Man of many instruments plays all at once

VIENNA, Virginia (CNN) -- It's a nondescript Tuesday night. For the regulars at Jammin' Java, it's probably just a night to unwind, have a drink and listen to some nice acoustic background music.

Too bad nobody told Liam Finn that coffeehouses are not venues for Who-like power colliding with Lennonesque melodies, such as the ones on his new album, "I'll Be Lightning" (Yep Roc).

During his set, Finn -- the son of Crowded House's Neil Finn -- utilizes several effects pedals and loops to approximate the sound of a full band. In the span of one song, he'll play rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass and drums, as well as sing harmony with musical partner Eliza Jane "EJ" Barnes.

The act goes over well. Rarely would you categorize a coffeehouse crowd as frenzied, but on this night they are just that -- so much so that Finn and Barnes, the opening act, are called out for an encore. Watch Finn perform "I'll Be Lightning" »

What makes Finn, 24, tick? CNN sat down with the singer before his performance to talk about playing many instruments, the influence of family, and touring with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. The following is an edited version of the interview:

CNN: Where did the one-man band "loopman" idea come from?

Liam Finn: It kind of evolved out of playing solo shows in London. I had these songs that I was planning on making into a solo record, and I wanted to start performing on my own. I had this loop pedal since I was 17 years old, and it was kind of a bedroom hobby. [The pedal] was something to muck around with when I was writing and I would always end up with these lush, layered loop things. When I started playing solo shows, I realized I could introduce [the loop] into the shows, and I could start pushing the boundaries for what one person could achieve onstage.

The drums came into it a few shows down the track. I had a big loop going, and the band I was supporting had a drum kit, so I felt like the loop I had going needed some sort of groove. So I went and got on their drum kit, and the crowd came three steps forward, and I realized I was onto something.

CNN: It's such a unique show. Were there any touchstones or influences for this kind of thing?

Finn: The guy I first saw doing this looping, spontaneous thing live is [multi-instrumentalist and producer] Jon Brion. ... I knew him through my family, and he does a thing where he loops every instrument onstage, the verse and the chorus, and it's amazing to watch because he's a genius, really. ... It ends up sounding like a five-piece band onstage.

I saw him right around the time I got my first loop pedal, and it made me realize there was something more to be had out of being a multi-instrumentalist.

CNN: How does the loop work onstage?

Finn: It's kind of like recording something in the studio, but without having to rewind to the beginning, you can actually play four chords and record it [live] and then record stuff on top of that. ...

If you ever make a mistake, it gets recorded and then you're screwed. But I like that element of danger. You then have to find the mistake and see if you can turn it into something without it being mayhem or if it's fixable, or if you have to stop and do something different. I like the fact that it's unique every night.

CNN: Sounds like a risky proposition.

Finn: Risky is one of my favorite words, really. (laughs) Watch Finn play "Second Chance" »

CNN: You come from a musical family. What did your father say when he first witnessed this one-man show?

Finn: Actually, my parents first saw it on the Internet. Someone had put a song on YouTube, so I showed them because I was excited someone had put it up. It was a wild performance where I fell over badly at the end, and I was worried that they thought I was sort [of] ... mad (laughs). But they love it. Something about doing this show releases something in me. It's a pure high of just enjoying music and being in the moment.

CNN: What kind of advice did your dad or Tim [Finn, his musician uncle] have when you were recording your first solo album?

Finn: They like to let me be, in a way, just as much as I wouldn't tell them how to do anything as well.

What we've all learned is to follow your own gut instincts. It's a lot of fun to collaborate, but we all think it's, kind of, best to watch from the sidelines. They've always been really supportive, and [my dad] has always been great for advice and making me feel confident.

CNN: Growing up in a musical family, when did you realize you wanted to make your own music?

Finn: I always wanted to do it, I think. You grow up watching people you look up to having the time of their lives onstage and making other people happy and really doing something different -- it's hard not to want to do that. It's also quite normal for people to want to go into the family business, you know ... and take over (laughs)

CNN: You have a high-profile fan of your music. What was it like to tour with Eddie Vedder?

Finn: It was an amazing experience. I've known Eddie since I was quite young. He was a fan of my father's music, and I was a fan of his music and hopefully his daughter becomes a fan of my music. That's the way he sees it. He wants to keep it going.

I grew up with Pearl Jam. They are huge in New Zealand, and they were a huge part of my musical life growing up.

This [tour] came up from him hearing my live record. I gave it to him, and I think I got him on a good night. He heard the record while hanging out with some of his friends, and he really dug it. So I got a call from him. From the first show, it was just really good.

He is an awesome guy. It was the sweetest tour ever. We actually had a [contract] rider and got the Tamari almonds we asked for! (laughs)

CNN: There is this rumor going around. Are you going to be touring with him again, perhaps?

Finn: (Smiles) I hope to do more with Eddie in the future.

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