It took a near-death experience to get musician and author Simone Felice to where he is now. Felice moved with ease between his brothers’ band, The Felice Brothers, his own band The Duke & The King, and accompaniment for Bright Eyes and The Avett Brothers for years. Felice’s self-titled solo debut, released last month, alternates between haunting fragility and bluesy-elation, all grounded in the traditions of Americana rock. DCist caught up with Felice before his show tomorrow night at The Hamilton.

This is your first solo album. How did you decide to release a solo album and how does it differ from your work with Duke and the King, and the Felice Brothers?

In the summer of 2010, I had emergency open heart surgery, and I almost died. A month after that, my first child, my daughter Pearl, was born. Needless to say, it was the summer that turned my world upside down. I was fortunate enough to be a part of some wonderful groups and great records, including the Avett Brothers and the Duke & the King. That near-death experience and having my daughter come into the world inspired me and gave me courage to tell my own story. My brothers, my friends, everyone around me really pushed me to do it, and I’m really happy I did it. I feel free as an artist, no constraints, and I can just really be myself. Come what may, you know?

You’ve written several books. How does your process for writing prose differ from your process for writing music?

It’s interesting. I’ve been writing poetry since I was a kid. The inspiration for the stories that I know when I write a song or a book springs from the same well. The disciplines are different, the mediums. It’s a really different endeavor to write a book, but if you do your work right, culturally, you don’t feel so lonely. Growing up in a one-horse town in the Catskill Mountains, we had one little library. It was pretty lonely, but the characters in these stories by Flannery O’Conner and other great writers sort of helped me fight loneliness. I still have continued throughout my life to populate my world with characters. They really bleed into one, the two mediums, writing and songwriting.

What’s a song you wish you had written?

There’s a song by Sandy Denny. She’s an English folk singer who died in the 70s. It’s called “Who Knows Where The Time Goes.” I wish I wrote that song.

You’ll be playing next week at a new venue in Washington. Any memories of favorite venues here in D.C.?

I’ve played in D.C. quite a bit. One time I played at [DAR] Constitution Hall with Bright Eyes, that was really cool. I’m looking forward to making new memories.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or things you do to clear your mind before getting onstage?

I just take long, long, long walks and talk to myself and organize my thoughts, sometimes have a cup of tea. I try to get into the most transcendental zone that I can achieve.

You’ve been compared to Dylan and Cohen as lyricists. Are there any lyricists living or dead that you admire, that you’d want to work with?

My favorite lyricist is Joni Mitchell.

Excellent answer.

She’s my favorite songwriter and favorite lyricist. Obviously I love Bob Dylan, he’s the weird Shakespeare of our time. I love Joni Mitchell’s lyrics. As far as more contemporary stuff, Thom Yorke of Radiohead is a really great poet and lyricist. But Joni is my queen. She’s my hero.

Simone Felice plays The Hamilton on Thursday at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $15 and available here.