‘I HAD THESE SONGWRITING MEETINGS IN NASHVILLE BUT IT WAS REALLY CLINICAL'
Writinteach you
With country aces THE FELSONS back on the radar, Doug Johnstone finds out about their time out, the new songs and the trouble with Nashville.
hatever happened to the Felsons? It's a question
that’s probably been on the lips of anyone who
follows country music produced on this fair isle for the last few years. Since their formation in Edinburgh in the mid-90$ the Felsons. based around the songwriting of frontman Dean Owens. blazed something of a trail across the British country community. winning awards and plaudits for their two albums and creating a stushie with their incendiary live shows.
And it wasn't just in this country that the band were taking off. One minute they were touring the States with superstar friends the Mavericks. the next they were being invited to Nashville to collaborate with Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle. And then. sometime in 2001. the trail went cold. As singer Owens explains. it was a deliberate break but they were only meant to be out the spotlight for a wee while.
‘What was supposed to be a few months apart from each other to let us do other musical stuff ended up being three or four years.‘ he says. ‘It's not been a deliberate time away from the Felsons. but I did a couple of solo records and they've taken up so much time that we never got it together again until now.‘
In fact the three members of the Felsons haven‘t even really been apart. Both bassist Kevin McGuire and guitarist Calais Brown have featured on Owens' solo albums and have played in his live band promoting his solo shows. but the solo Owens material is very different musically from the more traditional rollicking country of the Felsons and he reckoned it was best to keep the two separate.
‘I tend to write quite a lot of miserable songs. and
that’s how my solo records came about. because I had all these songs that it didn't feel right to use as the Felsons.’ he says. 'When I think of the Felsons. I've always seen them as quite an energetic live band. and now I find I'm writing songs that don‘t really suit the solo vibe. so I've pttt them in the Felsons tray. It sounds daft. but I think I'm a wee bit schizophrenic really.‘
One catalyst to the band reforming now has been the incessant enthusiasm of their friends the Mavericks. Having formed a strong bond while touring. Owens and the rest of the band kept in close contact with the chart- bothering Nashville outfit. This time round the Felsons have recruited Mavericks drummer Patti Deacon into their live band. and bassist Robert Reynolds is set to produce their next album in Nashville later in the year.
What that record will sound like is anyone's guess. During their time apart Owens has soaked tip all sorts of influences. notably a strong Celtic folk sound and. as for Nashville. it's a city he’s distinctly ambivalent about. having spent some time over there hitching a brief ride on the country music industry charabanc.
‘I had all these songwriting meetings. it was really clinical.‘ he says. laughing at the memory. 'You meet someone in a room and you have a couple of hours to see what you come up with. At the end of one meeting this guy said. "That's really good. but it's not Nashville." 1 said. "Of course it's not Nashville. it‘s fucking Edinburgh." It just wasn't for me.‘
Nashville's loss is our gain.
Howden Park, Livingston, Sat 14 May; the Venue, Edinburgh, Tue 17 May.
Big Big Country Call it Americana, country, or anything else you fancy but the glorious racket made by the likes of Vic Chesnutt, the Paperboys or Eliza Gilkyson at this festival is still worthy of investigation. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 12 —Sat 27 May. (Rock & Pop, Folk)
Nlld King and Marcus Ford King forsakes her recent septet for a return to her more intimate duo collaboration with guitarist Ford. Henry's Jazz Cellar, Edinburgh, Fri 73-Sat 74 May. (Jazz)
Lina Nyberg and Andere Pereeon Highly regarded Swedish singer Nyberg (pictured) makes her Scottish debut with pianist Anders Persson. Henry’s Jazz Cellar, Edinburgh, Thu 19 May. (Jaz)
v- Battlefield Band After hooking up with musicians in far flung Uzbekistan. 88 return to show off the new friends they've made. See preview page 70. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Wed 18 May; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 20 May (Folk)
The Dlrtbombe The White Stripes may be the king and Queen of Detroit but these strapping blues funk behemoths have all the musical aces up their sleeves. Barfly, Glasgow, Fri 20 May (Rock & Pop)
Burns An’ A’ That Lou Reed, Pete Doherty and Blazin' Fiddles are among those paying tribute to the Bard's life and work. Various Venues, Ayr, Fri 20 —Sun 29 May. (Flock 8 Pop, Folk)
2 KT “Install The album is great. her live shows just keep getting better and better. isn’t it great when something’s just work out right? Carling Academy, Glasgow, Wed 25 May. (Rock & POD)
12—26 May 2005 THI LIST 69