Country Fried Rock

From the Country Fried Rock archives in 2012:

Ben Morrison of Brothers Comatose dives into the vibrant world of creativity and music in this laid-back chat on Country Fried Rock. The conversation kicks off with a breezy exploration of his roots in music, growing up in a household filled with jamming parents and a brother who keeps the rhythm alive with his banjo skills. They reminisce about those early days of acoustic living room concerts, where classic rock legends like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones were their guiding stars, before shifting gears to discuss how they’ve evolved as a band into a unique blend of genres that keeps audiences on their toes. Ben shares the nitty-gritty of their recording process, emphasizing the importance of capturing the raw energy of live performances and the joy of collaborating with fellow artists, including a heartwarming story about discovering Nikki Bloom and the Gramblers at a festival. With some witty banter sprinkled throughout, they keep the vibe fun and relatable, making it clear that while the road to success can be rocky, it's all about enjoying the ride and creating music that resonates.

Takeaways

1. Ben Morrison of Brothers Comatose reminisces about growing up surrounded by music, thanks to his musician parents and lively music parties at home, which sparked his passion for playing.
2. The band evolved from jamming in their living room to performing live, booking gigs, and developing their unique sound through collaborative songwriting.
3. Morrison highlights the importance of live performance preparation, especially for a string band, to capture energy and engagement during shows without a drummer.
4. Festival performances present unique challenges for string bands, requiring them to impress new audiences who are often sitting in lawn chairs, making energy and effort crucial to winning over crowds.
5. Brothers Comatose embraces a variety of musical influences, blending traditional string band sounds with modern genres to create a more diverse and exciting live experience.
6. The band's recording process has shifted to a more collaborative approach, allowing members to contribute to the songwriting and arrangement of new tunes before hitting the studio.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. Brothers Comatose
2. Weezer
3. Led Zeppelin
4. The Rolling Stones
5. The Kinks
6. California Honey Drops
7. Nikki Bloom and the Gramblers
8. iTunes
9. Nucci's Space
10. Lily Pad productions
11. Full Tones
12. Steve Soto in the Twisted Hearts

Recommended If You Like

Country Fried Rock, Ben Morrison interview, Brothers Comatose, country rock music, musician creativity, acoustic arrangements, live music performance, music inspiration, songwriting process, festival performances, San Francisco music scene, string band music, music collaboration, influences in music, coffee and music, music industry insights, recording process, band dynamics, music festivals, Americana music

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't Click Those Old Links!

These podcast episodes are from 2009-2020. Links are probably dead. Half these places do not exist any more.

From the Country Fried Rock archives of 2012:

Kevin Gordon graces the airwaves of Country Fried Rock, diving deep into his latest album, Gloryland. He chats about how his early exposure to the sounds of legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles sparked his lifelong passion for roots music and Americana. Kevin shares some solid gold anecdotes from his time in Iowa, where he discovered a vibrant music scene that shaped his artistic voice and led him to Nashville. As he reflects on his evolution from punk rock to crafting poignant lyrics, it’s clear that authenticity and storytelling are at the forefront of his creative process. With a mix of nostalgia and humor, he highlights the serendipity of songwriting, revealing how life's twists and turns have influenced his work while giving a nod to the importance of collaboration in the ever-changing landscape of music.

Takeaways

1. Kevin Gordon's journey into music began as a kid dancing to classic tunes like Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles at his parents' parties.
2. He found his footing in music through a punk band in high school, where he learned the value of self-expression and the joy of covers.
3. Moving to Iowa for grad school opened his eyes to the rich musical traditions of the Midwest and the Chicago blues scene.
4. In Nashville, Kevin embraced the songwriting process, blending poetry and music to create lyrics that resonate on multiple levels.
5. His latest record, Gloryland, reflects a more layered musical approach, taking time to develop each song in the studio.
6. Collaboration is key for Kevin; his partnership with Gwil Owen allowed them to write songs that truly capture their artistic vision.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. Jerry Lee Lewis
2. Ray Charles
3. X
4. Bo Ramsey
5. Chess
6. Little Ed and the Imperials
7. Sun Seals
8. Leroy Parnell
9. Marty Brown
10. Pam Tillis
11. Cadillac Jack's

Recommended If You Like

country fried rock, Kevin Gordon, Americana music, roots music, Gloryland album, songwriting inspiration, Nashville music scene, blues influences, indie music, live music performances, music production, songwriting collaboration, music creativity, poetry and music, touring as a musician, music industry insights, Lake Charles music, East Nashville artists, Midwest music scene, independent music artists

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't Click Those Old Links!

These podcast episodes are from 2009-2020. Links are probably dead. Half these places do not exist any more.

From our archives in 2012:

Jesse Langlais from Town Mountain joins Country Fried Rock to dive deep into the roots of his bluegrass journey and the creative spark that fuels his music. He kicks things off by sharing how a chance encounter with a bluegrass CD transformed his musical path, leading him from a casual listener to a passionate banjo player. As the conversation flows, they explore the vibrant bluegrass scene in Asheville, where Jesse honed his craft alongside fellow musicians, fostering a community where creativity thrives. The duo also chats about the delicate balance between respecting traditional bluegrass and pushing the genre into fresh, uncharted territories. Tune in for a laid-back yet insightful chat that reveals how Jesse and Town Mountain are shaking up the bluegrass world while keeping it real.

Show Notes

1. Jesse Langlais of Town Mountain joins the podcast to share his journey into bluegrass music.
2. Grew up surrounded by diverse musical influences, including Ray Charles and James Taylor, but didn’t pursue music seriously until his late teens.
3. A chance encounter with a bluegrass CD featuring Jerry Garcia sparked his passion for the genre.
4. Describes falling in love with the sound of the banjo and the journey to find the right instrument and musical identity.
5. Reflects on moving to Asheville and becoming immersed in a thriving bluegrass community.
6. Shares experiences from local jams and gatherings, including Shindig on the Green, highlighting the importance of community in bluegrass culture.
7. Emphasizes how collaboration and shared musical experiences help preserve and evolve the genre.
8. Discusses his early drive to write original music, even as a relatively new player.
9. Explores the balance between honoring traditional bluegrass roots and pushing creative boundaries.
10. Explains how Town Mountain blends authenticity with fresh sounds to reach both longtime fans and new listeners.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. Ray Charles
2. Little Feat
3. James Taylor
4. Jerry Garcia
5. Bill Monroe
6. Flatt and Scruggs
7. Stanley Brothers
8. Jimmy Martin
9. Asheville Country Music Review
10. Mike Bub
11. Del McCoury Band
12. Scott Vestal
13. Pine Castle Records
14. Putumayo
15. Allison Krauss and Union Station
16. Sam Bush
17. David Grisman

Recommended If You Like

country fried rock, bluegrass music, Jesse Longley, Town Mountain, music inspiration, Asheville music scene, bluegrass community, songwriting process, traditional bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, music creativity, banjo playing, live music performance, music collaboration, music recording process, original music, bluegrass jams, Appalachian music, Folk music, musician interviews

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't Click Those Old Links!

These podcast episodes are from 2009-2020. Links are probably dead. Half these places do not exist any more.

From our archives in 2012:

BJ Barham, of American Aquarium, takes a deep dive into the whirlwind of creativity behind their new album in this laid-back chat. They kick things off by highlighting a key point: the band's commitment to evolving their sound with each release, as they embrace a different producer for every record. BJ shares some personal anecdotes about how his life experiences, especially those messy relationship moments, fuel his songwriting, creating a vivid backdrop for the band's narrative-rich lyrics. He also reflects on the unique chemistry within the band now compared to earlier days, emphasizing how their camaraderie allows for a more organic and collaborative creative process. As they gear up for an intense touring schedule, BJ expresses excitement about how their fans are already singing along to new songs, proving that the road has truly shaped their music and its reception.

Show Notes

1. BJ Barham, lead singer of American Aquarium, joins the Country Fried Rock podcast for a candid and engaging conversation about his musical journey.
2. Barham reflects on his early days discovering music in high school and how those formative experiences carried into his college years.
3. Shares how young love, heartbreak, and personal struggles became the foundation for his songwriting and artistic voice.
4. Opens up about the cathartic nature of writing music and how channeling personal turmoil led to songs that deeply connect with fans.
5. Discusses the band’s impressive run of releasing multiple albums in a short period, emphasizing their strong work ethic and creative momentum.
6. Explains their approach to working with different producers for each project to create distinct sounds and avoid creative stagnation.
7. Cites legendary influences like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, highlighting the importance of storytelling in songwriting.
8. Encourages listeners to dig into the narratives within his lyrics and find personal meaning in the songs.
9. Keeps the conversation light and entertaining with humor and relaxed, conversational storytelling.
10. Shares memorable stories from touring, including the connections built with fans across the South and beyond.
11. Talks about the excitement surrounding their upcoming album and the unique experience of playing unreleased songs live.
12. Highlights how live performances allow fans to engage with new material before it’s officially released.
13. Reflects on music’s power to bring people together and create shared emotional experiences.
14. A mix of humor, honesty, and insight that showcases Barham’s passion and the band’s continued evolution while staying true to their roots.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. Chris Stamey
2. Jason Isbell
3. Lone Star Music Company
4. Turnpike Troubadours
5. Gaslight Anthem
6. Bruce Springsteen
7. Bob Dylan
8. Paul Simon
9. Craig Finn
10. Amanda Shires
11. Jimmy Nutt
12. Caitlin Cary
13. Peter Holsapple
14. Donald Glover (Childish Gambino)
15. Jay-Z
16. J. Cole
17. The Hold Steady
18. Drive-By Truckers
19. Dawes
20. Shovels & Rope
21. Turnpike Troubadours
22. Reckless Kelly
23. Jason Boland & The Stragglers
24. Lucero
25. The Lumineers
26. The Killers
27. Brooks & Dunn
28. The Fulltones
29. Steve Soto and the Twisted Hearts
30. Tin Roof
31. The Jinx
32. White Water Tavern
33. The Triple
34. The National
35. Jefferson Theater
36. FAME Studios
37. Nuthouse Recording Studio
38. Antique Hearts
39. Bones EP
40. Small Town Hymns
41. Burn.Flicker.Die.
42. Blonde on Blonde
43. Born to Run
44. Heartbreaker
45. Nebraska
46. Last Chance Records
47. Nuçi’s Space

Recommended If You Like

Country Fried Rock, American Aquarium, BJ Barham interview, songwriting inspiration, music creativity, Raleigh music scene, indie country bands, folk rock music, live music performances, recording process, producer collaborations, narrative songwriting, emotional songwriting, music festivals, touring musicians, North Carolina bands, music industry insights, mental health for musicians, Americana music, musician interviews

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't Click Those Old Links!

These podcast episodes are from 2009-2020. Links are probably dead. Half these places do not exist any more.

Summary

Grab a stool at the Dive Bar Music Club, where host Sloane Spencer and Regulars Charles Hale and Nelson Gullett share their low-key, high-taste music selections. This week’s happy hour for music nerds dives deep into the miracle of the Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy's Life's Rich Pageant R.E.M. tour, where even Bobcat Goldthwait's opening set brought joy, much to their surprise. Between Charles’s treasure trove of new vinyl finds, ranging from the haunting Magnolia and Johnson Electric Co. 7" to the garage-rock grit of the Flamin' Groovies, and Nelson’s essential preview of the Big Ears Festival featuring lap-style guitar creative Yasmin Williams, the episode is a masterclass in crate-digging. It’s a passionate, defense of the weird, the instrumental, and the feel-good oldies that make being a music obsessive worth the effort.

Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists

1. Apple Music
2. Tidal

Bands Featured in Episode 5

1. Angine de Poitrine
2. Beulah
3. The Cure
4. Cure for Paranoia
5. Flamin' Groovies
6. Gwenifer Raymond
7. Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover
8. Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co.
9. Yasmin Williams ft Dom Flemons

Venues and Festivals Mentioned

1. The 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
2. Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, TN
3. Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, TN
4. Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN
5. Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
6. Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN

The Regulars

1. Nelson Gullett
2. Charles Hale
3. Sloane Spencer

Musicians, Photographers, and Other Cool People and Places Mentioned

1. Adam Smith
2. Alvin Youngblood Hart
3. American Aquarium
4. Amethyst Kiah
5. Apples in Stereo
6. Arooj Aftab
7. Backsliders
8. Ben Nichols
9. Beulah
10. Billy Allen and the Pollies
11. Blind Boys of Alabama
12. The Carolina Chocolate Drops
13. Charles Wesley Godwin
14. Chocolate Genius
15. Chris Porter
16. Chris Thile
17. Darrell Scott
18. The Devil Makes Three
19. The Glands
20. MJ Lenderman
21. Jason Molina
22. Jason Narducy
23. Jay Farrar
24. Jim Dickinson
25. Jim James
26. John Zorn
27. Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson)
28. Ken Pomeroy
29. Luther Dickinson
30. Madison Cunningham
31. Magnolia Electric Co.
32. Marc Ribot
33. Michael Shannon
34. Molina and Johnson
35. Nels Cline
36. Neutral Milk Hotel
37. New Multitudes
38. Nirvana
39. Patti Smith
40. R.E.M.
41. Reggie Watts
42. Sam Amidon
43. Scott Avett
44. Sturgill Simpson
45. Sun Ra Arkestra
46. Sunny War
47. Tatiana Hargreaves
48. The 400 Unit
49. Thurston Moore
50. Waxahatchee
51. The Westerlies
52. Will Johnson
53. William Tyler
54. Wu Fei

Recommended If You Like

Dive Bar Music Club, music podcast, 90s alt rock, indie music recommendations, emerging songwriters, record store culture, festival music experiences, Sturgill Simpson new album, live music events, alternative music playlists, music nerd discussions, unique musical collaborations, Big Ears Festival, folk and Americana music, underground music scene, vinyl record collecting, local music highlights, new music discoveries, eclectic music tastes, passionate music discussions, R.E.M., Jason Narducy, Michael Shannon, Johnny Blue Skies

Summary

This week, Amanda Miles, Sloane Spencer, and Kim Ware settle in for a deeper conversation about the music getting us through the mess of current American politics. We start by talking about the long history of music and creativity in protest movements, sparked by Ann Powers’ article about where all the protest songs have gone lately, and whether they’ve actually disappeared or just taken new forms.

From there, we trade the songs currently living on repeat in our headphones. A theme quickly emerges: comfort. The kind of music that steadies you when everything feels beyond us. Think the emotional pull of Jason Isbell, the warm, lived-in sound of Waxahatchee, and the storytelling power that artists like Tyler Childers and Courtney Marie Andrews bring to the table.

Along the way we talk about that tricky balance in our listening habits right now, when you want music that lets you feel the anger, but also something that softens the edges of the day.

Pour yourself something good, settle in, and join us for a thoughtful, easy-going conversation full of sharp observations, a few laughs, and plenty of appreciation for the songs helping us cope, reset, and stay connected.

Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists

1. Apple Music
2. Tidal

Bands Featured in Episode 4

1. Courtney Marie Andrews
2. Amanda Bergman
3. Tyler Childers
4. Jason Isbell
5. Dina Ogon
6. Waxahatchee

Venues and Festivals Mentioned

1. Fest, Gainesville, FL
2. Shoals Fest, Muscle Shoals, AL
3. The Cave, Chapel Hill, NC
4. Coca Cola Amphitheater, Birmingham, AL
5. Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
6. Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
7. Radio Room, Greenville, SC
8. Red Rocks, Morrison, CO
9. Tribbles, Piedmont, SC

The Regulars

1. Amanda Miles
2. Sloane Spencer
3. Kim Ware

Musicians & More Also Mentioned in this Episode

1. The Ann Powers article about protest music
2. Healing Appalachia
3. Amanda Shires
4. Angel Olsen
5. David Childers
6. Dillon Fence
7. Drive-By Truckers
8. JPhono1
9. Michael Cera Palin
10. MJ Lenderman
11. Martha Davis (The Motels)
12. My Chemical Romance
13. Rage Against the Machine
14. Rickie Lee Jones
15. StereoLab
16. Tedeschi Trucks Band
17. Tift Merritt

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

Summary

Momma's in her first official ultramarathon training block, and things are getting real. Back-to-back long runs? Check. Experimenting with mashed potatoes in a Ziploc mid-run? Also check. (Sweet gels, sometimes we need a break.) As she navigates fueling flails, lopsided pistol squats, and the humbling realization that some “lost skills” were never there to begin with, the ultra journey is serving up equal parts grit and comedy.

But the real plot twist? A full-on obsession with the Black Canyon Ultras livestream. Eight hours of desert running, elite women crushing it, and shockingly good coverage, better than the Chicago and Tokyo Marathons. Trail running entered the chat with drones, commentary, and vibes.

From desert cacti to her new word "vert," Momma's falling hard for the ultra world, while also spiraling (just a little) into Olympic ski mountaineering fandom. Foot care books are on the way, shoe decisions loom large, and the quest for “vert” while living in a place with 11 feet elevation change is officially underway.

It’s midlife, miles, and mashed potatoes, and she’s saying all the quiet parts out loud.

Chapters

1. 00:12 - Beginning the Ultra Journey
2. 01:03 - Transitioning into Ultramarathon Training
3. 03:52 - The Transition to Trail Running
4. 04:39 - Experiencing the Excitement of Trail Running
5. 06:39 - Introduction to Skimo and Ultra Running
6. 07:29 - Preparing for the Ultramarathon

How I Procrastinate

1. Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast
2. Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020
3. Music Playlists
4. Support This Podcast
5. Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds

Recommended If You Like

ultramarathon training, trail running tips, ultra marathon nutrition, back to back long runs, desert running events, running coverage comparison, fueling for ultra marathons, ultramarathon for beginners, ultramarathon coaching advice, running and nutrition, marathon coverage issues, trail running for newbies, ultra marathon gear, how to run an ultra, best foods for running, ultra marathon training plan, ultramarathon experiences, running techniques for older runners, ultra marathon community, ultrarunning podcasts, Leah Yingling, Mountain Outpost, Hilary Yang, Hillary Yang, Molly Seidel, Des Linden

Mentioned in this episode:

Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Music Podcast

A rotating cast of The Regulars gather to chat about the music they're currently listening to.

Summary

It seems like it's a good time to play The Clash. Dive Bar Music Club is back and digging a little deeper this time. We’re diving into the crossroads of music and social awareness, sparked by the recent federal violence in Minneapolis. I’m Sloane Spencer, joined by Chad Cochran, the Nelson Gullett, and Charles Hale.

A couple of us are slightly under the weather this week, but we're psyched to chat about what we're listening to lately.

We’re still swapping our latest musical obsessions and what’s been living on our playlists, but today the conversation carries a little more weight. We’re talking about how music shows up when things get tense; how it pushes back, how it brings people together, and how artists turn frustration, grief, and defiance into something powerful and unifying. At the same time, we’re not forgetting what music also does best: giving us a breather, a release, a place to land when the world feels loud.

So settle in with us for thoughtful, unfiltered, interesting music conversation.

Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists

1. Apple Music
2. Tidal

Bands Featured in Episode 3

1. Iron Chic
2. Amelia Day
3. The Menzingers
4. Mon Rovîa
5. Off With Their Heads
6. Karen E. Reynolds
7. The Third Mind
8. W8ing4UFOs

Venues and Festivals Mentioned

1. Albino Skunk Music Festival, Greer, SC
2. Barley's, Knoxville, TN
3. Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, TN
4. Blue Plate Special, WDVX, Knoxville, TN
5. The Blue Room, Nashville, TN
6. Bubbapalooza, Atlanta, GA
7. First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
8. Frank Brown Songwriting Festival
9. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN
10. Little 5 Points Festival, Atlanta, GA
11. Nelsonville Music Festival, Nelsonville, OH
12. Star Bar, Atlanta, GA

The Regulars in Episode 3

1. Chad Cochran
2. Nelson Gullett
3. Charles Hale
4. Sloane Spencer

Musicians Also Mentioned

1. 13th Floor Elevators
2. Dave Alvin
3. Bad Bunny
4. Better Than Ezra
5. Carsie Blanton
6. The Blasters
7. BoyGenius
8. Billy Bragg
9. Peter Buck
10. Camper Van Beethoven
11. Ashley Capps
12. The Carter Family
13. Counting Crows
14. Chunklet (Henry Owings)
15. The Clash
16. Alice Coltrane
17. Cracker
18. JT Cure
19. Arrested Development
20. Lucy Dacus
21. Deacon Lunchbox
22. Drive-By Truckers
23. Bob Dylan
24. Grateful Dead
25. Billie Eilish
26. Billy Fields
27. Follow for Now
28. Will Fratesi
29. Marvin Gaye
30. The Jody Grind
31. Kelly Hogan
32. Japanese Breakfast
33. Jimmy Eat World
34. The Jompson Brothers
35. The Knitters
36. Victor Krummenacher
37. Lake Street Dive
38. MJ Lenderman
39. Barrett Martin
40. James McMurtry
41. The Minus 5
42. Nirvana
43. Joy Oladokun
44. J.S. Ondara
45. Robert Plant
46. Chuck Prophet
47. Pylon (Randy Bewley, Vanessa Briscoe Hay)
48. Pylon Reenactment Society
49. Rage Against the Machine
50. Redd and the Paper Flowers
51. The Replacements
52. Chappell Roan
53. Pharoah Sanders
54. Gregory Dean Smalley
55. Smoke
56. Bruce Springsteen
57. Mavis Staples
58. Chris Stapleton
59. The Steeldrivers
60. Taylor Swift
61. Jesse Sykes
62. Bill Taft (Chowder Shouters)
63. Chris Thile
64. Richard Thompson
65. The Toadies
66. Tuatara
67. Molly Tuttle
68. Waxahatchee
69. Weezer
70. Jesse Wells (the spectacular fiddler who plays with Tyler Childers)
71. Olivia Wolfe

Summary

Teal Collins and Josh Zee, the powerhouse duo behind The Mother Truckers, are here to take us on a ride through their musical journey that's as untamed as a wild rodeo. They open up about how their family backgrounds sparked their creative fire. Teal’s dad, a jazz DJ, handed her a Les Paul electric guitar, while Josh's father, a folk singer, laid the foundation for his evolution into hard rock. They talk about their shift from California to the buzzing music scene in Austin and how it influenced the sound of their band. Now, with their latest album, Van Tour, they’ve embraced the DIY approach, self-producing the record with a level of freedom that’s made the whole process feel like an adventure. Between the humor and heartfelt stories, they reflect on the highs and lows of touring, the close-knit community with fellow musicians, and the genuine connection they feel with their fans. This episode is a celebration of the grind, the groove, and the joy of making music on their own terms.

Show Notes

1. Musicians Teal Collins and Josh Zee of The Mother Truckers join Sloane on Country Fried Rock to share their musical journeys and creative inspirations.
2. Teal discusses her early musical influences, particularly her father, a jazz DJ, who gifted her a Les Paul electric guitar, an instrument she still uses on stage today.
3. Josh talks about his upbringing, focusing on how his father shaped his love for music in the 80s, especially during the era of iconic guitar solos in rock.
4. They reminisce about their early band experiences and the challenges of breaking into the music scene, blending humor with reflections on their artistic growth.
5. The conversation shifts to their move to Austin, Texas, where they found a supportive and thriving music community that played a significant role in their success.
6. The duo discusses their latest album, Van Tour, emphasizing the freedom of creating music without the constraints of traditional record labels.
7. They provide a sneak peek into their upcoming U.S. and European tours, building anticipation for what’s next on the horizon.

Chapters

1. 00:00 - Introduction to Country Fried Rock
2. 02:21 - The Origins of the Mother Truckers
3. 06:46 - Run for Freedom: The Journey of Independence
4. 08:45 - Exploring Musical Influences and Inspirations
5. 11:51 - The Collaborative Process of Songwriting
6. 16:01 - Reflections on Touring and Connection

Takeaways

1. Teal and Josh talk about how their roots shaped the sound and style of The Mother Truckers.
2. The band shares how important collaboration is in their songwriting, letting creativity flow without too many rules.
3. Moving to Austin was a game-changer for them, opening up more opportunities and introducing them to a supportive music scene.
4. Their new album Van Tour marks a moment of freedom from the industry's pressures, making music fun again.
5. They reflect on the joy of connecting with fans on tour, building a sense of community through their music.
6. Their easy-going conversations about past influences add a personal touch to their story, showing how music is both a passion and a journey for them.

Mentioned in this Episode

1. The Mother Truckers
2. Little Steven's Underground Garage
3. Sirius
4. Stonehoney
5. Elmore James
6. Muddy Waters
7. Johnny Cash
8. Willie Nelson
9. George Jones
10. Hank Williams
11. Merle Haggard
12. AC/DC
13. The Rolling Stones
14. The Beatles
15. Kenny Loggins
16. Olivia Newton-John
17. REO Speedwagon
18. Les Paul

Recommended If You Like

Country Fried Rock, Mother Truckers, Teal Collins, Josh Zee, Austin music scene, songwriting process, creative inspiration, guitar stories, van tour, independent music, music collaboration, live performances, roots music, album releases, touring Europe, Little Steven's Underground Garage, music influences, band interviews, Americana music, creative journey, musicians' stories

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:00.800 - 00:00:09.040

Welcome to Country Fried Rock, where we talk with musicians to find out what inspires their creativity. Country Fried Rock music uncovered.

Speaker B

00:00:09.120 - 00:00:11.840

Hey, Teal. This is Sloan from Country Fried Rock.

Speaker C

00:00:12.000 - 00:00:13.440

Hi, Sloan. How are you?

Speaker B

00:00:13.600 - 00:00:15.200

I am doing well. How are you?

Speaker C

00:00:15.440 - 00:00:16.640

I'm great, thanks.

Speaker B

00:00:16.720 - 00:00:19.760

Thanks so much for both of y' all being with us here on Country Fried Rock.

Speaker C

00:00:19.840 - 00:00:20.960

Thanks for having us.

Speaker B

00:00:21.120 - 00:00:30.920

We've got Teal Collins and Josh Z. Chatting with us today. The Mother Truckers of Austin, Texas. Got major things happening these days. Yes, Teal, you are one bad mama jama.

Speaker C

00:00:31.800 - 00:00:34.360

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Speaker B

00:00:35.000 - 00:00:38.120

How on earth did you end up where you are now, musically?

Speaker C

00:00:38.600 - 00:00:56.680

I actually took up guitar when I was about 16. I first took up ukulele. My dad taught me the ukulele. And then I took up guitar when I was about 16.

My dad, who was a jazz disc jockey, was friends with Les Paul. Les Paul gave me my first electric guitar that I still play on stage every night with the Mother Truckers.

Speaker B

00:00:57.140 - 00:00:58.340

That's awesome.

Speaker C

00:00:58.740 - 00:01:23.590

One of my first bands, tradition, it was called, they had me sing a song, and I was kind of scared because I hadn't really. I always sang in my bedroom but never really sang out.

And I realized at that moment it was sure a lot easier than all these strings and frets and fingers. So I put down the guitar and started singing full time, you know, and then picked up the guitar again years later with this band. Been just great.

Speaker B

00:01:24.230 - 00:01:26.870

That is a great story. So what about you, Josh?

Speaker D

00:01:27.190 - 00:01:53.230

Well, my dad also was a musician. He could kind of play everything. He's a folk singer. He's taught me guitar. You know, I like hard rock stuff. I grew up in the 80s.

Guitar was everything. Even Olivia Newton John had a single out, but she had to have some blazing guitar solo or Kenny Logging. Everyone had to have a shredding guitar solo.

That was the time. So that's what I wanted to do and still am working on it to this day.

Speaker B

00:01:53.230 - 00:01:58.690

I guarantee this is the time anyone's ever referenced Olivia Newton John or Kenny Loggins on this show.

Speaker D

00:01:59.890 - 00:02:08.050

Yeah, well, I did it to illustrate a point of how prevalent and ubiquitous the shredding guitar solo was as a child. For me, sure.

Speaker C

00:02:08.050 - 00:02:11.290

Aria speedwagon, too. They had a shredder in the middle. Yeah.

Speaker D

00:02:11.290 - 00:02:18.290

Gary Rich Rath. He was pretty good. Yeah, There you go, Ari. SV Rock and Newton John and Kenny Loggins.

Speaker B

00:02:18.290 - 00:02:21.730

There you go. What led to the development of this.

Speaker A

00:02:21.730 - 00:02:23.010

Band with the Mother Truckers?

Speaker D

00:02:23.580 - 00:03:15.290

I was in a sort of hard rock, alternative, so to speak, band in the late 90s because the band was called Pro Team, and we had a couple of major label records out, and the whole thing kind of fell apart the way most record deals do. And I just wanted to do something really different than what I had been doing now.

I always had enjoyed the more rootsy, sort of country, bluesy stuff. I just started writing songs in that style, not orderly with a plan.

And once I had a sort of a couple batch of songs, started looking for band members, I knew I was never a good singer anyway, so I figured I need to find myself a good singer. So. Till and I had known each other for a long time. We grew up in the Bay Area together, so I already had my eye on her for a long time.

And it was just sort of natural. I just said, hey, do you know any. You know, any women who play the ukulele and sing that might want to.

Speaker B

00:03:15.290 - 00:03:16.650

Join my band by chance?

Speaker D

00:03:17.850 - 00:03:20.810

Yeah. And so that's kind of really how it worked with that.

Speaker B

00:03:21.550 - 00:03:24.430

So did the band start out in California and then move to Texas?

Speaker D

00:03:24.670 - 00:03:38.910

Yeah, we had the Mother Truckers out there until. And I moved here to Austin. And because we knew the music scene here in Austin was really strong, so. And we've been to Austin and I, we liked it.

About five years ago we moved here and it's been going real good ever since.

Speaker B

00:03:39.390 - 00:03:47.230

Talk a little bit about the early history of the Mother Truckers as a band, what y' all were working on, how you were getting your records out kind of leading up to now.

Speaker C

00:03:47.720 - 00:03:49.080

By hook and by crook.

Speaker A

00:03:50.920 - 00:03:51.480

True.

Speaker C

00:03:51.720 - 00:03:56.440

When we first started out in the Bay Area, of course nobody knows your name.

Speaker D

00:03:57.560 - 00:04:02.680

We had a lot of friends. We had a lot of friends, so it was easy for us to build up a following in the Bay Area.

Speaker C

00:04:02.840 - 00:04:13.640

Yeah, we did. But, I mean, as far as getting someone behind you, we kind of had to do a lot of writing and gathering songs together.

And we did an album out there, and that was great.

Speaker D

00:04:14.120 - 00:04:33.869

There's no industry out there right now in the Bay Area. Of course, in la there is. There's no managers. There's no.

I shouldn't say there's no managers or booking agents or labels, but there's just very few and they're very small. We had to go somewhere to get in and amongst an environment where there could be more opportunity for growth.

Speaker C

00:04:34.189 - 00:05:08.180

Yeah. And when we moved out here to Austin, we started doing residencies at this club and that club, playing once a week.

And when we did, it seemed like right away there were people, not many, but some people kind of keeping an eye on it. Taking pictures, saying, you know, you should talk to this person and that person.

It seemed like there was an interweaving of a network of people that wanted bands that they liked to do well. And we fell in with some great people and got a chance over there at the Continental Club to start doing a gig over there.

And, boy, it sure was great.

Speaker B

00:05:09.940 - 00:05:20.140

Y' all have had a lot of really nice support from other musicians that we know. Guy named Don Gallardo and a guy named Phil Hurley of Stonehoney. Both have just consistently had really nice things to say about y'.

Speaker D

00:05:20.140 - 00:05:20.220

All.

Speaker B

00:05:20.220 - 00:05:23.440

And there is no higher compliment than from one music to another.

Speaker C

00:05:23.840 - 00:05:24.720

That's the truth.

Speaker D

00:05:24.800 - 00:05:29.880

Absolutely. Those guys we've both known for a while now, and we both enjoy Stone Honey.

Speaker C

00:05:29.880 - 00:05:43.280

You know, we. We were so just blown away by them. And I think I embarrass myself at their shows because I'll.

I'll be standing right up front and singing the words, all the words to their song. So I just think they're great. Just enjoy them.

Speaker B

00:05:43.600 - 00:05:46.400

That's very nice. What leads you up to where y' all are now?

Speaker C

00:05:46.800 - 00:06:13.410

Well, we've made three albums in Austin. The fourth one we made in San Francisco before all that, but, you know, just touring. We had one record deal, which we got out of.

And so making this album was really a run for freedom. And it's been so great.

We've been getting some great support also from the press here in Austin, but also from Little Steven on his syndicated program, the Little Steven's Underground Garage on Sirius.

Speaker B

00:06:13.410 - 00:06:14.410

He's awesome.

Speaker C

00:06:14.650 - 00:06:21.290

He picked our song Summer of Love as one of the coolest songs in the world, which is such an honor because he.

Speaker D

00:06:21.820 - 00:06:22.740

Because he's Little Steven.

Speaker C

00:06:22.740 - 00:06:28.620

He's Little Steven. And he just. His program, so great. The music he spins on that program is just. It's great.

Speaker B

00:06:28.700 - 00:06:29.660

I totally agree.

Speaker A

00:06:29.660 - 00:06:30.620

When I grow up, I'm going to.

Speaker B

00:06:30.620 - 00:06:31.340

Be just like him.

Speaker C

00:06:32.300 - 00:06:35.500

Me, too. We can get the bandanas now.

Speaker B

00:06:35.500 - 00:06:46.380

Exactly. I've got the hair. Other than that, he really is great. That is so cool that that has happened for you all.

So talk a little bit about the good things about this Run for Freedom on this new release.

Speaker C

00:06:47.700 - 00:06:49.300

You want to field this one, babe?

Speaker D

00:06:49.380 - 00:07:17.000

Well, just. It's the same story that every. Well, not every band, but many bands have, is having a manager and a label that don't have your best interest in mind.

Bottom line, that can be really frustrating and very difficult. So just the absence of that and just being able to do things on our terms the way we feel is best. Obviously, Is a liberating experience.

It puts the fun back into the music. Makes you feel less like you have a job, more like you're just doing.

Speaker B

00:07:17.000 - 00:07:20.720

What you love and you're getting ready to take this on the road with the van tour.

Speaker A

00:07:20.720 - 00:07:21.800

What's coming up with that?

Speaker C

00:07:22.360 - 00:07:36.760

Well, we're doing some dates on the west coast, in the south and in the southwest we're doing, you know, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Phoenix and we're doing a whole California potpourri of dates. And then we go head over to Europe.

Speaker B

00:07:37.240 - 00:07:37.960

Woo hoo.

Speaker C

00:07:38.280 - 00:07:40.200

I know that's gonna really be fun.

Speaker D

00:07:40.600 - 00:07:42.200

Germany and Denmark over there.

Speaker B

00:07:42.600 - 00:07:45.320

Are you doing like a VW Vestfalia van tour there?

Speaker D

00:07:45.710 - 00:07:51.310

I found that if you, if you hit the coast in the van going fast enough, you can make it across the Atlantic.

Speaker B

00:07:52.510 - 00:07:55.630

So do y' all have any kind of sponsors with that, with the van tour?

Speaker D

00:07:55.870 - 00:07:56.190

No.

Speaker C

00:07:56.190 - 00:07:58.150

Do you have anybody in mind for us?

Speaker A

00:07:58.150 - 00:07:58.430

No.

Speaker B

00:07:58.430 - 00:08:00.670

I was hoping you did. I was going to let you plug it.

Speaker C

00:08:00.830 - 00:08:05.150

Well, I know. Let me see. I'll. Can I plug my dream, My wish list?

Speaker B

00:08:05.150 - 00:08:06.270

Hey, yeah, let's do it.

Speaker C

00:08:06.430 - 00:08:08.390

Well, I can't give them free advertising.

Speaker A

00:08:08.390 - 00:08:08.830

True.

Speaker C

00:08:08.830 - 00:08:11.550

They've just got to come get on board and then we'll call you back.

Speaker B

00:08:11.550 - 00:08:27.620

Well, I'll tell you what, There is plenty of opportunity for any kind of movie, mobile living situation. Who is looking for one kick band to support on this van tour? I'll just put it out there. Listen, I have no shame.

Speaker C

00:08:27.940 - 00:08:44.660

We announced that tour. We started getting a lot of orders from Denmark, Germany, Australia and all kinds of places which I'm very grateful for.

And hopefully people will come out and see us. And this will be the first of many trips over there....

Summary

From 2012: Brace yourself for some serious tunes and good vibes as Brason Alexander from Midnight Salvage hops on the mic with the gang at Country Fried Rock. They dive deep into the band’s origin story, filled with college antics, Craigslist connections, and the quest for musical magic that kicked off their journey. Brason spills the beans on how their sound has evolved, especially after bringing in a new drummer who’s been a game-changer for their live performances. The convo gets juicy with insights on the recording process, their ambitions for a bigger, bolder sound, and how they’re not just going to stick to the same ol' formula; oh no, they’re aiming to get all experimental and push boundaries this time around. Tune in for a laid-back chat that’s packed with musical passion and a sprinkle of good ol’ humor; this episode is a must-listen for any music lover!

Links

• REMINDER: IGNORE ALL LINKS OR EVENTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE FROM 2012
• Toss a few in our Tip Jar!

• Brason Alexander
• Midnight Salvage
• Alexander was later in Mismatched Black
• You may also enjoy this conversation with Annie Rothschild of Paladino from 2012

Show Notes

In this episode, Country Fried Rock welcomes Brason Alexander from Midnight Salvage for a laid-back, honest, and often hilarious look at the winding road of building a band from scratch.

Here’s what you’ll hear in the conversation:

• From friends to bandmates:
• Brason shares how a spontaneous family trip set things in motion—returning to find his longtime friend Brian Keel had taken some loose musical ideas and turned them into full-fledged songs.
• Craigslist, chaos, and commitment:
• The pair’s search for bandmates through unconventional means (yes, Craigslist) brings laughs and insight into the unpredictable process of forming a band.
• Garage shows to studio sessions:
• Brason talks about the evolution from casual gigs to recording their first album, focusing on quality over quantity and the decision to take their sound seriously.
• Poetry before notes:
• Songwriting started early for Brason—ditching classroom notes for poems in high school, laying the foundation for his expressive and thoughtful lyrics.
• A sound shaped by family and influence:
• With roots in a wide range of musical styles, Brason discusses how family and eclectic tastes helped shape Midnight Salvage’s unique blend of sounds.
• The Brason–Brian dynamic:
• Collaboration is key. Brason opens up about how he and Brian developed a creative partnership built on support, honesty, and mutual inspiration.
• Studio revelations:
• The recording process brought unexpected lessons. Brason reflects on working with a producer, the clarity it brought to their sound, and learning when to step back and let the music breathe.
• Eyes on the future:
• With new music in the works, Brason hints at pushing creative boundaries while staying grounded in the band’s origins and core values.

This episode is packed with storytelling, creative process insights, and the kind of real talk that makes you feel like you’re right there in the room.

A must-listen for anyone who loves music built on friendship, passion, and a little bit of chaos.

Chapters

• 00:09 - Introducing Brason Alexander
• 03:19 - The Evolution of Midnight Salvage
• 06:00 - Transitioning to a New Album and Sound
• 14:23 - The Transition to Touring and Family Life
• 18:30 - The Evolution of the Band: Changes and Challenges
• 20:00 - Transition to New Music Recording

Takeaways

• Brason and Brian's musical journey is a testament to the power of friendship and collaboration, showcasing how a spontaneous idea can evolve into a passionate band like Midnight Salvage.
• The creative process of songwriting is an intricate dance, where influences are borrowed and transformed, reflecting a deep connection among band members that fuels their artistic endeavors.
• The transition from casual gigs to a serious recording process reveals the band's growth and commitment to refining their sound, demonstrating that quality often trumps quantity in music.
• The importance of having a skilled producer in the studio cannot be underestimated, as it can drastically shape the musical output, guiding the band to craft a clearer and more polished sound.
• Emphasizing experimentation over formulaic songwriting, the band aims to enhance their musical complexity while still creating catchy tunes that resonate with their audience.
• As Midnight Salvage prepares for their next album, they reflect on past experiences and aim to bring new elements into their music, showcasing their aspiration for growth and innovation.

Mentioned in this Episode

• Midnight Salvage
• Craigslist
• Aubrey Shelton
• Conrad Uno
• Nixon
• Nuci's Space
• Full Tones
• Steve Soto
• Twisted Hearts

Recommended If You Like

country fried rock, Midnight Salvage, musician interviews, band formation, songwriting process, Tacoma music scene, Americana music, local music gigs, garage band recording, music creativity, songwriting inspiration, band member dynamics, indie music podcasts, local shows, music collaboration, recording albums, live performance tips, music community support, emerging artists, music industry challenges

Transcript

Speaker A

00:00:00.800 - 00:00:13.920

Welcome to Country Fried Rock, where we talk with musicians to find out what inspires their creativity. Country Fried Rock music uncovered. My guest today on Country Fried Rock is Brayson Alexander of the band Midnight Salvage. Welcome.

Speaker B

00:00:14.080 - 00:00:15.280

Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Speaker A

00:00:15.280 - 00:00:21.760

Thanks for being on Country Fried Rock. Let's set the stage for people who may not be familiar with Midnight Salvage yet. How did y' all get together as a band?

Speaker B

00:00:22.160 - 00:00:56.550

It's been a different ride. Brian Keel, our lead guitar player. Been friends for a while, and in college I actually spoke. I left for Christmas vacation to go see my family.

I stuck a bunch of stuff on his door and just left kind of in a hurry. When I got back, he actually had music to it and I thought it would kick off from there, but then it just.

We both kind of went different ways for a while, but then we kind of got back together. He started teaching me how to play guitar. Finally we said, we need to. Let's see if we can get a band, see what we can do.

So we talked to his friend, which now is his brother in law, into going from guitar to bass. And then we found a drummer on Craigslist.

Speaker A

00:00:57.030 - 00:00:57.750

That's awesome.

Speaker B

00:00:58.070 - 00:01:25.510

And so then we started that and it was more just a thing of, let's see, let's play a gig, okay, let's play two gigs, let's play this. Let's try and make an album in the garage. Essentially, we did. The brother in law just got too busy is our new drummer.

He's been with us for about a year or so. We knew him from other bands and when our other drummer left, we were starting the process of finding a drummer and we were actually shocked.

He called us and said, hey, you guys looking for a drummer? I'd be interested. And we found out. We were excited. We were like, okay.

Speaker A

00:01:26.050 - 00:01:29.330

More and more bands are finding bandmates through Craigslist.

Speaker B

00:01:29.570 - 00:02:03.860

Yeah, it's kind of like themats.com for bands. Poetry then started off. When I was in high school, I hated English because they always had seating charts by your first and last name.

It's switching that semester. Well, being Brace and Alexander, I'm sitting in the front every time they switch the chart.

So the key from getting in trouble without paying attention, I just wrote stuff, you know, Even when I got into college, I still, like, end up writing, like, more of my own stuff than notes I took and just kind of kept at it. And I didn't know what I was doing with it. I just kept doing it just for, I don't know, probably some kind of release. Or whatever.

But that's kind of how that started.

Speaker A

00:02:04.260 - 00:02:05.940

Were you into music as a fan?

Speaker B

00:02:06.100 - 00:02:31.920

Yeah, I loved music a lot when I was younger. I didn't play anything. We had this piano in the basement.

To this day, I still regret not doing more than anything banging on it really hard, pretending I was Jerry Lee Lewis for five seconds. I used to listen to a lot of our radio stations. I didn't sleep a lot and my mom actually bought me old stereo.

And I remember I'd stay up nights listening that. Used to play all the new stuff later in the night. And I kind of like. It was my chance to try and predict which song would become popular.

Speaker A

00:02:32.000 - 00:02:33.280

What were you successful with?

Speaker B

00:02:33.840 - 00:02:40.560

You know, I can't remember back then it was, but pretty good. I think from the get go. It was entertaining, to say the least.

Speaker A

00:02:40.560 - 00:02:42.640

What kind of stuff did you like to listen to at that point?

Speaker B

00:02:42.640 - 00:03:18.760

You know, when I was younger, there's kind of three camps of music that I dealt with. My dad was a big country fan when I was with him and fishing and stuff like that. It was, you know, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, John Connolly.

I think we played the John Connolly tape till it burned out. And my mom was kind of the rule of the roost as far as the music played in the house. So it always had to be something a little more prettier.

Simon Garfunkel, Elton John, and then my brothers. I have three older brothers. They were the next big influence for me because they were old enough to start buying albums.

But they actually had me into anything from a lot of rap, you know, Marvin Gay, to anything.

Speaker A

00:03:19.250 - 00:03:28.130

As you all came together with the early stages of Midnight Salvage, how did you and Brian in particular, continue that relationship of the writing and the developing the song itself?

Speaker B

00:03:28.530 - 00:04:23.100

Well, early on I'd have to steal riffs from Brian and try and match. For some reason, I'm pretty lucky in that when I get some music, I write a bunch of stuff. Like if he gives me something I really like in my head.

There's three or four things that I've written down that match that now always takes a little massage. And so early on he would give me something and I would try and copy it.

And then I really needed to be able to play it musically, which early on was very tough. I wasn't the greatest guitar player there was. Still not, but that's all right.

And then I found out quickly that I had to get better musically at least. I didn't have to play anything great, but I had to be able to get through Chords and find chords I liked and stuff like that.

So then I've gotten down the road where I can put stuff together somewhat musically. And then Brian is always kind of my savior. And the other guys are really starting to get good at it too, where, like, I'll get.

Or I'll play something too repetitively. And he goes, no, we gotta go from here to here.

Speaker A

00:04:23.340 - 00:04:39.180

There's a lot of give and take then in the process of developing a song at this point then, yeah, as you gathered and originally were forming kind of organically with, hey, let's play out, let's record. What routes did that take you all through? Were you hitting the road or were you just trying to play locally?

Speaker B

00:04:39.420 - 00:05:18.140

We played a lot of local shows, you know, within about an hour radius of Tacoma, Seattle. We've always been a band that wants to sound good, so I think sometimes that takes preference over us trying to just go play a thousand gigs.

Early on, we were just trying to play locally and say, okay, how does this sound? Later on, we added Aubrey Shelton on the keyboard, who's just awesome to have.

But as we started getting different players and essentially better players, we all were playing too much, like, on top of each other. So as we played more, it was like, okay, who's going to back out here?

That kind of became the process of trying to just make it a little smoother and not everyone just banging away at the same time.

Speaker A

00:05:18.300 - 00:05:23.260

And so did that become real apparent for you in playing live, or was it when you finally got around to recording?

Speaker B

00:05:23.820 - 00:05:57.880

I think the biggest ones, when we. When we got around recording, but live, it was live, were the littler lessons where. Where you learn, like, okay, we are doing it too much.

But I think when we record, especially when we. We finally got to recording the album the right way and we got in with Conrad Uno, that's when, like, we play and, you know, record stuff.

And then got to Nixon. We'd come in and he had pulled certain stuff out. We'd go, oh, wow.

That's probably how we should have been playing that, where not everybody's jamming away. Like, let the. Let the. Let the piano go. Hey, this is Brayson Alexander with Midnight Savage Company. You're listening to Country Fried Rock.

Speaker A

00:05:57.960 - 00:05:59.960

So how did you end up deciding to work with him?

Speaker B

00:06:00.120 - 00:07:11.410

You know, when we started our album, we actually started with all the original members trying to do the album. We had recorded an ep, like just a demo to give to people to get in the doorway. It was what it was. You know, it's nothing. We're all playing nowadays.

So we started, we said, okay, let's make a full length album. And we thought we could do it ourselves because we said, well, the EP is not our favorite thing in the world. But we got there.

We started this process with all the original band members. We brought down a sound guy. We. We did a bunch of things and we just could not try to record individual parts.

And even the drums and things, it just wasn't going well. And it kind of came like the.

When we play out live, it became like the running question to dodge from people because they'd be like, hey, when's that? When's that album coming? And we'd be like, yeah, soon.

And it literally about a year went by of when we first started recording and trying to do it ourselves.

And then when Mike Haley joined the band and Dustin was now in the band for a couple months, we just really said, we got to do this the right way and get somebody in front front of us who takes care of it, and we can just worry about playing and not trying to do all that. So we contacted Conrad and we just kind of heard from other bands that he was a good guy to work through.

And that's where Jimmy said, okay, let's go to him. It really sped up the process.

Speaker A

00:07:11.730 - 00:07:21.690

As you went in initially to work with Conrad, you know, you had songs that had been fleshed out to a point. What else helped with having him there to kind of guide that process really.

Speaker B

00:07:21.690 - 00:08:07.470

First, he's great to work with.

I think we're all like the music enough and are proud of it enough, that when we go in there, we didn't want someone thinking they could just, you know, turn it into their album. We were all kind of on the fence, like, oh, this is our album.

And he's just real easy to work with, but he gets his way at the end, which is great, so you don't feel like you're trampled on.

The big one is still like, just when we listen to stuff back and he pulled things out and I think initially sometimes your feelings are hurt, but then you're like, wow, okay. I know for me, I played acoustic guitar at that time on everything, and we pulled a lot of it out.

And at first I was like, well, geez, there goes my guitar parts. And then I was like, you know what? It's better that way. And even Brian would come and play some acoustic stuff.

The big lesson for us is just trying to get it to sound a little more smooth and not ever limp on top of each other.

Speaker A

00:08:08.290 - 00:08:12.930

How did that then translate as you had the record and took it out to play after the fact.

Speaker B

00:08:13.330 - 00:08:40.910

I think it's made us a lot better. It's made where things are clear, where lyrics are clear. You can hear those clear or that guitar solo or drum solo or piano solo. And even on the.

The one song, 21st street, we have Courtney Shelton, who's our keyboardist's wife, plays violin. And early on, she played a lot more than this on the album. And I. When they pulled a little bit out of it, it made it emphasized the parts and they.

And it makes those parts even more special.

Speaker A

00:08:41.310 - 00:08:46.510

What has changed about the songs in this? There's been quite a bit of time since this has happened.

Speaker B

00:08:46.590 - 00:09:19.930

A big difference is the drummer. Mike Haley, our new drummer, is just very. He's very consistent. He knows when to pull out and kind of come in at right parts. Dustin Lau, our bassist.

I mean, Dustin La, just. He can. He makes these great little bass parts where he does little bass runs.

And when we listen to the album back, I was just like, wow, that's what he play. That's awesome.

And I...