Rodney Crowell, country music's prolific singer-songwriter, talks about songwriting, collaborations, and his latest album. John Doe from the band X discusses his lead role in the new film D.O.A.
Authenticity and storytelling are crucial in songwriting.
Constantly working on the craft leads to depth and honesty in songs.
Embracing one's own sound and joy of creating music are essential in the journey of a songwriter.
Deep dives
The Influence of Hank Williams and the Songwriting Salon
Rodney Crowell grew up in a musical household where his father played in local bands and had a vast knowledge of country songs. When Rodney moved to Nashville, he encountered a songwriting salon with influential artists like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. This was a transformative experience for Rodney as he learned the importance of authenticity and the power of storytelling in songwriting.
Evolving as a Songwriter
Rodney Crowell initially wrote songs that he considers to be mediocre, but he was able to draw on the rich musical traditions and the support of other songwriters in Nashville to refine his craft. Over time, Rodney realized the importance of letting the song dictate its own path and earning inspiration through hard work. He also acknowledged that early success doesn't guarantee continuous brilliance, but staying committed to the craft and constantly working on his songwriting helped him produce songs with depth and honesty.
Navigating the Music Industry and Personal Growth
Rodney Crowell reflects on his journey as a songwriter and performer, acknowledging moments when he may not have always been easy to work with or embraced commercial success. He discusses the influence of artists like Bob Dylan and the challenges of being a songwriter in the music industry. Rodney shares the importance of finding his own sound and embracing the joy of creating music.
The Evolution of Country Music and Challenges Along the Way
Rodney Crowell dives into the evolution of country music and the challenges he faced as a songwriter and performer. He shares his experiences of listening to and learning from legendary artists like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. Rodney also reflects on his personal growth as a songwriter and his desire to constantly refine his craft. He discusses the prevalence of pretension in the music industry and his own journey to find authenticity in his music.
Memorable Moments from the Podcast
During this podcast episode, the host reflects on some memorable moments from past interviews. One standout conversation discussed is with Kat Williams, a comedian known for his unique storytelling style. While the host acknowledges that some portions of Williams' stories may be embellished or not entirely accurate, they still found the conversation entertaining and enjoyed witnessing Williams' charismatic and larger-than-life persona. The host and Williams delved into discussions about Williams' experiences as a pimp, claiming to have read thousands of autobiographies, and his admiration for figures like Winston Churchill. Overall, despite the potential embellishments, the host recognizes that there is a kernel of truth to Williams' stories and appreciates the entertaining nature of the conversation.
Recording Chicago Session with Jeff Tweedy
In this podcast episode, the host shares their experience of recording in Chicago with Jeff Tweedy, the frontman of Wilco. The host explains that the opportunity to work with Tweedy came about after discovering his album and admiring his musical abilities. The recording process took place in Tweedy's studio, and the host describes how Tweedy's expertise as a producer was essential in creating a successful album. The recording was done live, with minimal overdubs, to capture the immediate and authentic performances. The host expresses pride in the resulting record, emphasizing that it represents a pivotal moment in their career where they fully embraced their own voice and sound.
As one of country music’s most prolific singer-songwriters, Rodney Crowell talks with Marc about the art of songwriting, his evolution as a performer, and his collaborations with everyone from Emmylou Harris to Waylon Jennings to Rosanne Cash to Jeff Tweedy, who just produced Rodney’s latest album, The Chicago Sessions. Also, John Doe from the band X returns to the show to talk about his lead role in the new film D.O.A.
