Ep 498: Hunting, Singing, and Going Dry with the Turnpike Troubadours
Nov 27, 2023
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Steven Rinella talks with musician Evan Felker and others about topics such as vault toilet rescues, hunting-themed lyrics, EKG in fishmongers, hunting in Oklahoma, discovering unwanted subscriptions, the power of narrative songs, songwriting and evolution, alcohol reflections, outdoor activities and keeping commitments, and live music.
Evan Felker draws inspiration from Johnny Horton and Jimmy Driftwood for his narrative songwriting style.
Evan Felker incorporates dialogue and quotes within his songs to enhance storytelling.
Evan Felker balances ranching and music career by focusing on each during dedicated times.
Evan Felker finds inspiration for his songwriting from pre-cell phone era and meaningful human interactions.
Deep dives
Influences from the past: Johnny Horton, Jimmy Driftwood
Evan Felker mentions the influence of Johnny Horton and Jimmy Driftwood on his songwriting, particularly their storytelling style and narrative songs.
Writing Style: Dialogue in Songs
Evan Felker discusses his use of dialogue in his songwriting, explaining how he incorporates conversations and quotes within his songs to enhance the storytelling aspect.
Music and Life Balance
Evan Felker talks about balancing his time between his ranching responsibilities and music career, discussing how when he is home, he focuses on ranching and family, and when he is on the road, he sets aside time for writing songs.
Songwriting Inspiration: Pre Cell Phone Era
Evan Felker mentions that he draws inspiration for his songwriting from the time before cell phones, when people were more present and connected with others. He finds those experiences and interactions to be a rich source of material for his songs.
The Journey to Sobriety and Parenthood
The podcast episode explores the journey of the speaker towards sobriety and the impact of becoming a parent on their decision. The speaker shares personal experiences of being annoyed with their children in the morning and realizing the importance of setting a positive example. They discuss the role of hangovers in their decision to quit drinking and how having young kids influenced their perspective. The speaker also briefly mentions a technique they use to feel more social in alcohol-related settings without actually drinking.
Rediscovering the Craft of Songwriting
After taking a hiatus from music, the speaker discusses their process of getting back into songwriting. They mention setting deadlines and engaging in writing exercises and prompts with fellow musicians to reignite their creativity. The speaker touches on the challenges and rewards of returning to the craft and the emotional growth they experienced during their time away from music.
Balancing Music, Family, and Touring
The speaker talks about their current touring schedule and the importance of being home regularly for their young children. They mention their preference for performing in smaller venues and the intimate connection they feel with the audience during concerts. The speaker also briefly touches on the inclusion of hunting and outdoor references in their songwriting, explaining that they use hunting as a backdrop to add depth and interest to their storytelling. They share their upcoming show in Oklahoma and their plans for future studio albums.
Topics discussed: Knowing how to conduct a vault toilet rescue from having listened to The MeatEater Podcast, Ep. 377: The Great Outhouse Rescue; Phil kissing; the dead-alive fish dish; ménage-à-frog; pig leases in timber country; First Lite’s new Stormy Kromer cap; how Evan’s dad is a fanatical hunter; cowboy-ing; Johnny Horton playing Jimmy Driftwood; how Cal thinks that “The Bird Hunters” song is the best hunting song ever written; an anapodoton; bean sayings from our audience; quitting drinking; NA beer; going to rehab and rewiring your entire being; trustworthiness and how no one would actually show up to ice fish at 7am the next morning; watching the lake give birth; writing prompts; buy Turnpike’s new album, “A Cat in the Rain,” and go see them in concert; a live performance of “The Bird Hunters”; and more.
