Mike Frederickson

Mike Frederickson has appeared on “Saturday Night Live” (with The Spanic Boys) and “The Grand Ole Opry” (with Robbie Fulks), but his resume really begins with The Mosleys. That band's – Frederickson, Royce Hall Jr. and Dave Braun – five albums and legendary Thursday-night residency at Linneman’s remain a high-water mark in Milwaukee music history. A prolific songwriter, Frederickson currently plays bass with Robbie Fulks and recorded his upcoming solo album with Fulks' band and other Chicago musicians. Oh, and he’s also an accomplished painter.

1. You didn't pay for studio time with money?
That was Jay O'Rouke's idea. I was broke and he saw my paintings and suggested bartering. He commissioned three portraits. I guess I don't mind the stigma of illustrator/commercial artist. (Though his clove cigarette-smoking MIAD students might not agree.)

2. How would you describe the new album?
It sounds like a more polished Mosleys’ album. I gave the producer a batch of demos and I'd never done that before. Turns out it was a good idea to have an editor. I could still record a whole other album with the songs not used.

3. What are some of your memorable gigs with Robbie?
We played Fairbanks, Alaska on February 11, 2006. It was about 40 degrees below and after the gig we went to the hot springs and saw moose out in the wild. We also played a gig in Baltimore at a duck pin bowling alley. We actually played on the lanes and there were people bowling on the lanes around us. I don't think Robbie liked it but I thought it was hilarious. Robbie also has a show on satellite radio and we were Otis Clay's rhythm section, and earlier that day we went to his place to rehearse the songs.

4. You’ve been playing music for quite a while, with whom would you like to collaborate?
I saw Keith Pulvermocher from The Love Monkeys playing an open mic at Linneman’s and loved him, really good ballads. There are a lot of people around town. John Sieger, Heidi Spencer, Susan Howe. Another Mosleys’ gig with Royce and Dave would be great. Andy Pagel, Matt Hendricks, Brian Augustine.

5. What time is it?
It's about 5 minutes to tip-off. I have to find a bar to watch the basketball game. I don't have cable.

Mike Frederickson plays with Robbie Fulks June 14 at the Pabst Theater, opening for Dwight Yoakum.