Shakey Graves: "What I'm Trying to Do Is About Storytelling; It's About the Human Struggle"

Although his songs definitely have an autobiographical nature to them, the fact that he's able to separate himself from the narrative makes performing that much more fulfilling.

"That's why I like my music so much," he quips. "It's not like I have to listen to myself sing songs about Alejandro going to the store or whatever. It really feels like something is happening that I don't really even control."

He has, however, figured out a way to captivate his audiences.

"I used to go drag an acoustic guitar onstage and actively not be listened to," he jokes. "I did this in many cities. But the way I've developed [my live] show is sort of formulaic, in a sense.

"The song I start with is supposed to make people stop talking [laughs], and then the song I follow it up with adds a little depth. And then the third song really flips the first two songs on their heads. It's a constant engagement with the crowd. And the volume of it and the drum really makes people pay attention whether they want to or not."

They are. And they can't help it.

Shakey Graves. Opening for He's My Brother, She's My Sister, and Paper Planes. Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. at the Vagabond, 30 NE 14th St, Miami; 305-379-0508; thevagabondmiami.com. Tickets cost $10 plus fees via wanticket.com. 18 and older for women, 21 for men.

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