For Dashboard Confessional [ tickets ]'s Chris Carrabba, what's old is new again.

He toured with a full band for about five years behind his work as Dashboard Confessional, but with the release of 2007's "The Shade of the Poison Trees," he decided to step back and perform the reflective music as a solo acoustic artist.

"I hadn't desired a solo tour for so long," Carrabba said in an e-mail interview with LiveDaily. (He was battling a cold, and advised not to speak unless he was performing.)

"I had done thousands of shows that way and my interest had waned. But then, after touring as a band for a few years, it sort of hit me as new again."

Dashboard Confessional, the name under which Carrabba performs, began in 1999 as a side project when he was a member of the Florida rock band Further Seems Forever. The name "Dashboard Confessional" is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears," which features the line "On the way home/This car hears my confessions."

Carrabba answered some of LiveDaily's questions about touring as a solo acoustic artist, his love of the movie "Serenity" and his blog.

Your concerts are known for strong audience participation. Does it surprise you to hear so many people sing along with you? It's an amazing sight, especially considering most of your popularity is due to word of mouth.

These audiences amaze me on a nightly basis. These kids are there because they care. They care enough to tell and to bring their friends. They care enough to sing out without reservation. It is borderline new age-y!

Why did you decide to name your album "The Shade of Poison Trees"?

It is from the song of the same name. There is a lyric in it that says “as we lie, in the shade, of poison trees, are we as safe, as we let ourselves believe?"

The first song on the album, "Where There's Gold," seems to be a shot at the music industry. Is that autobiographical?

Is it? I hadn't had that take on it. I suppose there is a bit of that in there. It is a bit more about a girl I know.

Did you record this album any differently than you did 2006's "Dusk and Summer"?

Yes very much so, that album was a trial to make. With many months and many opinions. I enjoyed that process, but the process of this album is more my style. Know what you want done going in. Get in there and do it, and don't forget to enjoy the process.

You worked with Daniel Lanois on "Dusk and Summer." What was the most important thing you learned from him? I heard he's great to work with.

Dan taught me many things, not the least of which was not to lose yourself in the process.

Did you write "The Shade of Poison Trees" with an acoustic solo tour in mind? It has an acoustic base to it.

I didn't. The tour was booked. That may well have been the reason that I had the acoustic LP in mind. It's hard to remember! I do know that I pushed to have the album out during the tour. [My label] Vagrant would have rather had more time to set it up, but I love the fact that they responded to my enthusiasm.

I read on your blog that you're a big "Serenity" fan. I loved that movie too. I wonder why it wasn't bigger at the box office? Any ideas? It's a classic.

I think it didn't have the push in marketing dollars that the big shots get when they have big name stars. I love it.

I also read on your blog that you autographed an expectant mother's belly. That's unbelievable. What other weird fan encounters have you had?

Not fit to print!

When you left Further Seems Forever for Dashboard Confessional, how did you know when it was time to permanently cut the ties with FSF and pursue Dashboard Confessional full time?

You know, it' s a funny thing. At the time, I thought we were permanently cutting ties. Turns out those guys are my friends for life. I like making music with them. Never close a door.