The Man With No Agenda

Ben Kweller is like some cool, colorful, slightly-untogether friend you had in high school. The one with shoulder-length hair falling down from under a cowboy hat. Who makes, breaks and re-makes appointments (or is that interviews?) Who finally phones. Calls you "brother." And is so smart, goofy and charming that all is forgiven.

Plus, it doesn't hurt that he's not some clockwork salesman of a singer/songwriter, with an agenda hidden just below his hipness. There are plenty of those out there, for those of you not paying attention.

"I've got nothing to promote this time out, man," Kweller said and laughed. "I don't live and die by the album. I'm not a corporation. I don't really care about the fiscal year. I'm really just out here playing. And trying to hit a lot of the towns I don't usually get to."

Anyone familiar with Kweller's stunningly-eclectic musical history won't find this free-form approach surprising. After all, this is the kid whose punk band, Radish, made a major label record when he was in his mid-teens. Who then turned around and did several brilliant singer/songwriter discs for Dave Matthew's ATO Label ("Sha Sha" being a personal favorite.) Who's recorded with Ben Lee and Ben Folds (as - who else? - The Bens) and who made a haunting, country-tinged disc, "Changing Horses," last year.

This is a kid who follows the muse. Expect a similarly eclectic set when Kweller plays The Fairfield Theatre Company on Wednesday.

"There will be some new tunes, in addition to old favorites, I imagine," said Kweller, who evinces some of the funky country warmth of his adopted Texas. "I should be doing some songs from an album I have coming out in the Spring, that I'm real excited about. It's going to be called 'Go Fly A Kite.' And it'll have lots of overdubs. Lots of layered harmonies. And an almost Queen-like attention to sonic detail."

Another thing that has Kweller jazzed? Like so many of his brethren, he's finally off his major label. You know, the one run by The Man. He's free.

"Yeah, the new record will be coming out on my own label, 'The Noise Company,' which means I don't have to adhere to any more tight release or tour schedules. I'm excited by that."

One of the more likable things about Kweller is his candor. Cool as he is, he's actually even cooler by copping to his musical influences. Especially when they are uncool. This is apparent when he discusses his last album, the windswept and winsome "Changing Horses." Kweller's record, very much in the tradition of alt.country classics from The Grateful Dead, Uncle Tupelo and Neil Young, actually came from some unlikely cowboys.

"I know the hip thing is always to name check Gram Parsons now, if you're talking about your country influences. But I came to him later. My favorites were people like Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks. 'Ropin' The Wind' (Brooks's mega seller from the '90s) was a major event in my life. I love this stuff, even if I refer to it as 'cardigan country,' " Kweller added wittily.

As for his gig in Fairfield, the singer/songwriter says be prepared for the unexpected.

"It's a solo show, which means I'm more flexible than when I'm with a band. So, yeah, I'll be taking requests. Anything from the back catalog, assuming I remember it."

And, thoughtful of his fans' needs, there's another nice bonus folks can expect from this Ben Kweller experience. The ultimate concert souvenir.

"We'll be recording the show, of course, and selling authorized bootlegs at the theater when it's over. That way people can get the thing right away and there's no middle man to rip anyone off."

Spoken like a true inheritor of the counterculture. Garth Brooks, be damned.

Someone in his office tells Ben Kweller he has some more interviews to do.

We exchange a few more pleasantries.

There is a  final "Great talking to you, brother."

Perfect.

INFO: Ben Kweller will be at The Fairfield Theatre Company on Wednesday. The show is at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $22. Members save $5 per ticket. For more information call 203-259-1036.