Worth the risk

With the theme song for 'One Tree Hill,' DeGraw fears being pigeonholed.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw knows he made the right decision but that doesn't mean it was easy.
It was just a few years ago when it appeared the New York City artist's 2003 debut album "Chariot" was going to fall into obscurity. However, then came a unique offer from WB Network television show "One Tree Hill" to use his song "I Don't Want to Be" as its theme. The teen-oriented demographic wasn't exactly the audience this adult-alternative artist was hoping for, but it was a risk he had to take.
"Everything is risky, man," said DeGraw, calling from Los Angeles. "What if I get tied into this one thing? But at the same time, the way the modern pop media works, one thing leads to the next leads to the next. So it's a good idea to just take the risk and see what happens. What if nothing happens of it; at least we tried."
The short story is he indeed did try, with "Chariot" becoming a platinum success and "I Don't Want to Be" reaching No. 1 at top 40 radio. Other hit singles include the album's title track and "Follow Through." Now, it's time for DeGraw to release the sophomore album that will further define his place within the contemporary music world.
Doing his own thing
While there may be label pressures for more pop-based tunes, catering directly to the "One Tree Hill" segment, DeGraw is doing his best to write an album of his own volition. With 20 songs currently in the mix and plans for an early 2007 release, the 29-year-old performer gives a hint of what fans can expect.
"I'm doing some stuff that I feel is very, very [Bob] Dylan," DeGraw said. "There's another track that is very Tom Waits and there's another song that's like a country tune. Then there's other songs that are like much more funky and a couple that are more in the direction of what is considered modern. In a way, the grooves are more like top 40 radio grooves, sort of like in the vibe of a Maroon 5 style."
Touring by train
Taking some time away for the project, DeGraw is spending his spring on a unique whistle-stop tour of America as part of the Miller Lite "Taste Revolution" tour.
"It was my idea," DeGraw said. "I thought it would be really cool to do a tour on a train. It's my favorite way to travel. You can't get drunk and then drive home. There's no steering involved." In talking to DeGraw, there's a sense of renewed vigor towards not only his career but his craft. He talks as if he's on a personal mission every time he performs and is hoping audience members become witnesses to the magic on stage.
"I'm personally into it for the music," DeGraw said. "I just want to get up on stage and see if I can make something special happen with my band for the audience. I really do love to play and I'll play all night long in order to get to that one right moment that you remember and you're like, 'Wow, this feels really good.' You try to hold on to that. And then you play all night long to find that one moment again. That's what we're playing for."