I was lucky enough to a short interview with Carolina Story. I posted a
short bio of how this band came to be earlier this month, with this
interview I wanted to find out their influences and writing process. They
are a married couple so I thought their process would be somehow different,
along with their influences. They have quite an affection for old country
music and Hank William. Enjoy.
If any, what artists influence Carolina Story and as individuals?
We both have separate influences but I would say that we both love all of
the artists I’m about to mention & that they all influence the music we
write in some way or another. One of Emily’s biggest influence is Brandi
Carlile. I think she’s seen her live around 6 times. She’s also influenced
by the likes of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn. She’s the one who really turned
me onto old country. She’s also a big Hanson fan. Not even kidding:)
My faves are Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams. My favorite
band of all time would have to be The Band, with Levon Helm being one of my
biggest influences. We both are obsessed with the music/life of Hank
Williams Sr. & as of late our favorite would no doubt have to be a band
called Shovels & Rope.
What is your song writing process? Is it a mutual thing? Or do you each
write your own songs and pick the best?
There isn’t much of a process to our writing at all. It’s almost always
different. Sometimes I write a song. Sometimes Emily does & other times we
collaborate. I would say that we almost never wake up, sit down & say “Hey,
let’s write a song today.” For us it’s a “when the moment hits you” kind of
thing. Inspiration, for us, can come in many different forms & at all sorts
of times. I always say that when it does come, you better capture it before
it off & leaves again. It’s like being in a rain storm with an empty glass.
Try & collect as much water as you can before the clouds clear up.
What artist, living or deceased, would you like to collaborate with?
That’s tough. Living: it’s a 3 way tie between Brandi Carlile, Neil Young
& Jack White. Deceased: There’s no question that Hank Williams Sr. would be
the answer there.
Your daytrotter session was one for the books. What was that experience
like?
It was an incredible experience. We were on our Midwest tour with our
friends, Star & Micey & we all drove through the night from Milwaukee to
Davenport, Iowa where we recorded the session the next morning. We recorded
it all to tape & live in one take, which is the way we like to do it. We
hope to do it again in the future. We are HUGE fans of what daytrotter does
& actually use that as one of our main sources to hear unique sessions of
bands/artists that we already like as well as discovering new ones we dig.
jorgeb90 