His first band, Lifter Puller, was a '90s post-punk outfit that no doubt helped influence Finn's evolving style. Since The Hold Steady's breakthrough in 2004, Finn has been building a reputation based off his knack for storied songs and classic rock guitar lines. After releasing a steady stream of highly praised albums and EPs, Finn took a five-month break from Hold Steady to write a solo debut, "Clear Heart Full Eyes". 

Released in January, "Clear Heart Full Eyes" was produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Heartless Bastards, Patty Griffin) and features eleven tracks of quieter, moodier fare than Finn's usual Hold Steady power riff sessions. Finn himself acknowledges the difference, describing "Clear Heart Full Eyes" as coming from "a different part of me...I wanted to go after that melancholy." The result is still a lyrical gem, full of narratives and descriptions that only the deft words and notes of Craig Finn could bring to life. Its emotive, relatively quiet guitar lines provide an atmosphere that's twangy and yet inclusive.

In this session David Dye sits down with Craig Finn with the story behind his solo album, the influence Dylan had on his work, and plays live from the World Cafe studio.


Website: http://steadycraig.tumblr.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/craigfinnofficial/music


Set List:
HONOLULU BLUES                          
NEW FRIEND JESUS                       
JACKSON                                            
RENTED ROOM                                
                

Recent Release: Clear Heart Full Eyes   
Release Date: January 24, 2012
Label: Vagrant Records
Band Origin: Brooklyn