Rock Island: Being nominated for Rock Album of the year at the ECMAs, how does that feel? 
Jerry Stamp: Being nominated feels pretty good. I really didn’t expect anything. You can never tell how these things are gonna go. But especially where I haven’t been very active since the album came out I thought a nomination was a long shot at best. Turns out somebody out there likes me. 

RI: Will you be attending the conference in Cape Breton? 
JS: I’m hoping to attend the conference. I haven’t booked any travel or anything yet as I am waiting to get the details from the ECMAs. They don’t give all the awards out at a final night event like they used to so I want to make sure I book my travel arrangements and make sure I am actually there when the award is given out. 

RI: What are you up to these days after the hiatus? 
JS: The hiatus is still going on. For those that don’t know I have an auto-immune disease called Psoriatic Arthritis. It is a degenerative and debilitating condition and affects my throat and joints (among other things) so I was forced to stop performing live a few months ago. I decided to go back to school. I am currently studying Graphic Design at CNA. The hope being that if things improve with my health then I can get back to performing and use my newly acquired design skills to work. 

RI: Thoughts on Rogue Doubt after being released a year and four months ago? 
JS: Rogue Doubt was bittersweet. The process of writing and recording was extremely personal. I was forced to confront my biggest fears head on. I had to address the fact that I was losing my ability to play and sing. Music was all I ever wanted to do. I had devoted my life to it. Then my body started fighting me. So I don’t listen to it much because it is kind of painful right now. I guess it is still raw where I only had to stop performing recently. But I think about it a lot. And knowing I got to get that (potentially final) album and all that emotion out there before I lost the ability is a slight comfort. 

RI: Will you be returning to the studio? 
JS: Unfortunately I don’t really know the answer to that yet. I like to think I’ll get to do some work again someday down the road. But for now I am trying to focus on my health and school. I’ll always be writing so I’m sure eventually I’ll get some stuff down I just don’t know if it will be my focus or not. 

RI: Is there any chance for a Jerry Stamp show in 2016? 
JS: I also don’t know the answer to that. Haha this isn’t sounding very positive. I’m focusing on my health but if things improve that will be an option. But I will have to be very certain that I am improving and not just temporarily improving. 

RI: What are your plans/hopes for the future musically? 
JS: I would love to say I will fully regain my health and abilities and get back on the road and in the studio as often as possible. Who knows what the future holds. I am trying to be hopeful but I am cautious too. I believe the term is ‘cautiously optimistic’. 

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