Today we have the one and only…”Trickshooter Social Club”…
They’ve just dropped their latest album “Wilderness Radio” just a couple of days ago on the 30th of March…and we got a chance to have a little chat with them, lucky us!
- We know you have eight members in the group right now, how about some introductions so all the people can get to know you more.
Sure!
- Steve Simoncic-Lead Vocals/Guitar
- Larry Liss-Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
- James McNaughton-Bass
- Chris Bartley-Keys
- Jenna Leigh-Lead Vocals
- Beltran Delcampo-Fiddle
- Ruth Margraff-Accordion
- Rob Kristan-Drums
- …and let me add something, each and every one in the group adds so much to your unique sound…which leads me to my next question…how did you find your sound?
Well, it started with Steve and Larry writing a bunch of songs on acoustic. When we went to record them, we started pulling from all our heroes and influences-just pieces we liked. Instruments that weren’t the norm. A lot of trial and error creating the soup that is Trickshooter. And that soup is always changing.
- …Interesting…and speaking of finding your sound…how did you come up with the name “Trickshooter Social Club”?
We knew we wanted something different-not four guys in a room staring at their shoes. We wanted to build a core band that allowed any “trickshooter”, from any genre to come in and do their thing-something that brought something new to a song. They didn’t even have to be musicians. We have spoken word artists, poets, rappers, banjo players, pedal steel-everything’s fair game. So we’re always opening things up and every live show is different.
- So with such a group…how do you jam, create new music and write lyrics? Do you always work together on the music or do you sometimes work remotely and share what you came up with online?
It starts with Steve and Larry writing-either in a room or passing riff files back and forth. Once we have pieces and parts, we bring it to the band and then it becomes what it wants to be.
- Do any of you have a full time job or are you completely dedicated to making awesome music?
Well, we’re 100% dedicated to creating awesome music, every day. But since we have expensive guitar pedal habits, we all still work full time at a variety of jobs.
- Getting back to your latest album, “Wilderness Radio”…how was that journey? How long did you take to create the music and lyrics, and how long did it take you to record it?
We’re lucky in the fact that we’re fairly prolific when it comes to getting basic songs down. Where we spend a lot of time is post-production. Seeing how we can manipulate, twist and turn things inside out to see how we can take the song to a place we didn’t even know it could go. And that was definitely the case with “Wilderness Radio.”
- …anything funny happened during the recording of this album?
Wish we could say we were the type of band that had insane recording/touring stories. But honestly, it’s a group of generous, talented and disparate folks committed to serving the song. Occasionally, we wear fun hats.
- Are you already working on new music or do you prefer to have some time to relax between albums?
We’re actually in the final stages of mixing two new songs that we’re going to release in May to coincide with a UK festival we’re playing called “The Great Escape.” The songs are called “Lie to Me” and “Clarksdale Serenade #2.” After that, we have a lot of riff files to go through.
- Tell us about some of the most notable gigs you played so far….what was the biggest gig you played?
We’ve been lucky. We’ve played at some great venues around the country and met a lot of supremely talented bands. One moment that stands out is opening for Pegi Young (RIP). Not only was she an amazing singer-songwriter, but her backing band was some of the Muscle Shoals Swampers. Some of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. They told us some stories, talked gear-it was unforgettable. Also, very humbling to play in front of those folks.
- Are there any artists that you’d like to share the stage with?
What’s the word count for this interview? Off the top, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Mike Ness, Jack White and of course, the hometown favorite, Wilco.
- For anyone out there who still doesn’t know about “Trickshooter Social Club”. Could you give them a couple of reasons why they should start listening to your music?
It’s everything you’ve never heard before.
- …and for the future…what does it hold for “Trickshooter Social Club”? Do you have any plans and visions for the future of the group?
The goal has always been singular in focus-get our songs into peoples’ ears. Our label, the amazing Animal Farm Music has been really great about helping us do that. But everything we do is in service of that ideal. Along the way, we’ll play some shows, add in new Trickshooters, wear some fun hats and maybe by the time we talk to you guys again, we’ll have a hilarious story. But we doubt it.
A huge thank you to all the lovely people from “Trickshooter Social Club”, we had a blast chatting with you, it’s a pleasure getting to know you more…
We wish you all the best in the world, you go rock big time.
- Thank you for allowing us a few pixels to talk about our music. We enjoy talking with you. Cheers!
