As I walked into the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles on January 18, I immediately could tell that Adam Arcuragi meant business. It was clear that music is not just something he does; it is something he lives. He put his all into the performance, so much so that you couldn’t look away. It’s not often that you see someone really losing themselves in the music they play.

And this work ethic translates into everything he does, from the recordings he recently did at Duane Lundy’s (Jim James, Daniel Martin Moore, Ben Sollee) studio in Kentucky, to this interview.

I was able to speak with Adam before he began his recent tour. We spoke of growing up in the South, The Iliad, and being a member of the Thirty Tigers family. He is set to release his third full-length release (that was recorded mostly live), Like a fire that consumes all before it, on January 31. This is not one to be missed.

How did growing up in Georgia influence you becoming a musician?

For me, this was much more of an influence of people and not place, but I definitely think that location flavors the decisions, and that seasoning for me has always been the South. Much of my childhood was spent at my grandparents’ house north of Atlanta.

I remember the day we discovered that not only did my gran have a turntable capable of playing 78s, but she also had a huge stack of actual platters that played gorgeous music. There is so much information on a 78 groove. They sound so lush in this weird way. That night, after I set the turntable up, we listened and danced around the living room to big band music. Some evenings we would sit after dinner and sing old hymns or my grandfather and I would do our killer renditions of Everly Brothers’ songs.

Also, being a good southern boy at heart, I went to church at least once or twice a week from the time I was born until I was around sixteen. So I got a lot of gospel singing training. Other than that, my mom gave me my first Bob Dylan cassette tape when I was in grade school. That was probably the beginning of the end.

You seem to have lived all over the States. Which city really stands out to you? Where do you feel you grew the most creatively?

I love this country. It’s not perfect (Where is?), but it sure is home, gorgeous home. I mean, have you seen the United States of America in person? Of course you have. We are this vast expanse of the planet Earth with mountains, deserts, swamps, one of the biggest rivers in the world and two oceans. We invented rock ‘n roll, gospel, jazz, blues and the meatball sub; there is so much delight and variety.

Great cities for writing: Santa Fe, Los Angeles, New York, Macon and Snohomish.

In what environment are you most creative?

The train comes when and where it pleases. My job and discipline are to be fit and ready so that when the train comes I can hop on. If I could call to her at will, the Moon would live in my backyard. But alas, I am her faithful servant. I stay vigilant because I could be walking across the street or in a library and BAM, she’s ready.

How was recording in Lexington? How has it been working with Thirty Tigers?

Lexington is a special jewel of a city here in the USA. Kentucky, in general, is an amazing state. Such pretty country and such lovely people.

Duane Lundy is also one of the finest men out there with one of the finest studios in operation right now. It quickly became a fun free-for-all of ideas and cooperation. It sounds so good in there, the mood is right, and there is plenty to read. Our time in Lexington was amazing.

We are beyond thrilled to be a part of the Thirty Tigers family. They are one of the outfits that are doing it right. They care so much too. Each and every person involved has put their all into this and all their releases. It is a great name too: Thirty Tigers…makes you wanna roar.

How are you feeling about the release of Like a fire that consumes all before it and your upcoming tour?

I feel wonderfully lucky. I am surrounded by supremely talented and giving people. It seems to be hitting all the right buttons in people. That makes me happy. Without sounding maudlin about it, it means more to me that something is communicated and that it elicits a visceral reaction in people.

The tours this year are going to be fun. Joe is a mighty booking force. He is a very honest and hard-working man from the Midwest. He gets it and he gets it done. I’m looking forward to this year more than I can remember being excited about a chunk of time in a while.

The title of your album is taken from a line of The Illiad as well as a Cy Twombly painting. Is one more significant than the other to you? How do either relate to the album?

“Like a fire that consumes all before it…” is what is written on the bottom of the Cy Twombly painting. His painting is part of a whole installation at the PMA that is based on The Illiad, so, both.

I love that painting. It makes me feel things when I’m standing in front of it. That phrase always echoes in my mind. It is an ancient sort of phrase. It shows up in accounts of invasion and also in the Bible.

I love The Illiad because it is epic poetry. I’m a nerd like that, I guess. I like feeling connected to all the humans that have come before, through things like music and literature and paintings. Fire is also an image that comes up when people are talking to us about the music we make. Lots of language that reflects back to us this idea of being enraptured with the song and the moment and less about us as a “band.” Ideally, I’d like people to focus on the music because that’s where the magic is; so in that, the title reflects more of the reaction we’ve gotten to these songs when we play them live (we road-tested the songs on this album a good piece before we recorded), and that, to me, is the best thing.

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For more information visit AdamArcuragi.com.