It’s unfair to call JD McPherson a blast from the past.

He’s more of a force to be reckoned with in the present.

Exhibit A: The Broken Arrow schoolteacher turned rockabilly frontman has been steadily building enthusiasm for his debut album “Signs and Signifiers” for about two years. The album is phenomenal and has enough rock to fill the Grand Canyon.

NPR recently caught up with McPherson to discuss his vintage recording methods and his eclectic music taste.

We discovered that first hand in the van when McPherson broke into a Morrissey cover and a Ike Turner cover after giving a blistering performance of “Signs and Signifiers” closing track “Scandalous.”

It comes as no surprise McPherson is set to perform as the Wednesday night musical guest on Conan this week. Good thing we caught him before a concert at VZD’s because he’s going to be pretty hard to pin down with as he tours throughout the U.S. this summer.

Who else thinks this guy has a bright future in store?

Check out some photos after the jump.

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