Born in London and raised in Brooklyn, Ben de la Cour was playing New York City dive bars with his brother a full decade before he could legally drink. A high-school dropout and former amateur boxer, he received his education by listening to his parent’s record collection – full of everything from Bob Dylan and The Everly Brothers to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

At the age of nineteen he spent a year in Havana training with members of the Cuban national boxing team before moving to London with his brother to revive their doom metal band, Dead Man’s Root. They lived in a van and toured around Europe for several years until the band fell apart under the two-fisted attack of burnout and drunken brawls. In 2008 de la Cour returned to the states with a head full of softer, bruised, but no less intense acoustic songs. Following a short stint in Los Angeles, Ben passed through New Orleans and ended up in Nashville. In April of 2018 Ben de la Cour released The High Cost of Living Strange, eight tracks of his self-proclaimed “Americanoir” style - weaving complex, mysterious and sometimes shocking storylines with a unique blend of instrumental backing and the occasional glimpse of gallows humor. Here, Ben answers his Essential 8 and talks briefly about the album, Taco Cabana, and more.

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
I don’t think there’s ever a point when a song is truly finished. You just kind of get to a point where you feel comfortable enough to abandon them. Like a child.

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
Not so much. It just kind of flopped into my brain pan one day and it stuck. I thought it sounded cool and mysterious.

Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
You know how Dylan said “write ten songs a day and throw nine away”? Well, my personal take on that is “write ten songs a day and then release them all minus two on a substandard album on an obscure Nashville label”.

When/where do you do your best writing?
In the morning. When the cloud of existential dread is still only on the horizon.

Today, Lauren Davidson released her new single, “Pouring Rain.” Co-produced by Grammy Award winner Bart Migal (Bjork) and Cristian Camilo Castro (Musical Director, Guitarist, and cowriter with Davidson),
the single was written as a collaboration with Lauren's father Danny Davidson and pulls from the pop singer-songwriter genre, while incorporating elements of contemporary country, a la Maren Morris.  

Davidson notes, “ I had been spending a lot of time between shows writing but was waiting for a release until something felt right.  My fans have really responded to this song each time I played it live at a show.  Sometimes I’m hesitant to play a ballad but some of my favorite songs are ballads- they’re timeless.  Like Elton John said it’s easy to write a sad song, this song just sort of poured out - no pun intended... well pun intended.” Here, Davidson answers her Essential 8 and talks songwriting, her dream venues, Starbucks, and more!

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? 
I draw inspiration from a lot of things. From my personal experiences for sure and from the people around me. As I write with different co-writers every time is different but sometimes someone just has a cool idea or word or phrase that ends up being a song. I still always try to put a piece of myself in every song.  I want to sing songs I relate to but I also just love telling stories through song. ​

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
Be patient, be authentic and keep doing what you’re doing.  It’s so hard to get caught up in the little things so I think that was very important.  

What’s your favorite/”go-to” food on the road?
I’m obsessed with Starbucks egg white bites and allll the coffee. ️

What’s your favorite venue and why?
I love iPlay America in Freehold NJ.  There is always an amazing crowd there and it’s in my hometown so my first show there was so special!  I’m looking forward to opening for Maddie and Tae there on July 28th! 

In early 2017, Rob Morrow, known for his work on Northern Exposure, Billions, Quiz Show and more, formed a band with guitarist Carlos Calvo, a Hollywood Film & TV Coach who's taught Adam Levine, David Duchovny, David Oyelowo, and many others, to play guitar.  In Calvo, Rob found a simpatico collaborator with many gifts. The two work seamlessly together creating the band’s original songs which will appear on their debut album, set for release by the end of the year. On June 15th, the Rob Morrow Band released “The New, New Face," the debut single from their upcoming album and here Morrow answers his Essential 8+ and talks about friend and mentor Calvo, songwriting, and more.

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
RM: Carlos Calvo, who is also my writing partner and guitar teacher. He allows me to find my version of music. His approach is to draw out. The best way to inspir

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
RM: I usually have to live w/ a song, get it in my body, before I really know the potential. That said, when we hit on a cool groove or hook, it’s pretty obvious.

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
RM: We are just putting out the single “The New, New Face.” Album forthcoming. “New, New Face” came from an article my wife was reading in NY Magazine. It was comparing types of face lifts. The old “New Face” is the classic pulled back and taught look. The “New, New Face” is the apple shape, puffy lips, Botox thing. The phrase jumped out at me as a zeitgeist thing.

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
RM: Anywhere and everywhere…I don’t judge. I write down every thought and end up throwing away most. I keep a song notebook w/ random ideas.

When/where do you do your best writing?
RM: In my living room when no one is home.

Longtime favorite here at TDC, Denton, Texas singer-songwriter Melissa Ratley recently released her new EP, These Moments. The five song project captures moments experienced by Ratley over the past few years that listeners will find truly relatable. Here, she answers her Essential 8 and talks about the project, the road, her mentor J.R. Byrd, and more.

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
‘These Moments’ simply refers to moments I’ve either experienced or witnessed in the last few years since my debut album came out in 2015. All of them are very personal to me, and hopefully people will find some moments to connect themselves to the songs as well. 

Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
The five songs I picked are ones we’ve been playing on the road for a few years, and I really wanted to get them recorded with the guys I’ve got in my band now (Nik Woods on Guitar, Jake McCandless on Bass/Organ, and Matt Van Hiel on Drums) because they play the hell out of them every single time. ‘Fast and Free’ is a song I co-wrote with my best friend and writing partner Caroline Schmitz. It’s a personal song to both of us in so many ways. ‘I Fall’ is a song I wrote to make fun of my perpetual single status, and is so much fun to play as well. ‘Hard Livin’ is my attempt at more poignant songwriting; I was 50/50 about putting it on the album, but I’m so glad I did. 

Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
When I was six years old, I only wanted two things in the world: play the Grand Ole Opry, and win a CMA award. Obviously my priorities are a little different now (lol) but doing those two things would be cool. I’d love to play certain venues, like Billy Bobs, Eddie’s Attic, Red Rocks, etc., but getting my band to the next level is probably my biggest ‘bucket list’ item at this moment. 

Jeff Clayborn subscribes to a brand of organic country that can’t be replaced or altered.  A Texas tumbleweed with down-home roots, Clayborn sports southern swagger from his signature low-brimmed cap to his cowboy boots.  Brewed in a story and distilled in mystique, Jeff Clayborn’s “Good Bar Attender” is 100-proof country. The boot-stomping anthem is currently climbing the Texas country radio charts and here Clayborn answers his Essential 8 and talks songwriting, dream collaborators, and more!

Q: With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
A: When we finished "Acres of Sunshine," we knew we had a song that was original and communicated on many different levels.  I always wanted to write it for my Paw Paw and Ma Maw. Acres says exactly how I feel about coming home and remembering to honor family values.

Q: Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
A: I am inspired by basic values; like family, nature, friendship and truth. I want to know what people care most about and how they wish they could express their feelings, and then somehow put it in to a lyric that is simple and also still open to interpretation.
​
Q: When/where do you do your best writing?
A: My ideas come mostly in the morning….if I am solo writing, I want to be with Mother Nature.  If I am co-writing, I like to be where the other writer(s) is most comfortable….the “word smithing” come to me in spurts throughout the day.  I am a night owl.

Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Larry Peninsula recently released his debut album, Country Music Only, whose title track was #1 on Country Music Life's chart for 9 weeks in a row. Here, Peninsula answers his Essential 8 and talks about movies as inspiration, Nashville's honky-tonks, what he's listening to, and more.

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? 
It varies a lot actually. Anything can inspire me, it’s sometimes a movie that I’ve seen or something I hear someone say. My song “I Rather Die With My Boots On” is based on a movie Dallas Buyers Club. Movies are usually a great source of inspiration. I’m always looking for song titles. If I find a great song title, it feels like the song writes itself. 


When/where do you do your best writing?
At evenings or night-time and usually at home. I write with my acoustic guitar and the best ideas come when I concentrate on something else other than the songwriting itself. The melodies are hovering in the air and somedays it’s easier to catch them. I always tend to record the ideas on my phone or make a quick demo at my home studio.

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Listen to all kinds of music with an open mind. Try to find friends who you can play with and later on form a band. Just explore the world of music and you’ll find eventually what’s your style and what is the kind of music you want to make. There’s not just one way in becoming a musician or an artist. I see myself as an old school guy who likes to learn music by ear and do everything by myself. 

What’s your dream venue and why?
Honestly, that would be any honky-tonk bar in Nashville. Tootsie’s or Robert’s Western World would be a dream come true. I’ve visited both of them and there’s really a unique atmosphere at Lower Broadway. Young Willie Nelson used to play at Tootsie’s too. Broken Spoke in Austin is definitely on the bucket list too.

Americana-Folk duo Mia and Jonah are prepping the release of their new album, Spin as One, a collection of intimate stories, lush harmonies, and minimalist instrumentation that is due July 1st. Ahead of the release, the duo answer their Essential 8+ and talk about everything from the album to musical mentors, road life, and more. ​

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
Mia: A big musical mentor of mine is Emmylou Harris. Her voice varies in so many incredible ways. It wavers and whispers all with so much strength and self assurance. I first fell in love with her on “Wrecking Ball” which was produced by Daniel Lanois(another hero of mine).
Jonah: When I was in high school, a friend of mine got me into Neil Young.  There was something about his voice and the soulful imperfection that was totally inspiring to me.  Neil showed me that you could make magic out of simple elements with the power of the pen and the soul.   I remember hearing “After the Goldrush” one night, and felt like it was written for me. It was like a siren’s call for to explore the world of songwriting.  It was then I got myself a guitar and started learning chords.

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
Mia: Jonah wrote all the songs on “Spin as One” excepting for two which he co-wrote with Scotty Passaglia. In the past when I wrote I suppose I just felt it when a song was complete. Some songs are still out there half done.. waiting till the other layers expose themselves. It’s not something I would force. It’s just like a flower, it grows in its own time, and when it blossoms, you know.
Jonah: I don’t always know that a song is working until I play it for someone else.  For the most part, that person is Mia, or has been for the past 15 years. If I play a new song for her, and it’s not really a big deal, then that song probably won’t be a keeper.  It really has to make an emotional impact for us to consider it as a Mia and Jonah song. On this album, I remember playing Season of Opening for her, and afterwards she had tears in her eyes.  So, I knew it was doing the right thing and had achieved a sense of clarity within our story. As far as the writing process, I feel like with any song, there is moment when you crystallize the truth of that particular song, and then you just need to keep the channel open to let the words make themselves known.

A Grammy Award and VMA-winning musician, recording artist, producer, and songwriter who has worked with the Black Eyed Peas, Mark Ronson, Fergie, John Legend, and many more, Printz Board (nee Priese Prince Lamont Board) begins a new musical chapter with his latest project, Parker Lane. A musical family with Printz and Nova Renay at the core, Parker Lane emerged with their current EP, Replay, putting forth a sensitive and accessible folk-pop sound that is sonically different from Printz’s precious body of solo work. Printz explains Parker Lane’s origins,
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“I was doing my first album, Pre-Games, and a lot of people told me how it sounded like the Black Eyed Peas and how amazing it was, but I realized that I didn’t own my sound anymore, which was not a good thing. I knew I needed to search for something else, so I did a second album where I used percussion and acoustic guitar trying to find myself in this alternative world and people loved it, but the conversation stopped there. I realized something was missing, so we decided to do some covers one of which was Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait.” We got an incredible response, so the female singing at the time, Lucy Graves, said that we should do some originals in a similar vein and two weeks later, we had ten songs that just poured out and Parker Lane was born. The heavens opened and it all just clicked. It was like it was what we were supposed to be doing.”