Thursday, January 28, 2016

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT + INTERVIEW : STUBBORN SON


Here at KXSU we like to profile local bands we’ve discovered and really, really like, just for you. A three-piece band from Seattle, Stubborn Son consists of singer/guitarist Garrett Lamp, bassist Andrew Knapp and drummer Blair Daly. Their debut album, Birthright (available right here on Amazon and iTunes) shimmers with uninhibited, raw energy, emulating vocals with that bluesy moodiness infused with the grating discord of unadulterated rock-and-roll. It’s hard to believe the group only came together in early 2014.
Just last week, Stubborn Son performed at Neumos for “Love Seattle Vol 2.” as part of a stunning local lineup featuring KXSU regulars Fauna Shade, along with Charms, P.S., Bod, Sunder Heed, Uh Oh Eskimo, Colorworks, The Spider Ferns, and Alec Shaw with all proceeds going to benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital.
To set the scene: All questions were answered by all of Stubborn Son, sitting around crowded over Garrett’s iPhone. Garrett is squatting, Blair is cris-cross-applesauce style and Andrew is taking the pose of one well-known drunken sea captain.

BP: Are you stoked for Neumos tonight?! Are you guys tight with any of other local bands playing?SS: Hell yeah! It was one of our goals for the new year to play Neumos’ stage. Not to mention this show is for a fantastic cause [Seattle Children’s Hospital]. We’ve gotten to know the Acid Tounge guys and Scotty from Fauna Shade over this last year and they make some fantastic tunes!

BP:
 It says on your site that you’re going to be announcing a tour sometime soon! Can you give us any hints as to where you’re heading?SS: We are working on a few things right now, including Portland, San Fran and Boise. But we’re still getting things nailed down.

BP:
 
What’s your personal favorite song off your album? Mine are Vixen and Make Your Heart Stop. I’ve had them on repeat all afternoon!SS: Wow, thanks, we’re glad you dig them! We really dig “The Broken Heart Proof “(which can be downloaded for free on our Soundcloud page). We also go between a few tracks and digging different things. “Voices” is one of our favorite tracks and “Make Your Heart Stop” is always a damn good time to play live!

BP:
Who are your musical influences? Which musicians do you admire?SS: Depends on what day you ask us. We’ve recently been going back through the Jack Whitecatalogue, digging the Arcs record, and Father John Misty. That being said there is always some Beatles and Stones thrown in between all of those.

BP
:
Have you guys ever wanted to something else besides music?SS: We all thought about being Blue Angel pilots once. But other than that, no. We all really love writing, playing, recording and performing music.

BP: What’s your writing process like? Is it hard? Do you write every day? Like, do you write the lyrics first then the music or the other way around?SS: Typically our writing process starts with lyrics or a hook. Garrett or Andrew will bring a sort of skeleton version of a song to the group and then we’ll all sort of bite into it, chew it up, mull it over and then get to work on it. Andrew and Blair are some fantastic arrangers where Garrett is more of the lyricist. We try to write as much as we can, a lot of songs don’t make the cut and are filed away for some other use or repurpose. Typically though, our process is lyrics/melody, then guitar & bass work, then we work on the rhythms and then put the song back through the ringer again.
BP: Have you played at any local Seattle venues before? Which was your favorite? If not, where would you like to play? Or what’s your favorite venue to play at?SS: Yes, we have played a number of venues here in town. We released Birthright at the Tractor Tavern last summer, we have played the Sunset, the Columbia City Theatre, the Conor Byrne, the old Comet Tavern and a few others too. We really love the Tractor, but there are so many good places to play here in town.
BP: At what point in your career do you think you’ll say “we made it”? What’s your ultimate dream/goal as a band?SS: Not sure. We want to play music and share experiences with people. We really love the opportunity to do that and hope that we can continue to do so till we’re too old.
BP: Okay. Best place to eat in Seattle?SS: Bitterroot BBQ. Hands down the best BBQ we’ve been to. SO.DAMN.GOOD! Late night happy hour after a show…that’s hard to beat.
BP: If you could come up with your own Lays flavor, what would it be?SS: Lays Whiskey Chips. Actually, that might be a good hangover cure…like hair of the dog, but different.

BP:
 
Anything else you’d like to say?SS: Next time we see each other, let’s dance.


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