Hometown rocker Trapper Schoepp just keeps doing cooler and cooler stuff: from completing a song started by Bob Dylan, to touring Europe.

Now, the rootsy Schoepp is preparing to release his latest album, “Siren Songs,” which was recorded at a cabin on the late Johnny Cash’s Hendersonville, Tennessee property outside Nashville, and was produced by Wilco's Patrick Sansone and The Jayhawks' John Jackson.

The sessions found Schoepp using instruments found on the site, including the Man in Black’s 1930s Martin acoustic guitar, and June Carter Cash’s Steinway piano and even an old railroad spike.

Schoepp officially releases “Siren Songs” with a hometown release gig Friday, April 21 at The Back Room @ Colectivo. The 8 p.m. show also includes a performance by Mike Viola.

Tickets are $15-$18 and on sale now.

If you miss that one – or just can't get enough Schoepp – he's playing at Shank Hall on May 7, too.

We chatted with Schoepp about his latest adventures on the road, as well as about “Siren Songs.”

OnMilwaukee: You recently undertook a pretty extensive European tour. What was that experience like for you?

Trapper Schoepp: Some audience members had CDs for me to sign from 2007, which was surreal! They’re more attentive and interested in the arts over there – to speak very generally. I really enjoy Italy because of how laid back and loving they are. The shows start around 9 or 10 and they’re always ready for it. Great pasta, too.

You know we want to know how recording in Johnny Cash's cabin came to happen. Did the Man in Black used to record in there?

Of course he did! It was originally his hunting shack where he’d watch movies, make baloney sandwiches and kick around tunes. Later in his life it was converted into a studio where he recorded some of his classics like “Hurt” and “The Man Comes Around.” It’s a holy house of music and I think Johnny and all the other musicians who passed through left some of their DNA around for us to tap into.

My longtime friend and producer, John Jackson, has worked with the Cash family on a number of projects, so it was all pretty easy to set up.

What was it like working in that space? Did it add some pressure, feel a bit like recording in a sacred space?

I felt good about the songs and the people playing them, so there was not much pressure honestly. It’s a cabin in the woods, so you can only take yourself so seriously. There was always something wild and funny happening around the grounds.

While I was tuning my guitar up for this song “7 Mile Fair,” I felt a steady vibration above the ceiling of the Cabin. I asked the engineer if the sound would be picked up by the mics and we paused to see what was up. 

We walked outside and saw a helicopter circling the property and armed police on ATVs. There was an intruder on the property. I gathered my guys, locked the cabin doors and we nailed down this track in a few takes.

When we were told it was safe to come out, a very enthusiastic policeman said he had apprehended the intruder by tackling him in a field. We were also told the intruder had been fleeing a bank where he’d been found trying to, no pun intended, cash fake checks. So yeah, always something interesting going on at the Cash Cabin.

Tell us about the new record. How has the advance response been?

Good! The album is called ‘Siren Songs’ and it’s filled with nautical imagery and all sorts of folklore . I wrote and recorded the songs using open D tuning on my acoustic guitar, inspired by traditional Irish music. We took the songs down to Johnny Cash’s “Cash Cabin” last spring  and knocked out 14 songs in a week - recorded mostly live with no click track!

What's your expectation for this Milwaukee gig. It's a big homecoming after that tour, isn't it?

I love that room! Mike Viola is opening, which will make the night all the more special. He’s produced some really good tunes including “That Thing You Do.”