Memphis is a city that one often has to leave to truly come to appreciate. Memphians periodically relocate to cities like New Orleans, Chicago, Nashville, only to return a year or a handful of years later, back to the well they’d sprung from, the city that first was their home.
JD Reager is perhaps the archetypal example of this cyclical trend. Having served in a number of legendary Bluff City outfits – Pezz, Snowglobe, and Two-Way Radio among them – he departed for Chicago only to eventually return to Memphis, where he’s built on the considerable success he’s found with his popular podcast and record label Back To The Light. 10/14 saw the release of both his own latest solo offering, “Where Wasn’t I?,” and “Vol. 4: Dashed Hopes And Good Intentions,” the full-length he’s produced for pop-punkers The Subteens, another long-running Memphis music institution. Notably, it’s the first new music from the latter in fifteen years. Also notable are the formidable guest appearances that pepper “Where Wasn’t I,” with friends from Centr-O-Matic, The Hold Steady, Eagles Of Death Metal, and recently-departed Memphis garage-rock legends Reigning Sound chipping in. ‘
——
Tell us about what led to producing the first new music from The Subteens in fifteen years?
First things first, the Subteens and I go way back. Mark and Jay and I all went to the same conservative Christian high school (several years apart) and share a certain trauma/bond from that. We’ve hung out and played shows together since the mid-90s, and always got along. We also share a drummer in Mr. John Bonds, who told me last year that The Subteens had a bunch of new songs written but were kinda struggling to get them done right (his words) on their own. So I enthusiastically volunteered to step in as producer and record the thing – and unbelievably, they accepted.
Did you feel a sort of kinship with that band as similar Memphis music scene lifers?
The Subteens and I share more than a drummer – we have similar musical tastes, life experiences, senses of humor, all that. We’re really good friends, and it means a lot to me to be a part of their best record to date.
Your podcast, “Back To The Light,” is enjoying considerable popularity both in and beyond Memphis. What’s something you’ve learned in the process of building and shaping the podcast?
Well, I’ve learned that very few people say “no” to talking about themselves, no matter how small the show – haha!
In all seriousness, I think that I’ve learned to be a better listener, ask fewer/better questions and let each guest determine the rhythm and tone of each conversation.
Can you tell us what your future plans might be for the podcast and label both?
I have a whole slew of episodes we recorded at Americanafest this year that I haven’t even started to get out – those will be fun. We also have some new releases planned for next year, but – I can’t share specifics yet.
Could you tell us a little about the events coming up to celebrate the release of these two albums?
We wanted to do two events – one late night (Hi-Tone), one in the daytime (Wiseacre downtown) – because honestly we aren’t spring chickens anymore and neither are some of our friends and supporters, so – we wanted to have an option for both the late and the earlybird special crowds.
Was this new solo album informed in any part by leaving Memphis, and returning to Memphis years later?
Very much so! It was started here and finished there, after a recovery process. I think of the album as the story of my journey out of the darkness of depression and addiction to opening myself back up to the call of Memphis and home.
What was it that brought you back to Memphis after living in Chicago for some time?
Opportunity – the iron is hot in Memphis and I wanted to get back in the fire. I was coming back every couple of months for gigs, recording or podcast work – the travel became unsustainable.
Is there any chance you might take another sabbatical from Memphis life, or are you here to stay?
Never say never, but I think I’m here to stay.
What can we expect from JD Reager musically in the near or distant future?
My old band The Passport Again is re-releasing our first EP in November. I also have a collection of B-sides that is ready to release early next year, and I have just the local club in mind for that release show. Haha. I also might do a Monkees covers album for kicks – my drummer really wants to.
You might also be interested in: Famous Memphis Musicians | Memphis Singers
