With their unique mix of blues and country influences Wallin-Jison are back with new acoustic album "Definitely Blue" a creative seven track outing that is both interesting and engaging. Here, member Christian Wallin talks about the project, songwriting, Pistol Annies, and more.

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
The very last song that was written for this album was a song called "Definitely Blue". It had a somewhat similar vibe as another track, so at the last minute we decided to drop the song, but keep the title. It seemed to fit the mood of the album.

Please share the story behind your album’s artwork.
It's an illustration I did of things that just very loosely relates to the themes of the songs. I didn't want it to be too specific, just something that would spark the imagination.

Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
We never put more than seven songs on any of our albums, because when you produce, mix and master your own music like we do, with 10 or 12 songs the mixing process can really start to drag on and it's easy to lose your focus on the overall feel of the album. So we rather make shorter albums and put them out more frequently.  But shorter albums also mean that selecting the songs is harder and there are always a lot of songs that doesn't make the cut. This time we really wanted to showcase the different sides to our music, so there are softer country songs, like "Move Around The Room" which we knew was going to be the first song, and "Sixth Sense" which is the first real slow song we have done in a while. Then there are songs like "You're A Different Person Now" and "My Buddy's Wife (What Kind Of Friend Are You?) which are much more raw and bluesy. "End of The Month" and "You Never Cared" are somewhere in the middle, but have a lot of banjo on them, so that makes for an interesting mix.  

"It's the kind of real deal twang and dirt Americana record that we started the Americana radio format for back in the mid 90's.” - Brad Paul co-founder of Americana Music Association

For Robbie Walden, it's all about the songwriting - and the strength of his is front and center on his upcoming album, When The Rooster Crows. Due February 15th, the live to tape project is a reflection of Robbie's personal life over the last 5 years from divorce, bitterness, and self-destruction to finding happiness, peace, and true, honest love.  In advance of the release, Walden answered his e8 and spoke about the album's artwork, inspiration, eating healthy on the road, and more.

Please share the story behind your album’s artwork.
I have always wanted to draw my own album artwork, as I have drawn most of my life, and love it! With this being such a personal album and concept album, I decided this was the time to do so. So I have drawn the entire album artwork.

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
This is an extremely personal album, a musical reflection of the last 5 years—a diary so to speak. From divorce, bitterness, and self-destruction to finding happiness, peace, and true honest love; track 8, “When the Rooster Crows”, is the turning point in the story and the album. From turmoil and heartache, we strip it all down, take a deep breath, and realize each day is a new beginning, and everything is going to be okay... when the rooster crows” 

When/where do you do your best writing?
Alone, when I have time to think, or while I am watching something on TV.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
All the above. More often from a first person and personal experience.

Award-winning Toronto vocalist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell is rewriting the narrative of her past in a new album that says farewell to transience, both emotional and physical. With her new album, Getaway, due out February 1, 2019, Lapell offers parting words to a time in her life she’s leaving behind, making peace with putting down roots, both with her life in Toronto and within love. The eleven prairie-noir tracks on Getaway represent a dynamic closing to this reflective journey combining a mid-century tone with a modern edge. Here, Lapell answers her e8 where she speaks about the album, podcasts, the importance of noting time zones, and more!



​Is there a story behind your album’s title?
I called the album “Getaway” because the songs all coalesce around the idea of leaving – a lot of road songs and breakup songs and otherworldly kinds of getting away and escape. I also love the ambiguity of the term “Getaway”, because it could refer to a vacation – like a “romantic getaway” – but also an escape, as in “getaway car.” This seemed fitting for an album full of ambivalent love songs and road songs.

Please share the story behind your album’s artwork.
I designed the album artwork using photographs by Gaelle Legrand, a great photographer/videographer based in Montreal. She and I went out to the Scarborough Bluffs, just east of downtown Toronto, to find this dreamy spot she knew of. But in the end got super lost and caught in the rain and super soaked and muddy, just trying to find the beach. So it was a bit of an adventure, wading through creeks and mud and brambles – but we eventually made it to the shore, which was stunning. And because of the rain, the light had this perfect flat, grey quality. The image on the album cover was actually an outtake, me with a backpack slung over one shoulder, checking my phone while clutching an umbrella – but it ended up being one of my favourite shots. It sort of captured the spirit of the day, and of the album itself, in a way. I love the gentle irony of the album title, “Getaway”-- which sounds like a relaxing, romantic vacation -- juxtaposed with this rainy, mundane and slightly frazzled candid shot.
 
Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
The theme of the album is leaving, and it opens and closes with songs about leaving. It wasn’t necessarily planned, but I had written a ton of songs over the last couple of years so I had a lot of material to choose from. It was actually a bit frustrating trying to do so, trying to decide what to leave on the cutting room floor, so to speak. So envisioning this theme helped solidify some of those choices and ended up anchoring the project.

Watch the music video for “Bottle In My Hand”

A former U.S. Marine who served eight years in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gethen Jenkins is an award-winning singer-songwriter who was born in Huntington, West Virginia, raised in a rural Indian Village in Alaska, and brought up on American music, from the purest of bluegrass to whiskey-soaked honkytonk. In February, Jenkins will release his new album, Western Gold, and here he answers his e8 where he talks songwriting, eating on the road (Whataburger!), Willie's Picnic, and more.

When/where do you do your best writing?
GJ: I do my best writing when I am alone and inspired by people, places, experiences, and things I have seen. I like the desert and riding my motorcycle. I pull a lot of inspiration from the people I meet in my travels as I get to know them in a short amount of time.

What’s your favorite/”go-to” food on the road?
GJ: When I’m on the road I eat like crap because I’m trying to get anywhere and everywhere in a hurry. Whataburger never closes. Otherwise there is always Mountain Dew with crushed ice and peppered beef jerky. Whatever gets you by until the next free venue meal.

What’s your dream venue and why?
GJ: Dream venue is the Ryman Auditorium. No doubt. It almost needs no explanation for Country music. It is the ultimate. My second pick would be Willies 4th of July Picnic.

Nashville transplant J. Hartley released his new single, “John Wayne,” in November 2018. The track, which blends country songwriting with pop and beat-driving elements, was produced with Lalo Guzman and Academy of Country Music Award nominated Brad Hill, and solidifies Hartley's place as an independent singer-songwriter with tactful metaphors and a strong vocal range, all while appealing to a growing fan base. Here, Hartley answers his e8 and talks about the song, the importance of being humble, the Super Bowl, beef jerky, and more!

​Is there a story behind your new single John Wayne?
This song was written four years ago and I think everyone who has heard it at the live show has been waiting for me to release it. We kinda got the inspiration from the song “Tom Ford” by Jay Z. When we all got to the studio to write, we were talking about how it would be cool to do a song about John Wayne. We asked each other “How was John Wayne in the movies?”. He was the good guy, who had to stand up for what was right and prove himself. We pulled from my own life experiences and wrote about the way I try to live my own life. The song is definitely true to me. When it is time to get work done, I have my sleeves up and it’s time to go. You have to hustle and get things done in life. I am not the type to start a fight, but I will finish one – just like John Wayne.

Please share the story behind the album’s artwork?
Every time I listened to “John Wayne”, I thought it was an impactful song. It’s about a tough guy. So, when I started thinking about the album artwork, I wanted it to have a twist – to be funny, but still relatable to John Wayne. I thought, “how are we going to do this?” and then it came to me, “I’m going to sit on a toy horse!”. Chase Laur and Allan Gieger made the vision come to life. We shot the photo outside of a Kroger in Nashville and at the very end, this old lady stopped and asked what we were shooting for. So we told her and asked her really quick is she wanted to walk through and be in the shot. She took her glasses off, fixed her hair, walked through and said “Next stop, Hollywood!”

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
The best advice I could give to a musician is to be humble, be nice, be patient, and work hard. It sounds simple, but you need to always try to be nice because you don’t know what other people are going through and you don’t want to give them a reason not to like you. And then, you have to be patient. This is a lot of work and it doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve been in Nashville 5 years and I have learned you just have to stick with it, and enjoy the journey. Whenever anything happens that is cool and on the way up – don’t let it go to your head.

Candi Carpenter's musical roots are buried deep in memories of stained glass windows and dog eared hymnals, as she toured the Midwest with her family’s gospel band. At age 11, she crashed a Vince Gill concert and later that year, she signed her first production deal in Nashville. She traded high school for a room at The Shoney’s Inn and the classroom for the stages of Music City's honky-tonks honing her craft in real world experience as she grew. Recently, the singer-songwriter-performer took the time to answer her e8 where she spoke of Jack Greene, the Opry, Eminem, painting, and more.

Did you have a musical mentor?If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
Country music legend and Grand Ole Opry star, Jack Greene, took me under his wing as his duet partner when I was a teenager. I learned everything I know about performing from touring with my heroes, like Jack, Jeannie Seely, Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Porter Wagoner. In my early twenties, Phil Everly became my songwriting mentor. I cherish everything they taught me. My mentor now is my producer, Ron Fair.

When/where do you do your best writing?
Unfortunately, I get most of my song ideas as soon as I lay down in bed at night. This is probably the reason why I’m an insomniac.

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Never, ever, ever give up. You never know what might have happened the day after you do.Candi Carpenter's musical roots are buried deep in memories of stained glass windows and dog eared hymnals, as she toured the Midwest with her family’s gospel band. At age 11, she crashed a Vince Gill concert and later that year, she signed her first production deal in Nashville. She traded high school for a room at The Shoney’s Inn and the classroom for the stages of Music City's honky-tonks. Recently, the singer-songwriter-performer graciously took the time to chat about her roots, learning from her heroes, her latest tune, "Cry Baby", and more.

Taylor Johnson spent his for formative years in the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada where he cut his teeth writing songs and performing in various indie rock bands.

At the age of 18 he relocated to Los Angeles where he studied music business and began ghost writing songs professionally for the leading songwriters and artists in pop, country, hip hop and rock which have topped charts in counties all over theworld.

Although always thankful to be continuously working, Taylor felt a large part of his artistic freedom and general happiness were being compromised working as a ghost writer. A longing for writing more personal, meaningful songs and performing those songs was ever present. With that, Taylor began writing and performing as The Hope State.

Now living in Toronto, Canada, Taylor released his debut album, Skeletons, an introspective and intensely honest look at regret, depression, addiction, love and loss on November 30th 2018. And here, he answers his e8 where he discusses the album and songwriting, offers touring tips and thoughts on drinking at gigs, and more.

​Is there a story behind your album’s title? 
The song title came first and when we were getting everything ready for the release I felt it was the most fitting. Skeletons is about falling apart and not being able to tell anyone what’s wrong, and not really understanding it yourself... but wanting to get better above all.
​
When/where do you do your best writing?
I tend to do my best writing when I’m traveling. It opens that part of my brain in a really nice way. Seeing people of different walks of life, living their lives in ways that are very different than what I’m used to helps me create stories. I also tend to get into writing mode when I’m trying to fall asleep... it’s not ideal but I’ve learned to accept it.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
A combination. Most of my writing is about real things but often told in a way that tells a better story. Story songwriters like Bruce Springsteen have always been my favorites lyrically, so I guess I draw a lot from that. Everything comes from a real feeling I’ve connected to in some way or another.

"If John Prine and Bill Withers were to somehow have an offspring, odds are he would be a lot like Anthony" -- Vents Magazine

New York native Griffin Anthony recently released his third album, Refuge, which showcases the singer-songwriter's ability to balance ambition with humility via well-crafted character driven narratives. Recorded at East Nashville’s analog wonderland The Bomb Shelter, with producer Jon Estes (Kesha, John Paul White) and the additional aid of Grammy Award-winning Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Margo Price), the charming nine-song LP is replete with a profound perspective cloaked in simple eloquence spanning the themes of faith, isolation, transition, and hope.

Here, Griffin thoughtfully answers his Essential 8 where he shares the story behind Refuge, talks songwriting, Jack Daniels, not fearing saying no, and more.

​Is there a story behind your album’s title?
 The album’s title (Refuge) suggests a destination where safe-haven or happiness exists and its nine songs trace characters at different stages of their lives- on the quest to find that destination. Happiness is subjective and there’s really no single sure-bet formula of how or where to find it. We all take different paths towards it; and furthermore, how to learn to preserve it. That’s one of the aspects of the human condition that interests me the most me as a songwriter. As a species, we’re survivors. We’re all sorts of flawed, but somehow, still hopeful and resilient.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? 
A little bit of personal experience and autobiographical stuff always seems to bleed into the material, but I often write from a fictitious first-person perspective. As therapeutic as songwriting can be, it’s my job and if a song doesn’t challenge me, it’s easy for me to get bored. I don’t always like the characters I write about, but I try to exhibit empathy for them and do them justice. Refuge definitely has a more a lyric-first approach to song construction- more so than my previous releases. This album spans some new thematic territory for my writing. One of its tunes, ’1954,’ tells the story of a WWII veteran on the ten year anniversary of D-day. With a tune like that, I drew from the stories that my grandfather used to tell, but wanted to illuminate the way PTSD was brushed under the rug during one of the most celebrated times in American history. I guess that’s a good example of a tune that, while interjecting some of my political beliefs, combines the experiences of others with well known historical events.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
Usually between midnight and 5am. I like when it’s still dark outside and there’s minimal distractions. Once texts and emails start rolling in, I’m sunk. Gimmie a dark room with my Macbook and a piano or a guitar and I’m at my best. As long as hotel rooms are blacked-out dark and quiet, I’m good, but the majority of Refuge was written in my living room at home.