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Anderson: The first question I would like to ask you is concerning the new album Health & Sport. Why did it take five years for it to be completed?
 
Bozeman: Originally, we had the intention of making an EP for The Cut & Paste Collective / Velvet Blue Music series Scissors and Blue. Unfortunately, the series ended after the first three releases and the Luxury songs were never released. After my record Love and Affection was released by Northern, I asked if they would be interested in releasing these Luxury songs. Once they agreed, we decided to expand the three songs into a full-length record. At that time Glenn Black (drums) lived in North Carolina, Chris Foley (bass) lived in New York, my brother Jamey lived in Georgia, and I was living in Missouri and trying to make a record became quite a daunting task. Somehow we persevered and after only meeting twice as a band put Health & Sport together.
 
Anderson: On the album, although it sounds pretty cohesive, you hear the more traditional Luxury sounding songs (“The Four Quartets,” “Strange Flowers”) but then you have those--for lack of a better term--songs that have a more industrial, dark sound to them (“Shake More Hands, Give More Hugs,” “The Needs of the Many, The Needs of the Few”) was this due to recording to a separate EP first?
 
Bozeman:  I wrote all of the music with the exception of “The Needs of the Many, The Needs of the Few” and lyrically, I was able to keep it cohesive. The musical differences were due to the fact that it was recorded over such a long period of time and the writing was done in two large sections. The original EP included “Shake More Hands, Give More Hugs,” “I Have Been Everywhere the Grass is Green, I Have Seen All There is to See,” and “The Needs of the Many, the Needs of the Few.” The remaining songs were written quite some time after the first three and so everything had to be related in some way, both musically and lyrically, to those. 
 
Anderson: The layout for the album is phenomenal.
 
Bozeman: Yeah, the English teacher in me came out; I’ve always liked footnotes and decided that it would be educational to include them on the record. 
 
Anderson: What was the inspiration behind “Shake More Hands, Give More Hugs?”
 
Bozeman: The first line in the song really says it all, “I will try to be more fun.” I want to relax more and not take life so seriously to allow joy to rule my life. Musically I wanted the listener to have to work at getting into the album, to do something unexpected, since there is this theme of work that runs through this record. That’s the reasons the song is so long; to emphasize the idea of work.
 
Anderson: One thing that characterizes your songwriting is its honesty, sometimes too honest (laughs) where does that come from?
 
Bozeman: I am an Orthodox Christian and believe in, and practice, the sacrament of confession, which is found throughout the Bible, and I guess sometimes that confession slips out into my music.
 
Anderson: “Post-Modern Love” from the Love & Affection album is a perfect example of confession, it’s not preachy at all;  instead it very masterfully describes a struggle that is common to most of us. How has the response been to that song?
 
Bozeman: I’m glad you didn’t see it as being preachy because I never want to be preachy. That song came to me rather quickly; it’s a really simple song. I don’t think I could ever write another song like it. But all in all the response has been pretty positive
 
Anderson: Listening to music today you do not hear many artists who will be open in their music why do you think that is?
 
Bozeman: I think to some musicians making music is just for fun, or about making a living, or being entertaining. I don’t think they are intentionally writing music that may be the most honest, and that’s fine. Everyone is different and capable or entitled to make whatever type of music they want. 
 
Anderson: “Wedding Feast of the Lamb: The First Movement” how did that song come about?
 
Bozeman: The catalyst for this song was I had the desire to write a song with a lot of words. I had the song title, which I usually have before I write a song and I decided that I wanted to write a story-telling lyric because I hadn’t done that before. The lyrics center on a person’s life and their transition to heaven and what that might be like. There are a few allusions in that song to Thomas Merton and Flannery O’ Connor. I wish I had been using footnotes on that album as well (even more laughs).
 
Anderson: Any future All Things Bright & Beautiful releases?
 
Bozeman: Yes, in fact I have five or six songs complete for that. The second movement for “Wedding Feast of the Lamb” is one of those songs. I really want to write about Christian joy. And I don’t mean happiness. I’m talking about the fruit of the Spirit joy. That un-common and un-natural joy. I think it can be expressed in different ways. It can be more inward, more contemplative or it can be manifested in a very explicit way.  I want to do this because I haven’t found an album that focuses on this. I don’t know if I can pull that off but so far I have a lot of thoughts about for it already. 
 
Anderson: I heard a rumor that you and Christendom’s favorite electronic guru Ronnie Martin were going to collaborate on an album together is this going to happen?
 
Bozeman: Yes we are we would like to make a Depeche Mode type record (J) but he got a little sidetracked working with his brother Jason on a project called The Brothers Martin so when he’s done with that we should be able to get working.
 
Anderson: Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
 
Bozeman: Reading, movies, and just living life. I can get inspired from a multitude of things.
 
Anderson: Describe a typical trip to a music store for you.
 
Bozeman: The employee of the store will ask me what do I like and I’ll respond with I don’t like anything and then I’ll go on with my business (huge laughs this time).
 
Anderson: Your thoughts on vinyl recordings?
 
Bozeman: We need more of them for sure. Thanks for bringing that up because Republic of Texas Records is releasing the new Luxury album.
 
Anderson: What do you do for fun?
 
Bozeman: Fun…? Hmmm….I play golf, spend time with my wife and kids, and watch movies …that’s pretty much it.
 
Anderson: I heard an urban legend that you once performed live with a colostomy bag is that true?
 
Bozeman: Colostomy bag? No. Never had the pleasure. We played a song at a Starflyer show about six months after the accident we were involved in. I was accessorizing a supra-pubic catheter and had it neatly tucked into a bag. 
 
Anderson: We’ll end on that note Lee. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.
 
Bozeman: Not a problem. Take care.
 
Anderson: Thanks.
 
 Links
www.leebozeman.com
www.northernrecords.com
www.republicoftexasrecordings.com