With his new album Lost in Light available now, we caught up with Canadian Troubadour Tim Chaisson to talk about working with Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds on the release, we look ahead to his upcoming Australian shows and touch on the all too important topic of pizza.
We’ll kick off talking about the new record. You worked with Bill Reynolds on the release in Toronto. How did the two of you come to work together?
Basically I was on the hunt for a producer who was on the same page as me… I kind of stumbled across Bill one day when I was online – I loved what he did on Band Of Horses (I’ve been a fan of them for a long time) and also Lissie. I just called him up one day and after our first conversation I was like ‘he’s the guy’.
How long was the recording process and what was the experience like?
We isolated ourselves in a little studio about an hour north of Toronto – we basically didn’t leave there for 16 days straight. Bill had a gap in his touring schedule so we went hard the entire time until it was done. It was a cool little studio called ‘Chalet’ – far in the woods with no distractions at all. It was beautiful up there.
Bill is quoted in press releases as praising you for your songwriting – what do you think of Bill as a bass player?
He’s an amazing bass player. I was lucky enough to have him play bass all over this record too. There are a few tracks on there where he really digs in – Goodbye July in particular. His bass line makes the song as far as I’m concerned!
It seems that with each release comes more touring, bigger shows and more recognition – how does this growth and in particular your life on the road influence your songwriting?
It’s all related. When you’re on the road all of the time, you’re constantly meeting new people, encountering new situations and learning more about the art of songwriting. I’m always looking to grow as a writer and being on the road, for me, is key.
How far back do the songs on Lost in Light date back? What’s the first song that was written for the album?
Most of the songs were written on and off the road in 2013 and the beginning of 2014. I actually wrote two or three of them a few days before recording the record.
‘No Getting Off Easy’ was an older song that I had before recording my last record… I kind of forgot about it until I stumbled across it. Songs are funny like that – when I heard it after about 2 years of it being a voice memo in my phone, I was like ‘I like that song, I should record it’!
You may have already answered this question, but when you’re working on a new album, do you ever look back at remnants of earlier material and revisit it? Maybe a half written song… a melody that didn’t quite find its place? (And are there any particular examples of this?)… Or, do you tend to leave that behind you and start fresh with each release?
I guess I kind of answered part of that above but I totally always go back to old melodies and lyrics. Sometimes they just don’t come to light right away or I’m in a rush so I jot an idea down and forget about it until I sit down to write again.
Sometimes I’ll take an old idea into a co-writing session and it fits with another idea perfectly.
What inspired the title of the record?
It was a lyric I had in a song that I had never recorded. It kind of jumped out to me though… The lyric was referring to a city being lost in light but it also applied to me, and my journey as a traveling musician – you never know what is to come next.
Who are some of your favourite artists at the moment?
I’ve always loved Ryan Adams but I find I cannot stop listening to his new album at the moment. So good.
This tour will be your sixth (!!!!) of Australia. Where are some of your favourite places to head when you’re down under – given you’re essentially a local now.
I know eh? Pretty crazy. The food, coffee and wine are so good in Australia – pretty much 3 of my favourite things. I could hang at a coffee shop over looking the beach all day.
Any shows you’re particularly looking forward to playing while you’re down here?
I’ve heard great things about Festival Of The Sun – the line-up is amazing this year too. See you there!
What can we expect from the shows? What set-up will you be bringing along? Will they just be solo performances?
This time around I’m taking my cousin, Koady Chaisson. He’s been touring with me for a while – he’s a great bass + banjo player and singer – very talented guy. It’ll be his first time to AUS so I’m looking forward to having him there with me.
Favourite Pizza Toppings?
I could take just garlic, oregano, virgin olive oil and grana padano to be honest. I do like a good pizza with as many vegetables on it as possible though : )
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The new album Lost in Light is out now. Tim Chaisson tours through November and December. Festival dates that have been announced so far are below! Headline shows are promised and forthcoming!
TIM CHAISSON – 2014 FESTIVAL DATES
Saturday 22 November Reunion Festival, The Entrance NSW
Saturday 29 November Gorgeous Festival, SA
Sunday 30 November Queenscliff Music Festival, VIC
12 – 13 December Festival of the Sun, Port Macquarie NSW
