Courtesy Allen Thompson

Onetime Roanoker Allen Thompson is feeling some love in Nashville these days, having just signed a deal with Palaver Records and planning a new record release. He’ll be at Martin’s Downtown with his Allen Thompson Band on Friday. Read more, get show details.

Here is a quick Q&A with Thompson, conducted via facebook:

CutNScratch: What direction will the new EP, “Salvation in the Ground,” take?

Allen Thompson: The new record reflects the natural direction the band has been moving in over the course of the last year or so. We toured behind my last album as a 3 piece string band for about a year. That was fun, but it wasn’t really getting the point across. Sometime in 2010, we decided to add a rhythm section and switch to electric instruments. The positive improvement in response from the audience was immediate. When it came time to make a new album, we knew it had to be an electric band affair.

cNs: Are you planning to play some of those songs at Martin’s?

AT: We’ll be playing a pretty long set at Martins, so I’d imagine you’ll get to hear most, if not all, of the 9 songs on “Salvation in the Ground.”

cNs: The opening act is Relacksachian. I know you go back with a couple of those guys. Want to say anything about them?

AT: The guys in Relacksachian are some of my oldest and best friends. Terry Peters got himself ordained as a minister so he cold officiate my wedding. Amanda Glover was a bridesmaid. Ambrose Waddell was a groomsman. Adam Beason and I have been playing music and making trouble together on and off since before we could drive. I love those guys very much and I’m really proud to see them having the success they deserve. They’re good folks who work really hard. And their band sounds good too!