Introducing Deer Tick

Having interviewed some of the world's best musicians—from U2's Bono, to R&B and Gospel great Mavis Staples, to world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma—Brian Williams has never made a secret of his genuine passion for music. In his new web-only interview series, Brian turns his attention to some of the emerging acts that have caught his ear. First up: Deer Tick.

Originally hailing from Rhode Island, the members of Deer Tick—John Joseph McCauley III; Andrew Grant Tobiassen; Christopher Dale Ryan; Dennis Michael Ryan—are now based in Brooklyn, and after becoming the talk of this year's South by Southwest music conference, the band is bracing for what promises to be a big summer: Their highly anticipated second full-length album, Born On Flag Day, wil be released in June, and fans will be able to catch them perform during their cross-country tour in support of Jenny Lewis (June) and Dawes (July).

In their interview with Brian Williams, the alt-country indie rock band discussed some of their own favorites—which include These United States, Phosphorescent, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Justin Townes Earl, and the Fleece Brothers—as well as some of their influences, which  include the Grateful Dead and "icon man" Tom Petty.