Ponderosa

originally published December 5, 2007

Local band Ponderosa brings a lot of good-natured swagger to its rollickin' Southern rock. With a look like the Allman Brothers circa '72 and the moves to match, the Athens/ Atlanta foursome puts on a show. But underneath the charm lies solid musicianship. "We work hard at looking good," jokes lead guitarist Kris Sampson. "We just happen to be good musicians as well."

Seems like a little confidence may be warranted, considering vocalist Kalen Nash was courting major labels as a solo artist in early 2007, after splitting with his teen-folk duo Gabriel Young (which saw him teamed with fellow local singer Gabriel Kelley). Instead, he decided to get a band behind him and unhappy with the results of a produced, pop-driven solo album, Nash took the advice of Sampson - a fellow musician and the chief engineer of Atlanta's Nickel and Dime Studios - and Ponderosa was born.

Luckily for the burgeoning band - which at first briefly counted Coathangers drummer Stephanie Luke among its members, but later recruited bassist Jonathan Thomas Hall and drummer Jon Wayne Cole - Ponderosa was the perfect way for Nash to get back to his acoustic roots. The group's twanging, Stones-inspired sound is a rebellious step away from the pop realm, one that is far more suited to Nash's gravelly, blues-tinged croon. Formerly members of the indie band Variac, Sampson and Hall provide a needed rocker edge to Nash's singer-songwriter sensibility. Flagpole recently caught up with the long-haired freewheelers.

Flagpole

So Kalen, what finally pushed you to strike out fresh with this band?

Kalen Nash

I wrote the record when I was like 18, 19 years old. So I sat on a record for a year and a half doing showcases, trying to get a record deal and then everything kind of fell through… and I just got tired of not having a steady band.

Flagpole

What did you have in mind when you formed Ponderosa?

Kris Sampson

We didn't have any idea where it was going to go. We just started recording and making a demo. And that's when we got J.T. to play studio bass on it. And it was so awesome everybody loved it and we were like, "Well let's do a band." And the idea slowly came together.

Flagpole

So how would you describe the Ponderosa sound?

John Thomas Hall

We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. We're just trying to play some good solid rock and roll and trying to play it better than anybody else can in our region, and hopefully in the nation. [Everyone laughs.]

Kris Sampson

And live the rock-and-roll lifestyle. Fast women, fast cars and drinking…

Flagpole

Kalen, how was the transition from being a solo artist to being in a band?

Kalen Nash

I think that was the reason that I never really had a band - because I was more of a songwriter. I think if anyone writes really good songs, people are going to want to be a part of it. Especially other people that write good songs. Now I'm in a band with the greatest songwriter I know, and that's J.T.

John Thomas Hall

Before, Kalen wasn't trying to write songs in one direction or another. But when you have a band and you have an idea, it's a lot easier to place those boundaries around yourself and work well within those boundaries.

Flagpole

So does having long hair and wearing zip boots make you sound better?

Kalen Nash

I don't actually wear zip boots. Mine are full cowboy.

Flagpole

Obviously the look is important to you.

John Thomas Hall

Think about how many musicians out there look good but can't play for shit. But they look good….

Flagpole

I guess it helps with the girls.

Kris Sampson

I feel that it's good to have a strong female fanbase in the rock-and-roll industry. They tend to buy more CDs and T-shirts and blog about you and change their MySpace headlines to "We love Ponderosa!"

Flagpole

When can we expect a record?

Kris Sampson

Soon. But we're still kind of writing it. I would say we'll definitely have a record done by next summer. Next year this time, it's the Georgia Theatre we're playing…

Allie Goolrick

Spotlight is a regular feature looking at newer or emerging local acts.