With the presidential primary coming up in a few weeks, Craig Wedren (formerly of the band Shudder to Think and currently a solo artist) wants you to get out and rock the vote! Well, vote, at least. He and his friends – a motley crew of comedians, singers, actors and acrobats – are putting together a show in support of Barack Obama, aptly dubbed “Barack Rock” on Monday, February 4. We spoke with Wedren about the event, politics, and how Obama’s different from the rest of the Democratic pack.

Is there a message that you’re trying to get out with “Barack Rock”?
No, we don’t want to beat people over the head with any kind of message. Really, it’s just about a group of artists getting together who are all fans and supporters of Obama. What we’re trying to do by putting a show together is to remind young, indie rock/indie comedy demographic to vote in the primaries. In our opinion, vote for Obama. But just remember to vote.

What is it you think will appeal about Obama to this demographic?
I think Obama represents an evolution away from the inhuman remove that D.C. has always had. He seems to be his own man. He’s not a contrivance, he’s not a robot; he’s more down-to-earth, more transparent.

Was there a particular incident in the last two years that galvanized you, or was it a sort of slow awakening?
Well, I’ve always been an idealist, very passionate about my thoughts and feelings about the way things could be. But having grown up in Washington D.C., I was always just turned off by the whole scene. I deliberately kept the music that I made separate from politics. It wasn’t until this election that I wanted to do something – it’s the combination of how extreme, how depressing and embarrassing Washington is. And then also having somebody like Barack Obama who really seems like an alternative to a business-as-usual.

Are there particular issues that Obama stands for that you feel drawn to?
Issue-wise, everybody’s saying that the Democratic candidates aren’t so different from each other. As far as I’m concerned, that’s not a bad thing. But Obama seems genuine. Certainly in Illinois, he’s been able to get a lot done by bringing both sides of the aisle together. So really it is just more of a fundamentally different idea about politics.

What do you see as his drawbacks?
Certainly I could use a little more fire at times. Some people I’ve talked to feel like there’s a lack of substance, in terms of Obama stating his policies clearly and thoroughly. But my feeling is that he seems to reveal himself different parts of himself at the right time. As the race continues to ramp up, people will see a more three-dimensional character. Of course, on the campaign trail, he’s gotta do that in four-second sound bites. It’s tricky to do that without becoming a robo-politician!

You must’ve started working on “Barack Rock” before the Iowa caucus.
My wife has been working on a documentary about the Obama campaign for a while now. So we went to the Iowa caucuses a few weeks ago, and just being in it was so inspiring. So we said to ourselves, “We should do something for the primaries.” And we have a great community of creative people: musicians, artists, filmmakers, comedians, and we all love being together and making stuff together. So we decided to put this together.

Who are some of the folks that will show up?
The group Stella is hosting; it's members of the comedy group The State. Their sensibility is very surreal, but they’ll put a political slant on what they’re doing. And then it’s going to be short sets by people. OK Go is going to be a part of it. I’m gonna play a set, and then Nathan from Shudder to Think is going to join me. Nathan’s wife, Nina Pearson from The Cardigans will sing some songs with us, and do some of her own stuff. Then Nina, Amy Miles, and Karen Elson (who’s Jack White’s wife) will be doing a few songs. This will be their performance debut together, they’re called Birds. And Joan Wasser, who goes by Joan as Police Woman. Paul Rudd, the actor, and David Wain from Stella want to do some comedy stuff together. And then maybe some special guests. I’m sure new people will float up into the mix between now and then. It’s a big family jamboree!

So what should the audience expect?
Definitely it will be funny and rockin', but it’ll also be structured...and tight but loose and free at the same time. I always like that sort of circus aspect. Actually, a woman named Chelsea Bacon, who’s an aerialist, is hopefully going to be doing her thing. We’re waiting to hear from Bowery Ballroom if they have whatever necessary rigging and insurance. Chelsea is kind of hardcore – no nets and kind of dangerous gorgeous stuff up there.

Anything else you want to add?
Just get up and vote!

'Barack Rock' will take place on Monday, Feb. 4th starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey St at Bowery). This is an 18+ show. Tickets are $20.