Gov't Mule is currently kicking it overseas with concerts in Australia and Japan, and the trio plans on returning to the U.S. for a handful of dates next month before hooking up with the Steve Miller Band for a run of amphitheaters in June and July.

In addition to tending to the Mule and the recording of its just-released album, "Life Before Insanity," frontman Warren Haynes recently took time out to produce and play on "The Flower And The Knife," the new album from Drivin' N' Cryin's Kevn Kinney.

MTV News caught up with Haynes shortly before he and the band headed overseas, and he talked about how he came to produce Kinney's album, the singer-songwriter's first solo project since 1994's "Down Out Law."

"I had produced one song for Drivin' N' Cryin' in the past," Haynes said,

"We have a great relationship and I understand his music, and I understood what he was trying to do, and I think it turned out to be a really good marriage. We just kind of let things happen and didn't force them to happen, and I think it really turned out great." [RealAudio]

Haynes also discussed how the original sessions for "The Flower And The Knife" suggested a stripped-down acoustic record, but that Kinney's reputation eventually brought out an all-star cast of guest players.

"Y'know, it was intended initially to be a solo-acoustic type of record," Haynes said.

"And one after another, people started expressing an interest in playing on Kevn's record, and I think a lot because they loved what he was doing and the direction of it and what a talented artist he is. Everybody who heard it became more intrigued and wanted to be part of it, so the next thing you know we had all these great people on it."

"The record really turned out amazingly well. I think Kevn has written some of the best songs of his entire career." [RealAudio]

In addition to the guest appearances, "The Flower And The Knife" also features acoustic reworkings of two classic Drivin' N' Cryin' tunes, "Scarred But Smarter" and "Straight To Hell," as well as covers of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" and "The Ballad Of Hollis Brown."

"The Flower And The Knife" is due out on Capricorn Records on May 2, and Kinney will kick off a solo tour in support of the album on April 30 in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Dates for Kevn Kinney's upcoming solo tour:

  • 4/30 - Wilmington, NC @ Otter's Front Street Bar
  • 5/1 - Carrboro, NC @ Room Four
  • 5/2 - Philadelphia, PA @ Khyber
  • 5/3 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
  • 5/4 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
  • 5/5 - Falls Church, VA @ State Theatre
  • 5/6 - Baltimore, MD @ Fletcher's
  • 5/10 - Jacksonville, AL @ Brother's Bar
  • 5/11 - Memphis, TN @ Young Avenue Deli
  • 5/12 - St Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
  • 5/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze on the West Bank
  • 5/16 - Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
  • 5/17 - Urbana, IL @ The Canopy
  • 5/18 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
  • 5/19 - Cape Giradeau, MO @ Music on the Mississippi
  • 5/20 - Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's Cantina Ballroom
  • 5/25 - Isle Of Palms, SC @ The Windjammer
  • 5/27 - Clearwater, FL @ Club More