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David Loti of the local indie pop group A Soup Named Stew has proven himself a solo jack of all trades, singing his clever, funny, heartfelt pop, playing drums and the keyboards—simultaneously. We caught up with Loti to see what makes the erudite octopus tick.

Where did the idea for the one-man band come from?

Somewhere along the way I began asking myself how I could create a respectable, full sound live with as few people as possible. I wondered how I might play drums with my feet while I played guitar and sang—maybe even attaching a drumstick to the headstock of the guitar to hit a set of hi-hat [cymbals]. I started exploring the idea of playing drums with my right hand and feet and playing keyboard with my left hand.

What has been the reaction to it?

I would say mostly positive (or indifferent). I am grateful for those who have enjoyed what I’ve created and encouraged me in this way. I imagine, realistically, there have been people who didn’t care for what I’ve presented and have been respectfully reticent in their comments.

Your songs are clever and straightforward, disarming the novelty situation of the performance. How do you go about writing material?

I guess the lame and obvious answer is I write from life experiences. (I mean, who doesn’t, right?) But I write a lot. On average I complete about a song a month, and I have done so for over 10 years; however, for every song I’ve completed, I have at least one in the incomplete pile. So writing a lot helps.

Who do you look to for inspiration?

Musically, They Might Be Giants, The Postal Service, Weird Al, Five Iron Frenzy/Brave St. Saturn/Reese Roper, Counting Crows, Jimmy Eat World, The Miscellaneous, Star Ghost Dog, Two Thirty Eight, and The Aquabats.

Personally, artistically, cinematically, and otherwise, Jesus, the Bible (particularly the books of Job, Ecclesiastes, and Psalms), John Tulley (musician/artist), Mike Sares (pastor of Scum of the Earth Church in Denver, Colo.), Andy Venuto (musician), Steve Wallace (pastor), C.S. Lewis (author), Donald Miller (author), Eugene Peterson (author), Scrubs (the TV show), Joss Whedon (screenwriter), Brian McClaren (author), Salvador Dalí (artist), Marcel Duchamp (artist), Franz Kafka (author), homestarrunner.com, xkcd.com, toothpastefordinner.com, askaninja.com, dictionary.com … and Rob Zombie (musician and filmmaker).

Is this in conjunction with A Soup Named Stew, or do you consider this a separate entity?

Definitely separate at this time, although I hope fans will enjoy both.

You are a funny guy. How do you work humor into your material without creating a “comedy song”?

I definitely embrace a self-deprecating label. I wear nerdy glasses. I have a math degree. I am a logophile. I enjoy some things that are considered nerdy. So in light of my nerdy qualities and being comfortable in who I am, through some of the lyrics I poke fun at myself in this way. I also like to write about a strange or uncommon subject, or use a word you’d expect to see on a vocabulary test in a lyric.

I think much of what I do that is received humorously comes out in live performances through comments between songs, though. For example, if I play a song that is clearly about the frustrations of a relationship, I may follow up by saying that song was about a crush on my third-grade teacher or something else clearly inaccurate.

Why are so many artists scared to bring humor into the mix?

I would guess because they are not funny and know it (probably because they have attempted to be funny and others have let them know it); or they are funny and don’t know it; or they are funny and are concerned about being respected as an artist.

One criticism of humorous music is once the joke’s been heard a few times the song is used up. Personally I don’t believe this is always true, though. Just as my friends and I regularly watch, re-enact and quote funny jokes, videos, comics, stand-up acts, SNL commercials/skits and movies, so I think music with humor can have lasting value and be enjoyed more than just a few times.

What’s next for you?

Musically I intend to keep rolling with A Soup Named Stew (we’re planning to release our second studio album in the late summer or fall) and exploring and experimenting with my solo creations.

Otherwise I have just accepted a job as an assistant youth director at First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, and I plan to serve there for at least a few years while continuing work on my Master of Divinity degree through Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., in Canada, through correspondence.