music world. Last time we heard from Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes.

After unleashing a debut crammed with dark-edged, psychedelia-licked hard rock, it comes as a happy surprise to find Dead Confederate exploring spare folk textures, soaring pop, and other experimental fluctuations on their fantabulous sophomore platter, Sugar (arriving August 24 on TAO/Old Flame). Signs of obvious growth are everywhere, from the finely wrought lyrics to singer-guitarist Hardy Morris‘ more forthright vocals to a dense, compelling sonic curiosity that keeps one’s ear glued to the speakers. Sugar is the affirmation of the faith artist like Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools and Dinosaur Jr. – whose J. Mascis guests on the new album- have shown this Athens, GA band. This is a bold, inquisitive rock band on the rise, building their own sound but clearly not ready to lay down any borders just yet. (Dennis Cook)

Here’s what Hardy had to say to our inquiries.

Hardy Morris by Daniel Peiken

Nickname: Hardello

Instrument of choice: guitar

1. Great music rarely happens withoutÂ…
Some form of inspiration. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about kids in a basement or Paul McCartney onstage, they’ve got to be inspired and really into whatever they’re doing. People say that they are ‘inspired’ by other musicians, but I think real inspiration comes from the inside. You can be ‘influenced’ by other artists, but it takes your own inspiration and initiative to sit down and create.

2. The first album I bought wasÂ…
Neil Young’s Harvest. My mother had always played her vinyl version for me growing up, so I got my own copy when I got a stereo with a tape deckÂ…yep.

3. The last song or album to really flip my wig wasÂ…
I really, really liked Embryonic by The Flaming Lips, but that was a while ago. Um…I really like this song called “Hey, Cool Kid” by Cloud Nothings. Their album Turning On is really good. And the new Deer Tick album [The Black Dirt Sessions] is also awesome.

4. When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to beÂ…
I always wanted to play in a band, I think. I remember my cousin and I playing tennis rackets to G n’ R in my room LONG before I ever attempted to actually play the guitar. I also wanted to be President when I was really little. I remember I wrote a letter to Ronald Reagan and they sent me a picture of Reagan on a white horse. I’m not kidding.

5. My favorite sort of gig isÂ…
Small place, dark, loud, late night.

6. One thing I wish people knew about me isÂ…
I make killer chili.

7. I love the sound ofÂ…
A slow ride cymbalÂ…and rreevveerrbb.

8. One day I hope to make an album as fantastic asÂ…
I can’t compare. Just want to make each record better than the lastÂ…or at least different than the last.

9. The best meal I ever had on tour was atÂ…
Duffy’s in Anna Marie Island, Florida!!!

10. I always find the coolest audiences inÂ…
40 Watt Club in Athens, GA

11. The worst habit I’ve picked up being on the road all the time isÂ…
We draw and write short stories in our van incessantly. We have stacks of filled notebooks in our house. It looks like we travel with mental patients. Maybe we do.

12. The Beatles or the Stones? Por que?
The Beatles for me; I just like everything about them better.

13. The craziest thing I ever saw wasÂ…
Seeing my best friend’s older brother shoot the front windshield of a cop car with a potato gun AND THEN seeing my best friend accidentally shoot himself in the face with said potato gun. It was unbelievable. There are many other things, but you don’t want to know.

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