 Credit: Margaret Malandruccolo Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Janiva Magness returns on February 23rd with her fourteenth album, Love Is An Army, which finds her reunited with producer Dave Darling. Fusing the classic sounds of Memphis and Nashville with a modern twist, the twelve track project features songs that balance love, hope and protest, all delivered by Magness' singular vocals. Here, she answers her Essential 8 and talks about her new album, musical mentors, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? A FEW OVER THE COURSE OF MY CAREER. If so, who was it and how did they influence you? BOB TATE (Sam Cooke/Jackie Wilson Musical Director, etc.) WHO MENTORED ME REGARDING DISCIPLINES AND BAND POLITICS AND BUSINESS. SUPER HELPFUL TO ME AS A 20-SOMETHING WOMAN NAVIGATING A SEA OF SHARKS IN THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC. HE HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITY I HAD AS A BAND LEADER ON A MUCH DEEPER LEVEL WHICH MADE ME A BETTER BAND LEADER AND BUSINESS WOMAN. HE ALSO HELPED ME RECOGNIZE THAT SOMEONE ELSES ISSUE WITH ME BEING A WOMAN AND BEING THE BOSS OR SOMEONE ELSES ISSUE WITH MY RACE WAS, WELL NOT MY PROBLEM, IT WAS THEIR PROBLEM AND I WOULD GAIN GREAT STRENGTHS FROM THIS UNDERSTANDING. THEN I WOULD SAY GAYLE HENSLEY GUNDERSON AND NANCY COX WHO WERE BOTH EARLY CAREER VOICE TEACHERS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS AREA, WHO HELPED ME LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE OF MY INSTRUMENT, WHICH WOULD MAKE ME A BETTER SINGER AND STORY TELLER ULTIMATELY. CURRENTLY AND MOST CERTAINLY DAVE DARLING, MY FRIEND, PRODUCER AND MENTOR. DAVE HAS HELPED ME BE A BETTER SINGER, A MORE AUTHENTIC COMMUNICATOR IN PART BY HELPING BECOME MORE VULNERABLE IN MY CRAFT, HE HELPED ME BECOME A SONG WRITER - WHICH I WAS VERY RELUCTANT & FRIGHTENED TO TRY. THAT IDEA OF WRITING SONGS HAS ULTIMATELY HELPED TO EXPAND MY CAREER. THESE ARE THE BIG ONES AND ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN KIND, HONEST, APPROPRIATELY CRITICAL AND ENCOURAGING TO ME. I AM SUPER GRATEFUL TO THEM ALL. With any particular song, was there “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? WELL THIS MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER YOU ARE SEEKING… I DONT HAVE THOSE KIND OF MOMENTS. PROBABLY BECAUSE I TRY TO KEEP WHAT BUDDHISTS REFER TO AS THE “STUDENT MIND”. REMAIN OPEN AND REMAIN LEARNING, SO COMPLETED AND PERFECT SORT OF DONT EXIST IN THE STUDENT MIND. I CAN TELL YOU THOUGH THERE ARE CERTAIN MOMENTS WITH SOME SONGS WHERE I KNOW WE HAVE SAID ALL THERE IS TO SAY WITHIN THE FRAME OF THAT SONG. WHAT’S THAT SAY ABOUT YOU AND THE TITLE TRACK LOVE IS AN ARMY WOULD BE TWO SUCH TUNES…THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN THE LYRIC AND MUSIC IS WRITTEN... AND SOMETIMES NOT UNTIL WE ARE ACTUALLY TRACKING THE VOCALS. BECAUSE THERE MAY BE A PHRASE OR PART THAT DOES NOT MAKE ITSELF KNOWN UNTIL THAT VERY MOMENT. AS WAS THE CASE WITH WHAT’S THAT SAY ABOUT YOU. IF IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM SUPERSTITIOUS WITH THE PROCESS OF SONGWRITING... I AM. THEN THERE ARE TIMES I DONT “KNOW ITS DONE” TILL AFTER THE MIX IS DONE AND I REALIZE, WAIT... ITS REALLY GOOD! I JUST COULDN’T SEE OR HEAR THAT BEFORE, FROM BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE SONG, TOO INSIDE IT. IT’S ONE OF THE MANY REASONS I BELIEVE I AM SUPER FORTUNATE TO HAVE A PRODUCER I DEEPLY TRUST.
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 Courtesy: Conqueroo
The Legendary Shack Shakers front man, JD Wilkes, will release his wildly creative solo debut, Fire Dream, on February 16th. The ten track project, which features members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Drive-By Truckers, and The Bo-Keys, is a tapestry of styles that is unique, innovative, and artistic. In advance of the album's release, Wilkes took the time to answer his Essential 8 and talk musical mentors, songwriting, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? I guess I have three mentors for each of the instruments I play live: My main harmonica influence is my grandpa who gave me my first “French harp” and showed me some folk tunes. Also, at a young age, I was fortunate enough to meet the famous blues-harpist and Muddy Waters sideman, Junior Wells, who taught me how to get the most of the instrument. My banjo guru is Mr. Lee Sexton from Linefork, KY whose style predates Bluegrass music. And my mom gave me piano lessons all growing up. But I guess that actually makes four mentors, oops! With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? It had to be when I heard the addition of horns and harmony vocals. That is usually when any tune somehow magically snaps to perfection (provided the core of the song is quality too.) What’s the story behind your album’s title? A friend of my mine was relating a vision she had while meditating on a campfire. The otherworldly aspects of nature, and the dancing shadows thrown by the flicker, also factored into the imagery I added later.  Jamie McLean. Photo by John Ewing.
Jamie McLean Band - Jamie McLean (guitar and vocals), Brian Griffin (drums) and Ben Mars (bass) - is gearing up to release their long awaited new album One and Only on February 23rd. Recorded at the famed Sound Emporium and produced by Ken Coomer (Wilco), One and Only captures the band’s strongest songwriting to date on eleven tracks that incorporate New Orleans soul, Delta blues, middle America roots, and New York City swagger. In advance of the album's release, McLean kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8 and talk all things songwriting, his favorite venue, and much more!
With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? There were a couple of songs that I brought to the studio with me for One and Only that were solid and finished but something was missing. When I sat down in the studio with producer Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo) he asked me to play the songs and when we finished he gave me some simple directions. "Sing It" was one that we've done as a band for years in a bluesy shuffle style. He asked me "What would it sound like if Keith Richards wrote this?"Literally a minute later I had the riff and groove for the new version and I love it! A similar thing happened with "Yesterdays Champagne." Originally it was written in an upbeat country type feel. He asked me to try a different rhythm with it and immediately I had the new version which reminds me of 461 Ocean Boulevard era Eric Clapton. It's amazing what can happen when you look at something with just a slightly different perspective. When/where do you do your best writing? Writing songs is always such an elusive and mysterious process. Generally, I do most of my writing when I'm completely alone. I've written on my couch in Brooklyn, on tour buses and in hotel rooms, and on vacations but the best stuff comes when it's quiet and uninterrupted. When I'm alone I feel free enough to just let it all out. I can really work through that process of creating something from nothing. I"m not afraid to scream weird vocal parts or try silly lyrics. It usually starts with some guitar strumming and a chord pattern followed by some vocal ideas. Once I have a melody that feels good I let the lyrics flow unconsciously. At first, sounds are almost more important than actual words. I certainly chip away at the stone and shape the themes but it's amazing what happens when you just get out of your own way and let things happen naturally. Do you write about real things that have happened to you or are you a storyteller? Which is easier? I definitely do a bit of both. Recently I've been able to let my guard down even more and really sing what is in my heart and on my mind. I've found that the more honest I can be with myself and with the lyrics the more they resonate and the more impact they have. Probably a good life lesson as well. I always loved the old songwriting style of creating a character and building a story around amazing fictional characters. Bob Dylan is a master of that. Our new song "Starting Gun" has a bit of that to it. I love those songs and would love to write more of them but lately, I've been most moved by something that is real and honest and true. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? It was unspoken advice. When I joined the Dirty Dozen Brass Band I was young and had been practicing a lot. I came into the band and played a lot of fast lines and lots of notes. It was probably a symptom of being young and hungry and eager coupled with having some facility at my disposal. One night I took a long firey solo with tons of notes and I felt pretty excited about what I had done. The saxophone player came on next and played a killing solo with just one note. He got the crowd worked up into a frenzy with one note. I quickly realized that one note played with feeling and passion always trumps a thousand notes that don't have the soul and feeling to back it up. Years later the bassist for Widespread Panic came up to me and said, "Man, you've gotten some soul in your playing." I guess it rubbed off a bit.  Courtesy: Conqueroo Selective Memories: An Anthology offers 41 reasons Luther Russell is so highly regarded by his peers and so treasured by fans who have fallen in love with his personal songs, which careen among power pop, rootsy Americana, folk-rock, punk, funk and country. This 2-CD compilation, due February 23, also provides newcomers a wonderful introduction to an artist whose work critics have compared to Wilco, the Replacements, Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith, and Big Star.
This retrospective, spanning 30 years of music-making, heavily favors previously unreleased material with 25 of the 41 tracks being issued for the first time. There are two early demos (“Got Me on My Knees” and “Interstate 68 Blues”) by the Bootheels, Russell’s teenage band with Jakob Dylan, and one recording (“Smoke Signals”) from Federale, his short-lived group with ex-Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford. Additionally, the collection holds songs — both released and unreleased — from Russell’s time fronting the 1990s band the Freewheelers and from his solo outings. Here, in advance of the anthology's anticipated release, Russell kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8+ and touch on subjects ranging from songwriting and success to touring (just "roll with it"), and more. Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? Probably my dad. He fed me all the original Beatles’ Capitol LP’s when I wasn’t old enough yet to even form full sentences, much to my mother’s exasperation, since they were her vinyls! He would always play interesting records from his collection, like Dylan, Miles and Coltrane, but never really push them on me. I could discover it all for myself. The only album I remember him sitting me down for was “Big Pink”. I was around 13 and he explained why they were so special. I was mesmerized. With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? On the Anthology there’s a song called “Black Leather Coat”. I was living in a strange house in Atwater Village soon after the crumbling of my first marriage and I was a little lost. But I was also starting a new relationship which was confusing the hell out of me. A lot of feelings came out, angry feelings, in the song. But lyrically I just had that sense of having hit it good. There’s a line “You’ve got your loser to hang ‘round your neck / But he’s just a user, drawn like a scavenger to a train-wreck / and you can do better than that”. I really felt it was a good payoff. What’s the story behind your album’s title? It’s really just a play on “Selected Memories”. I thought “Selective” might be a more funny and accurate title, since we’re all trying to “curate” and “tailor” our past, especially with social media. I’m certainly not proud of many things, so it’s pretty cherry-picked...haha.  Credit: Brendan Bullock
On February 9th, Caroline Cotter will release her new full-length Home On The River. Co-produced by Cotter and Jeff Oehler of Beehive Productions, Home on the River emphasizes both the freedom of wanderlust and a sense of place on it's nine originals as well as Cotter's lovely acapella version of Woody Guthrie's "My Peace". In advance of the album's release, Cotter kindly took the time to answer her Essential 8 and talk about her album's title, road life, and much more!
What’s the story behind your album’s title? I’ve been working on finding my “home within” since I left my childhood home in 2002. It’s been 15 years of searching, exploring, adventuring, digging, journeying. My home is this journey, especially as a touring musician always on the move, and I’m finally feeling comfortable here. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? The songs on this album are all reflections of my own experiences, as are most of the songs I’ve written. What do you love most about being on the road? I love being somewhere new every day, seeing new things and meeting new people. I have a vague idea of what to expect on a daily basis but this is an adventure full of surprises and unknowns, and I love that.  Courtesy: Autonomic Media Celebrated singer-songwriter (and longtime guitarist for Mary Gauthier) David Robert King shares his tales of Mountain West heartache, loss, and redemption with his latest release, IDAHO. Due February 16th, Gauthier has said Idaho "is a stunning soundscape of whispered confessions and poignant observations. A beautiful collection of haunting songs, it deserves a good listen.” In advance of the project's release, King kindly answered his Essential 8 and talked songwriting, his biggest success, and much more!
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? It’s a bit of a combination, but it all boils down to personal experience. I strive for truth: sometimes that includes the facts, sometimes not. The resonance of truth is the supreme goal. There’s a moment when a writer or artist stumbles upon the truth, for me its always on accident, but it is unmistakable. What’s the story behind your album’s title? The title “Idaho” seemed the only appropriate one. My blood and bones are Idaho, even though I haven't lived there in many years. It’s the world that formed me. Idaho represents, not only a place, but the girl, the loss of loved ones, the face of the people I have wronged- combined with the beauty and harshness of the Teton Mountains, the Snake River, the moisture-less dirt of the high desert… This record sounds like Idaho to me. Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to? I’ve been privy to Mary Gauthier’s forthcoming record Rifles and Rosary Beads and to me, that’s a game changer. There are no records out there like that. It’s incredibly poignant and powerful. It will be out in later this month. I’ve also been hearing some early demos from Sarah Potenza’s next project, and they sound unbelievable. She is simply one of the great voices in music today.  Courtesy: Conqueroo
Jim White’s sixth solo studio album, the intriguingly titled Waffles, Triangles & Jesus, is a joy ride of sonic influences featuring a bevy of Athens, Ga. roots musicians, as well as West Coast darlings Dead Rock West and rock ’n’ roll maverick Holly Golightly. Due on February 9th, the unpredictable and engaging album opens with the moody strains of opener “Drift Away” and includes a nod to the golden age of American theater (“Long Long Day"), an ’80s indie pop inspired break-up song (“Silver Threads”), and the jazz-tinged “Prisoner’s Dilemma.” In advance of the album's release, White took the time to thoughtfully answer his Essential 8 and talk about songwriting, relay an impactful story of gratitude, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? Back in my late teens when I was first learning guitar there was this flat picker ace in town who I revered. He was the exemplification of creativity, being a crack musician and world class visual artist to boot. He taught me how to play half of Stairway to Heaven and half of Fire & Rain before I got frustrated and gave up, deciding it would be easier just to write my own damn songs—I never was any good at following instructions. Over the years I would bring him songs I’d written to critique and he was always kind and encouraging. His name’s Jem Sullivan and if that names sounds familiar you’ve probably seen it on a greeting card. These days he’s the top illustrator at Hallmark Cards and regularly wins big awards for the cards he draws, which are every bit a skewed as my story songs—who knows, maybe some of our mutual weirdness rubbed off on each other. He still plays guitar, and better than most I might add. Here’s a link to his flat picking cover of a Beatles tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DbD-Lxz1hE With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? My general practice when I’m at an impasse with a lyric is to work on it until the very thought of it generates a pretty good charge of existential nausea, then put it down and do some physical work; chop firewood, build a shed, clean out the attic or the rain gutters. While engaged in noncreative tasks usually some remote hidden gears deep in the core of my brain kick in and suddenly the solution to the impasse will present itself. As for aha moments that made a song on this record perfect, there ain’t none. I wish I could write a perfect song, but being a polisher type I’m forever dissatisfied with my output. What’s the story behind your album’s title? Legendary film director Mike Nichols once said of film making that at a certain point the film becomes an animate entity and starts to make demands of you, rather than vice versa and as such the outcome of the creative process is no longer simply a function of your own will. You have to compromise and listen to your creation, then give it what it needs to survive. That happens to me with records. When this one was about halfway though it spoke to me in a clear audible voice saying, “I want to be called Waffles Triangles & Jesus”. When I asked why, I got no response. So it goes. I figure one day the answer will surface, but at present it’s a mystery. Such is the life of navigating by intuitive stars. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? I listen to real people having real conversations. So when the lady at the flea market says, “We would’ve been hereabouts earlier, but we got lost as billy goats.” I write that down in my journal. I have piles of journals with such comments in them, and when I’m writing a song, I come up with a chord progression I like then go flipping through those books until I find words that hum with a similar intensity. I’ll do that until I have several pages full of disparate comments and observations then I’ll start cobbling together the song from said fragments. It’s very labor intensive. I admire those folks who can have an idea, then simply illustrate that idea with words. Sam Baker comes to mind as being an exemplar in that context. Johnny Dowd too.  Courtesy: MTS Management Group Hailing from Pittsburgh, Matt Westin pursued various passions, including academics, sports, and acting, until, after years of searching, he walked away from a promising engineering career when he found true fulfillment in the creative outlet of singing. With the influence of many legendary artists, ranging from Johnny Cash to Garth Brooks to Frank Sinatra, Matt found his voice.
Recorded with Bryan Cole, Westin's new album, 'Legacy,' is due January 29th and here, he answers his Essential 8 and talks about songwriting, the story behind his album's title, and much more! Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? Seeing as this is my debut album, my producer Bryan Cole has been my mentor from day one of the project. He’s got a lot of experience in the industry as a musician and producer in a couple different genres of music, and his insight and guidance have been invaluable. He took my vision and helped bring it to life, making sure I made the right moves and pushing me to be better than I ever was. What’s the story behind your album’s title? My album’s title is really reflective of how and why the album came to be. After my father passed away, I was lost and utterly broken. Somehow, deep inside, I knew in my heart that I finally needed to pursue music as my father had encouraged when he was here. I needed something positive to focus on. I needed something to help me rebuild myself. The decision was almost spiritual, because I didn’t think about it at all. I just felt it in my soul and knew what I had to do. So, I named my album “Legacy”. It just clicked. It made sense to me. I am part of my father’s legacy, and he would be so proud to see me accomplishing my dreams and leaving my own legacy behind that will last forever. Legacy is the lifeblood of this album and what drives me to keep working hard. When/where do you do your best writing? I’ve never been able to pin down a place where I just write. Inspiration comes to me randomly sometimes, and I could be in the car, at work, in bed, or at the gym. It’s always been that way for me. So I’ve written everywhere from a hotel room, to recording on my phone when I’m driving, to sitting at a desk the old fashioned way. My best writing is just whenever I’m in the moment, the emotions are welling up inside of me, and it just flows.  Courtesy: MTS TJ Leonard got his first guitar from his grandfather when he was eight and learned to play Swedish folk music and evergreens. Soon TJ was introduced to pop and blues through his cousin, and at eighteen became the lead singer and guitar player in a dance band. A lot of genres passed through TJ's life including Jazz, hard rock, gospel, soul/r&b, but it was not until country came along that he felt at home. Together with Tex Taylor he started the band CHESTNUT and was nominated in the Swedish Country Music Championships. Now, Leonard is forging his solo career and took the time to answer his Essential 8 where he talked songwriting, what he does on his days off, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? One could say that my grandpa was my musical mentor, at least in the early years. He taught me how to play the guitar and how to play all those old songs he used to play in his time as a musician What’s the story behind your album’s title? "High on Livin’" is the title of one of the songs on the album. The song is about my life and what I like to do in life. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? I meet a lot of people in my work and I get to hear a lot of stories so I get inspired from those sometimes but most of the time I write about things in my life or those close to me. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? To get a really good promoter! And I got one! What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? To get a good promoter LOL!  Courtesy: Conqueroo On March 2nd, singer-songwriter Chris Smither will release his 18th album, Call Me Lucky. Recorded at Blue Rock Studio in Texas' hill country, the release is his first studio recording of new songs in six years. Working with longtime producer David Goodrich, the album also features Billy Conway (drums and percussion), Keith Gary (keyboards), Matt Lorenz (violin and vocals) and Mike Meadows (drums). In advance of the album's release, Smither answered his Essential 8 and talked the album's title, songwriting, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? Several...for Guitar, Lightnin' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt, as lyricists, Randy Newman and Paul Simon. Basically, they just showed me what could be done, how to paint a picture. With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? First of all, no song is ever perfect, but the song "By The Numbers" was the easiest song to write because it was the last one...by the time you get the the end of a batch of songs you've finally got the rhythm down, and it goes smoothly. The "aha" moment was the minute I wrote the last line, on my way out the hotel door to go to the studio. What’s the story behind your album’s title? The first line of the "The Blame's On Me". I've felt lucky my whole adult life, lucky just to have made it this far. |