07/14/2007

Nickel Creek bids 'Farewell'

Interlochen sets stage for Monday show

BY EMMY PARSONS

eparsons@record-eagle.com

INTERLOCHEN — When Nickel Creek first broke onto the music scene in 2000 with its self-titled debut album, many critics said that a new era of bluegrass music had been ushered in. Since that time, the band has garnered numerous honors — including four Grammy nominations and one win. On Monday, they'll come to Interlochen as part of their "Farewell (For Now) Tour.”

"It's a great act that appeals to a wide variety of patrons that come to Interlochen events,” said Derek Kwan, director of the Interlochen Arts Festival and Presentations. "Besides being known as a country-bluegrass group, they also have a significant folk following.”

And this year's tour, as suggested by its title, is a bit different. After nearly 20 years performing together, the group decided to take a break in order to preserve the band's musical integrity and to have the freedom to explore individual projects.

"It's kind of exciting,” said Sean Watkins, guitarist and vocalist. "The allure of the unknown, and it's not like we're destroying it forever. It's there. We're not burning bridges.”

Instead, the band is going out in style. With a three-part tour that began in the spring and continues through the fall, filled with musicians like Jon Brion, Derek Hughes, Glen Phillips and Fiona Apple, the band is making its last tour (for the time being) count.

"Over the years we've gotten to meet and play with some of our very favorite musicians and get to know them and to make music with them in a pretty cool way, and it's fun to take that out to people that don't live near by us,” Watkins said.

That, along with this being the last chance to see Nickel Creek before they work on individual projects, is exciting, Kwan said.

"I think it'll definitely add a real strong, powerful feeling in the audience as well as on stage,” Kwan said.

When they take the stage at Interlochen, Nickel Creek will be joined by Glen Phillips, formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket. Together they form the group Mutual Admiration Society. And Watkins said that audience members should be prepared for anything, from songs off Mutual Admiration Society's album to new tunes.

"It's really going to be a super-fun year, and it's completely different than any other touring we've done with the band,” Watkins said.

Even so, Watkins said he is looking forward to taking a break from road life.

"I just really want to figure out a way to make money without having to tour, and there are ways to do it and musicians who are doing it,” Watkins said. "It'll just take a little time and a little effort.”

Nickel Creek performs at 8 p.m. Monday at Interlochen. Tickets are $19.50-$34.50; call 276-7800 or visit http://tickets.interlochen.org.