I always love learning about the different stories behind the songs of some of my favorite artists and thought you might enjoy learning a bit more about the different songs on my recent EP.
Track 1 – “The Things I’ve Tried”
This song is sums up the main concept of the whole EP – a tragicomic story of trying to find ways to cope with day to day life struggles but feeling trapped by the resulting disappointment that often comes from temporary solutions such as alcoholism and materialism.
“I tried drinkin’ alcohol to forget the things I saw, but every drink just brought back memories”
Track 2 – “I Spent My Weekend Drowning”
This track took several weeks of mixing because I knew I had to do this one right. I won’t lie. It took a lot of guts to put this song on the album. It’s very personal to me and represents a darker time in my life but I really just felt like the album wouldn’t be complete without it. As I was writing it, I noticed some influence from Morrisey and The Smiths coming out a bit. I wrote this song on a Sunday night when I was reflecting back on my weekend and wishing I had gone out with friends instead of staying inside all weekend as the result of feeling too depressed to go out (that was pretty common for me back then). I think it’s a pretty relate-able song and hope it cheers you up a bit knowing you’re not the only one who has spent a weekend or two indoors because you don’t feel mentally/emotionally up to the task of being around people.
“I wish that I had gone away, smiled, and danced on Saturday, but I spent my weekend drowning”
Track 3 – “Kansas City Train”
We need more songs to celebrate Kansas City and all that it means to the people who live here. This song was inspired by the warm, close-knit community of artists looking for an escape from the anxiety of mega cities like New York and LA. To me, Kansas City is just that – a hidden Midwest paradise where you can go to clear your mind and relax with friends. I just want everyone to get to experience that. New friends feel like old friends when you meet them in KC.
“Just take the Kansas City train all the way down. That little place might be your favorite town.”
Track 4 – “2nd & Main”
One of the goals I have for my music is to bring joy to others by helping people relate to one another. Often times, I think humans grow closer together when they relate to a shared darkness they have experienced in their lives. This song takes the listener to some dark places but at the same time serves as a reminder that the deepest forms of love and joy often come from the darkest places.
“My love is dark, my love is deep, my love’s got layers underneath. And if you let me in, I’ll be here till the very end”
Track 5 – “Dry County Blues”
This is a song I wrote back when I lived in a dry county down in Arkansas. It’s a simple upbeat song about the short weekend trips me and my best friend would take to go buy alcohol and have a few laughs together. In my mind, the song represents my views on drinking too. There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks with a close friend – just make sure you do everything in moderation and have a good time.
“Me and my best friend are goin’ two towns over – gonna buy some Daniels and get a little less sober. Don’t let the preachin’ man find out about me and my love for that honey from Tennessee”