Playing in a successful rock band can be a double-edged sword — just ask Mikael Jorgensen. The Fort Greene musician is the keyboardist for legendary Chicago group Wilco — but as he leads a band of his own and prepares to release the group’s solo album, he’s finding that notoriety is both a blessing and a burden.
On the phone from Chicago, where Wilco is currently recording its new album, the 36-year-old Jorgensen explained that it’s been “surprisingly difficult” to find a distributor for the stunning record, “All Is Golden,” despite submitting it to labels here and abroad.
“Maybe they don’t want to release it because [Pronto’s in] some sort of competition with Wilco,” he said. “Or maybe they just don’t like it, but don’t want to tell me because they don’t want to piss off ‘the Wilco guy?”
Certainly, the other “Wilco guy” — band leader Jeff Tweedy — hasn’t been “pissed off” by Jorgensen’s side project, especially since Jorgensen has made so many contributions to the band since joining in 2002.
Tweedy — though his drummer Glenn Kotche — lavished praise on Jorgensen, who helped the band win its two Grammy Awards for the 2004 album, “A Ghost is Born.”
“Several of the crowd and band favorites started with Mike,” said Kotche, mentioning “Hell is Chrome,” “Side with the Seeds” and “Theologians.” Kotche also praised the innovative keyboard sounds that Jorgensen brings.
“Mike has his own style on piano,” he said. “The music world is full of clones and it’s one of the hardest things to achieve.”
Just as with Wilco, Jorgensen achieves it with “All Is Golden.” Much as Wilco did in its pre-Jorgensen incarnation — think “AM” — Pronto takes some of the best 1970s rock influences — a bit of Steely Dan, some of the whimsical keyboard of Stevie Wonder, some horns from the Rolling Stones, and the bittersweet songwriting of Randy Newman — and combines it with a decidedly 21st-century cynicism.
“I was going through a darker time,” Jorgensen said. “Both my folks had passed away and I [was] going through a pretty lousy breakup with a girl. I guess pain is a great inspiration.”
Despite a broken heart and the struggles of emerging from Wilco’s shadow, Jorgensen explained one of the upsides of working with his Chicago band mates was how they influenced his very personal (and often funny) songwriting.
“I think the intent to be very genuine was definitely something that was inspired by working with Wilco,” Jorgensen said. “It really affects how compelling music can be.”
Jorgensen has had to find a balance the last two years, juggling his extensive Wilco commitments with Pronto’s initial recording sessions in 2006, a month-long musical residency at Fort Greene’s Smooch café in 2007 and a Sept. 28 show at Williamsburg’s Union Pool. But he explained that it’s all about appreciating his differing roles in each band.
“I’m not going to suggest a guitar song that I’ve written to Wilco,” he said. “But there are myriad other piano ideas that I’ll submit and see what everyone thinks.” Alternatively, he relishes how he’s able to sing, play guitar and keyboards in Pronto, a different set of disciplines that aren’t part of his Wilco role.
For the moment though, he simply wants to develop Pronto into a “self-sufficient entity.” A distributor will lead to a more substantial Pronto tour, with Jorgensen even revealing he has most of another Pronto album ready to record.
But he is also very clear about where his loyalties lie.
“I’m not under any delusions that [Pronto’s] going to be the next huge band,” he said. “I just want it to make money and have everyone involved excited — rather than abandoning Wilco or some ludicrous idea like that!”
For updates on Pronto, visit www.prontosphere.com.
