Interviewing Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz is always a pleasure. Even on a day when I wasn’t feeling 100%, his warmth and passion for music reminded me why the band remains so beloved after all these years. And why they’ll always be my favorite.
Duritz and the band are kicking off their summer tour in Nashville on June 10 at The Pinnacle. That feels especially fitting after a memorable Music City moment last time around, when they played the Grand Ole Opry. “That was really fun,” Duritz says. “The whole circle in the front of the stage, the whole vibe there was really special.”
He’s also looking forward to this tour’s energy. The Gaslight Anthem will be joining them on the road and, as always, the Counting Crows will make every night unique. “We’ll play a lot of the new songs because we’re all pretty excited about that,” he shares honestly. “But our shows, the songs change every night. I never really think about it ahead of time… I probably should.”
That unpredictability is a fan favorite and something Duritz values, too. “It’s what keeps it fresh for us.”
Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets: A Unique Musical Experiment
Counting Crows’ latest project, Butter Miracle: The Complete Sweets, was born out of experimentation and instinct. What started as a suite of music morphed into something more fluid. “I wrote this 20-minute piece of music. I didn’t even know if it was going to work or turn out,” Duritz explains. “But as I wrote more songs, I realized they weren’t really a suite. I’d been forcing them into that format.”
One of the many things I love about Duritz is his love for the music. And that includes making full albums, not just singles. “People keep saying, ‘You don’t need to make records anymore. But what we do best is create these whole worlds.” And that’s once again what they’ve done with this collection of music.
That creative freedom led to standouts like “Under the Aurora,” a track that underwent a complete transformation. And is one I’m definitely looking forward to hearing live. “The original chorus was really catchy, but it didn’t mean much to me,” he says. “Now it really matters. I love singing it, it turned into such an epic song.”
Fan Favorites and Live Energy
If social media is any indication, fans have already connected with the emotionally raw “With Love from A to Z,” which features my favorite lyric on the album. “I may leave you a lot, but I won’t leave you alone.” Duritz is looking forward to seeing which new songs the fans gravitate towards, including this one which he says has “such a great energy about it.”
And, if I’m predicting songs that will really hit live, I think “Spaceman in Tulsa” will be an instant stage hit.
It’s also fun to see which deep cuts Duritz and the band bring back from the archives. For their show at the Opry, Counting Crows brought “Butterfly in Reverse” (my personal favorite) back into rotation. It made its return thanks to a little encouragement from Duritz’s girlfriend.
Looking Ahead And Across the Ocean
After the U.S. leg, the band heads overseas to cities like Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, and Barcelona. I took a minute to bond with him about these amazing cities. “Anytime you get to go to Italy or Spain, it’s pretty great,” Duritz laughs. “The food is outrageous.”
But it’s more than just the meals that fuel him abroad. “Going overseas to play is amazing. That feeling never dissipates,” he says. “It’s like the Beatles coming to America. To me, going overseas is the real proof that you matter — that people across an ocean connect with your music.”
Still a Fan at Heart
Even after decades in music, Duritz remains an unapologetic fan. He’s a known supporter of acts like Taylor Swift and The 1975, and loves a band that we had the pleasure of seeing earlier this year, Winnetka Bowling League. “They’re not huge or anything yet, but [Matthew Koma] makes the greatest pop music to me,” he says. “I absolutely love that band.” So do we, Adam. So do we.
See Them in Nashville
Counting Crows take the stage in Nashville to launch a tour that blends nostalgia, evolution, and emotion. With Butter Miracle: The Complete Sweets in tow and the band sounding reenergized, their live show promises both surprises and familiar soul. You don’t want to miss it. Get your tickets here.
Featured Photo Credit: Mark Seliger
