 On September 13th, A Different Thread released their first full length album On A Whim. Recorded with Jeff Crawford at Arbor Ridge Studios, the band's original songs are inspired by the music that has crossed and crisscrossed the Atlantic ocean over the generations. Weaving together elements of folk, country, blues, and a hint of rock and roll, On A Whim showcases their versatility and story telling. Here, the duo answer their Essential 8 where they talk about the album, their dream collaborators, and more. Is there a story behind your album’s title? Robert: on my first trip to the states, I started writing the title track. I didn't have any plans really. No friends there, just a guitar and a box of my old CD's. I finished writing the song when I got back to my hometown, Lichfield. The song is as much about a homecoming as it is about taking the risk to leave again. (This was all before Alicia and I met in Galway.) Alicia: I was also traveling solo before we met, mostly down in Central America and Mexico, but visiting my home town/family when I could, so the song certainly resonates. When I flew to Ireland (where I met a Robert busking in the street) it was definitely on a whim! When/where do you do your best writing? R: the last carriage on a train to a place I've never been before. A: I often wake up with the thread of a song in my mind, I spend the whole day trying to catch it. If I wake up in the middle of the night, they often come out in one whole piece. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? R: Combination of these. A: As long as we can relate to the subject. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
R: "Keep playing your original stuff and try not to get stuck on covering songs. Eventually the right people will hear your material." What’s your favorite/”go-to” food on the road? A: Depends where we are touring! R: Netherlands: Hagelslag, USA: white cheddar popcorn! A: UK: Jaffa cakes, France was all about the cheese, in Guatemala it's the fresh fruit! Do you have any touring tips? R: Find a musician who lives and is gigging around where you want to tour and reach out to them! A: We've gotten some great tips and met some wonderful folks this way! Who would you love to collaborate with? R: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, or if i could Time travel it would be Bert Jansch A: Rhiannon Giddens for sure, and Gillian Welch, but there are so many it's hard to choose! Website/Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Youtube/iTunes
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