 Photo Credit: Taylor Barnes
Fueled by whiskey, vinyl, and heartache, the Stubborn Lovers rumble like a vintage pony car across the landscape of American roots music. Though based in the indie-rock mecca of Portland, Oregon, the quintet’s country pedigree is genuine: singer/guitarist Mandy Allan hails from Hendersonville, Tennessee, where her grandfather delivered mail to the home of Johnny and June Carter Cash; lead six-stringer Todd Melton honed his licks in the hills of Kentucky, just a stone’s throw from where Sturgill Simpson did the same.
Bassist Jenny Taylor grew up along the storied highways of New Jersey, and wears a love for anthemic blue-collar rock on her sleeve. Drummer Michael “Pearl” Nelson and pedal steel guitarist Jeff Porter are both veterans of a diverse array of Northwest bands, with the chops to prove it. The Stubborn Lovers will release their first full-length album, Mother Road, a ten-song set that explores themes of family and the road, on August 17th and here they answer their Essential 8 where they speak about the album, as well as share their touring tips, first concerts, and much more. Is there a story behind your album’s title? Jenny: Mother Road is named for one of the songs on the album, which borrows the phrase from John Steinbeck. For anyone unfamiliar, it’s what he calls Route 66 in The Grapes of Wrath. We use it in reference to both 66 specifically and “the road” in general. “Mother Road” is also a play on “Thunder Road”, the Bruce Springsteen song to which our song serves as a sort of sequel. We chose it for the title because it encapsulates the album’s major themes: family bonds, especially those between mothers and daughters, and the journeys we take along the road that leads both away from and back towards home. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? Jeff: Don’t step on the vocal. That’s the most important part of the song and you need to work around it. Jenny: Loop your instrument cable through your strap so that when (not if) you step on it, you don’t yank the cable out in the middle of a song. (Given to me at a show after I stepped on my cable and yanked it out in the middle of a song.) Mandy: Take two Gas-X before you go on. ;) Todd: Look people in the eye when you play to them.
What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Jeff: It’s OK to not play. You don’t have to fill up every space with something. A lot of times it’s the space that makes the song work. Try playing less and see how it works. Jenny: Always put the music first. It’s not about what makes you personally sound good or look cool. It’s about doing your part to make the music the best it can be. Mandy: Don’t be afraid to screw up, because it will happen, a lot. It’s how you handle it that makes a difference. And remember that out of every single person in the venue, you are the one on stage right then…that’s your domain, not theirs. OWN IT! Pearl: Do it because you love it. Make EPIC mistakes. Todd: Take lessons, even when you think you’re as good as you can get. You can always get better. Do you have any touring tips? Jeff: Be in tune and on time. And change your damn strings. You’re a pro and you’re getting paid to play. Breaking a string in the middle of a set is not cool. Pearl: Take breaks. Spend an extra day where you can and explore. Sleep on as many floors as you can—you’ll get to know cities from a local’s perspective. Todd: Bring earbuds and baby wipes. How do you kill the long hours in the van? Jeff: I like to hide Todd’s baby wipes and watch him freak out. Pearl: Books ‘n’ buds. Driving. Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended? Jenny: Like any good Jersey girl, I’ve seen Bruce Springsteen a whole bunch of times, but one show stands out: in July of 2003, he and the E Street Band did a ten-night run at Giants Stadium, and I went one night with my mom and my sister. It was the only time all three of us saw Bruce together. Midway through the show a huge rainstorm rolled in, and a lot of people ran for cover. We seized the opportunity and moved down to the front row. At one point Bruce came out on the catwalk and was just a few feet away—it felt like he was singing just to us. We stood there arm in arm, soaked to the skin, singing along at the top of our lungs. It was amazing. Pearl: First? Pink Floyd, 1974 in DC. I was 4 and my oldest sister took me. Neither of us were likely supposed to be there. Favorite? Dang… Impossible to answer. Todd: Alabama, in concert at Morehead State University. I was 4, so I don't remember much except the drummer taking his shirt off and throwing it into the crowd right in front of me (sitting on my dad's shoulders). I didn't think much of it, being only 4 years old. What proceeded is what I could only describe as an epic brawl between two older blonde ladies, ripping his tank top in two. They were serious. Favorite thing to do on a day off? Pearl: Record and music store cruising. Figuring out the local cuisine. Todd: Thrift store/record shopping. I think it’s a great way to get to know the city you’re in. Have you met any of your heroes? If so, how did it go? Jenny: My first band was a punk/reggae outfit heavily influenced by the Clash (still one of my all-time favorite bands). One night I was hanging out with some friends in Manhattan, and I went into a deli to grab a drink. As I was walking to the counter someone brushed past me and cut me off, which I thought was kind of rude. Before I could say anything, he turned around and I realized it was Joe Strummer. And he was lit. I stood there staring up at him while he stared glassy-eyed over my head. And then he drooled a little bit, and the drool rolled down his chin and plopped onto the sleeve of my leather motorcycle jacket. He got his smokes and bolted, and I never said a word. But I proudly showed off that drool stain for years to come. Pearl: I met Mike Watt after years of idolizing him and his bands. It was the early days of fIREHOSE, and I got to play with them in Boise. In the years that followed, we got to know each other to the degree that he and his bandmates would stay at my place while in town. I think my band(s) played with him four times, although I never shared a stage or jammed with him. He was an intense guy, full of lectures and advice. But I mean, what do you expect from a guy who speaks in third person? Website I Facebook I Twitter I Soundcloud I Spotify I Bandcamp
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