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Photo by Eric Ryan Anderson
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Photo by Eric Ryan Anderson
Two days after Medicine dropped, singer-songwriter Drew Holcomb kicked off an international tour to support it; he's also booked a pair of additional 2015 tours and signed several high-profile acts for his second annual Moon River Festival in August. But nothing will top February 28, when Holcomb makes his debut on the Ryman stage. We caught up with the man himself to hear more about the new record and his musical bucket list.
Any secrets about that your upcoming Ryman show you'd be willing to share?
We will have a guest or two. We will play our songs. We will keep it simple. We got to the Ryman by doing it our way, and the show will follow that philosophy. We are honored to play our songs on a stage where so many of our heroes have played. I have seen over 35 shows in that room, and it is really humbling to add my own name to the list.
Your latest release 'Medicine,” is based on the idea that music is medicine in your opinion, which track is the heaviest dose?
"Shine Like Lightning." It's a big anthemic song about getting back up on your feet no matter what the critics and cynics throw at you.
The album was recorded in only 8 days, what are the pro's and con's of knocking it out so quickly?
Looking back I don't see a lot of cons. We worked on one song at a time until it was finished, so there was a consistent thought towards that song the whole time, instead of compartmentalizing the recording by instrument. Having such a talented band who can all play multiple instruments kept the creativity flowing. It was the most fun we have ever had recording.
Your songs/lyrics paint you as an old soul. Has this always been true of you?
Ever since I was a little kid, people have called me an "old soul." I was always interested in books and history, and gravitated towards the oldest person in the room. The stories were richer and the confidence was obvious. I am a bit of a stoic personality, and according to my mom, that started at birth. Life has always had a healthy dose of grief for me, which I think it what drives my songwriting. It's a way to deal with cocktail of grief and joy at the center of most people's lives.
You've had your music used on TV shows, played with a stellar list of musicians and sold out shows time after time what's left on your professional bucket list?
Headlining the Ryman is certainly number one! Playing Letterman or Fallon would be really great. I'd love to sing or collaborate with a few my heroes, folks like Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Springsteen, Tom Petty etc. But honestly most of my dreams have already come true. I thought music would be a 4-5 diversion from a more settled life, and I have been thrilled that we have fans all over the world and we get to take our music to them.
We recently saw "American Beauty" on a Dick's Sporting Goods commercial! Can you describe how this kind of opportunity happens.
We have had lots of success getting our songs on TV and Film. I never write for that. I write alone. I write for full records. But somehow my songs have resonated in that world. The quick answer is that because of our history, the music supervisors for the shows know our music and we have a partnership with a company in L.A. who builds those relationships and continually pitches our music to those supervisors.
What encouragement/exhortation would you give to artists who, like you, want to make music their own way, on their own terms but are just getting started?
Patience. Patience. Work hard. Keep Writing. Patience. Tour, Write, Record. Then remember to have some more patience.
