Willy Porter often gets lumped into the folk music genre, but that doesn’t begin to do justice to the talented singer-songwriter’s eclectic sound.

“I’m more of a rock musician with an acoustic guitar,” Porter proclaimed during a recent telephone interview with On Tap from the road, where he was touring in support of his self-produced new album “Available Light.”

Treading similar terrain as Elliot Smith, Martin Sexton and even Dave Matthews, Porter has carved out a respectable career over the past 15 years. His deft guitar work, soulful voice and incisive, detailed lyrics can break your heart one minute and leave a goofy smile plastered on your face the next.

Porter, who plays the Barns at Wolf Trap on Nov. 14, has bounced around among major and minor labels for more than a decade but one thing has remained constant — his dynamic live shows. His road work has sharpened his sound and a genuine commitment to his craft is evident on “Available Light,” a smart collection of moody, complex, mostly mid-tempo tracks that reveal a musical and lyrical maturity beyond Porter’s years.

Porter’s soaring falsettos and bluesy guitar recalls vintage Dave Matthews on “Set Yourself Free,” while a quiet, contemplative instrumental called “Sleepy Little” evokes the natural majesty of George Winston with its pealing piano and plunking guitar.

Porter said the inspiration for his songs come from everywhere – but often from the road because that’s where he spends so much time.

“It’s just usually something that grabs a hold of me and won’t let go, so I have to write about it to get rid of it,” Porter explained about his songwriting approach.

His subject matter can also be startlingly personal. Much of “Available Light” was written when Porter’s father struggled with a terminal illness. After his father passed away, Porter said he was finally able to deal with him in song.

“Me and My Old Man” is a resigned but affectionate ode to the man who brought Porter into this world. Much of the song centers on his father’s love of car racing. “Me and my old man, now I understand, he lived his life on the edge time and time again. I can hear ya laughing” Porter sings on the album.

“It was the song I never wrote when he was here,” Porter said. “When he died I totally figured out what that song was supposed to be.”

The aforementioned “Set Yourself Free” is based on Porter’s true-life concern over a friend caught in the clutches of a heroin addiction.

With radio play hard to come by for anyone not playing hip-hop, country or eardrum shattering rock, Porter has gotten occasional publicity boosts from some heavy hitters in the music industry who simply liked his work. The Wisconsin native has opened shows for Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck, Tori Amos, Jethro Tull and others. Porter says those endorsements exposed new fans to his tunes.

“Many people, to some degree, need to be told what to like or what to check out,” Porter said. “So those people have been nothing but helpful to me.”

Porter said he enjoys the Barns at Wolf Trap, as much for its acoustic purity as its beautiful setting. He’s currently touring with just himself and a drummer, but promises to rock the house.

“We’re stripped down but we make a lot of noise for just two guys,” Porter said with a laugh.

Willy Porter
The Barns at Wolf Trap
Nov. 14
Tickets are $18
For more info, visit www.wolftrap.org.

Source: On Tap Magazine http://ontaponline.com/view_article.php?article_id=10847