Audrey Gomez
Crossroads Exchange is making a stop in Eugene this week for its Black Train tour and that’s close to home for Andy Wylie (Slaght), singer, songwriter and guitar player for the band which formed about two years ago.
Wylie, a 2004 Sweet Home High School graduate, who now lives in Washington, needed a band to play with him for a solo project he was working on.
“I started collecting local musicians in Seattle,” Wylie said.
It grew from there.
The band’s name, Crossroads Exchange, comes from the musical legend of Robert Johnson and his meeting with the devil at the crossroads. He was said to have gained his musical talent in exchange for his soul.
Black Train is the band’s debut album. It took three days to record and about a year to get it ready to put out.
“It’s all self-released,” Wylie said. “I handle all of the physical releases.”
He worked out the digital distribution deals, so the album and its songs are available at more than 60 digital sites, including Amazon and iTunes.
In addition to planning the album, Wylie took three to four months to get the tour together.
Crossroads Exchange played dates in several states including Montana, Colorado, Arizona and California.
They’re scheduled to play three different festivals in Washington.
When they’re not touring, the band fits in time to play for some charities.
“My friend Mike Miller runs Rock Out ALS, so any time he needs a band for his charity I make sure I’m available,” Wylie said. “It’s a great organization.”
Wylie also did a gig with former Misfits singer Michale Graves for the West Memphis Three, three teenagers who were tried as adults in the murders of three young boys allegedly as a result of involvement with Satanism.
Wylie read up on the case and watched the “Paradise Lost” series, which explores it.
“The case hit close to home, so when the opportunity came up to do a benefit for them, I jumped on it,” Wylie said.
“The case really struck a nerve in the counter culture, as well as in my life,” Wylie said. “The WM3 are three teenagers that were charged with murder with no evidence against them, due to shoddy police work, and spent most of their adult lives in prison all because they wore dark clothes and listened to heavy metal.”
Wylie said he grew up as an outsider, saw a lot of prejudice against people like himself and experienced it personally.
“It could have been me or any one of my friends in that position,” Wylie said. “It’s tragic.”
Wylie saw another opportunity to help with a friend’s charitable efforts.
Emerald City Heroes Organization (Echo) is a superhero group out of Seattle that works with various charities.
“El Caballero is a good friend of mine, so any time he needs a band for his benefits, I’m always happy to donate my time,” Wylie said.
While the band is just getting started, Wylie hopes to play on the east coast next year and in Europe in the future.
Asked what his dream gig would be, Wylie barely hesitated.
“I would love to open for Tom Waits,” Wylie said. “That would be my ultimate show.”
Crossroads Exchange will perform at Old Nick’s in Eugene on July 11.
To listen to or download their music, visit crossroadsexchange.bandcamp.com.