The night before my interview with Cory Chisel, I went and had a few drinks down in West Village of New York City at a bar just blocks away from The Rubin Museum of Art, the venue where Chisel and the Wandering Sons will play their first post-Pygmalion Music Festival show of the year. After my third beer (at eight bucks a pop), someone threw a Tom Waits song on the jukebox and all the empty air in the room was filled with that iconic, growling voice of the legendary singer-songwriter. My ears perked up not because I was familiar with the song but because I was familiar with the voice. Then I realized that right when I stepped off the subway on 4th Ave., I had just finished listening to Old Believers, the Wandering Sons’ fifth and latest full-length album. That was the reason I tightened up a little and made me really listen, because not only was the voice similar but the tonal and depth of the music itself was eerily recognizable.
When I talked to Cory the next day, the Wandering Sons’ lead singer and songwriter, I found out that it was no coincidence. Chisel said:
I think Tom Waits is a torchbearer of a certain kind of music that… is always present… It’s made out of the dirt and gravel of every artist that came before; it drags everything great behind it and moves it forward to the new age. I’m attracted to that type of songwriter who’s really informed on what came before and where things are going. He’s just a journeyman.
Quite a journeyman himself, Chisel is calling from Nashville, the music city that he has called home for just over a year now. But it’s important to note that Chisel hasn’t been able to call one specific location “home” for a few years now. The guy has been relentlessly touring the United States, Europe and even Australia in the last couple years; a majority of the run in support of Nora Jones. The reception down under was so great that he’s heading down there later this year. He said:
The Australians, I don’t know what they’ve figured out, I think I’m going back to figure out what they’ve figured out [laughs]. I don’t know if it’s because there are so many Scotts-Irish or what. There are always some amazing places to play in the world and a lot of them are filled with Scottish and Irish people.
With acts like Nick Cave and AC/DC gaining huge acclaim here in the US, Chisel is realizing the enthusiasm towards singer-songwriters, much like himself:
They just seem to have a passion for storytelling. It’s had its time in Europe, it’s had its time in the States but it feels like it’s washing up on their shore; the songwriting age.
Chisel’s folk, blues and Americana roots grow deep; he was raised in Canada, our great neighbor to the north, where his parents introduced him to guys like Waits, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash. Chisel will join Cash’s daughter, Roseanne, on a string of US dates in support of her “phenomenal new record” that Chisel had the pleasure of singing on.
As far as Chisel’s next record with the Wandering Sons, talking about plans that haven’t been hashed out yet gives him a bit of anxiety.
If I had [details] I’d give ‘em to you. I have a bit of a panic attack about making plans and writing because I start thinking “Oh I’ve gotta get this shit done.” And then songs start to dry up or hide. I’m just done when I think I like every song and that can be a little bit of a process.
Even with his packed touring schedule, Chisel plans to hopefully get in the studio and have a new album out next year.
It’s coming up quick, but some point in the next year I’ve gotta get one out. Right now my desk is piled up with songs and right now I’ve just got to go through it and see who I’m still friends with.
Speaking of friends, Brendan Benson of The Raconteurs is a longtime collaborator with Chisel who produced 2009’s Death Won’t Send a Letter as well as 2012’s Old Believers.
[The recording process] was exciting, man. Which is why you work with Brendan. He’s got a lot of energy; energy is his pearl ya know? He’s got enthusiasm for a song; he’s putting in 15-hour days if we’re hitting good stuff. And if you felt like you were bumming someone out for a second I just assumed “go back to the bar.” It’s that enthusiasm that gives you the stones to finish a product. It could feel a little narcissistic unless you have a real cheerleader.
As for future plans, Chisel is confident that the two will hook up more than once in the future.
Brendan and I always find a way to work together, whether it’s getting trouble at the Home Depot or whatever. I think our collaboration is gonna be a lifelong one.
Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons play Pygmalion on Saturday, September 28. Don’t miss them when they go on at 7:00 at the Highdive Outdoor Stage.