Chris Snyder:
You have a new album coming out, “Squareneck Soul”. Can you tell us about the players on the album and how you picked out the players?
Andy Hall:
On a solo project, it’s all just you. Last year, starting in June, I started writing instrumental material every day. I would wake up and my whole goal for that day would be just to write as much as possible. By the end of the month, I had about a dozen songs that I really liked, and I recorded ten of them. So it all happened within a few weeks, and with previous records, it would be over months or even years. I would look through my archive of old recordings and see what I got. With “Squareneck Soul”, I wanted to all be fresh, so I just wrote it all, and then recorded it, and that was a creative release for me.
This is the first band project of my music I’ve done in quite a number of years. I’ve got Travis Book playing bass, Sierra Hull and Ronnie McCoury playing mandolin. As well as, Wes Corbett, banjo player for Sam Bush, along with Bryan Sutton on guitar and Billy Strings plays on a tune. It’s a killer lineup, with people that I’ve known for quite a few years and are just amazing musical talents. When I got fired up for this record, it was about a year ago, and it just dawned on me that it was time. Doing a full band record is sort of a daunting task. It’s just a lot to do, when you’re in a band like The Infamous Stringdusters, all the work gets taken on by all the band plus our team. I decided it was time, I was feeling the creative spark.
Chris:
When you wake up every day and write. It’s great to bring out fresh tunes. You have old school players and the next generation of bluegrass as well on this record.
Andy Hall:
They are all good improvisers. Each of those players are definitely grounded in bluegrass but are very modern improvisers and creative. I wrote these songs to be somewhat simple and wasn’t trying to push the boundaries too much of conceptual songwriting. The way I wanted the songs to be fun, catchy and a way for these great musicians to improvise on. I really wanted to be in the studio with musicians and see where it took us. It was such an honor.
Chris:
You gave the nod to producer Sean Sullivan for the record. How did you originally connect with Sean?
Andy Hall:
Ronnie McCoury recommended Sean. I knew I had to go to Nashville to record the album, that’s where all the musicians live. I’ve been out of the loop of Nashville for about a decade now. I asked Ronnie who he thought I could really get a “bluegrass” sound from. Sean has worked with The McCourys, Molly Tuttle, Michael Cleveland and many others. I wanted someone who understood acoustic tones and bluegrass music as a whole.
Chris:
Earlier you mentioned, The Infamous Stringdusters. You guys have really been pushing the bluegrass scene for many years now. Can you talk about the “brotherhood” all of you guys have together.
Andy Hall:
The one thing that makes us unique is putting in the work as people and artists over the years. Like any relationship it takes work, effort and compromise, the more you do that the more successful you’ll be. If you are in close quarters working with them day after day for years, there’s a lot of give and take, sacrifice and trust building. The more you do that truly the closer you get. The band started very naturally, and I’m very grateful to be a part of it. A lot of trust as far as creativity, and it continues to grow as we built that foundation.
Chris:
Personally I’ve seen you guys grow leaps and bounds, musically and personally through the years. Whether it’s a first time listener or someone who has seen you guys a bunch. You always bring energy and appreciation to the table.
Andy Hall:
Thanks, Chris. Some of these solo endeavors make us appreciate what we have when we get back together as a band. When we have some time to appreciate our family and friends, and come back together after a few weeks, we are always fresh and ready to rock. It’s an appreciation that we all share.
