When The Santa Barbara Independent last touched base with American roots rocker Chuck Prophet in 2014, he was in the midst of a tour for his album Temple Beautiful, with a stop planned at the Lobero Theatre. Nearly two years later, Prophet is active and on the road again, this time playing alongside Brooklyn’s Garland Jeffreys on a seven-gig tour of California.
As a singer/songwriter, Prophet has a sound that’s remained true as a conglomeration of rock ’n’ roll, folk, country, and British invasion, and he is perhaps best known for his 2002 breakthrough single “Summertime Thing.” I spoke with him recently ahead of his April 23 return to the Lobero to talk about his current projects and musical direction.
I read on your website that you’re working on a musical with Kurt Lipschutz. Would you tell me more about that?