A Dirty Dozen with BRADFORD LOOMIS – October 2019

According to a recent press release: “Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter Bradford Loomis is set to release a new album, Where the Light Ends, on October 11, 2019.  Recorded at Sound Forge Studios in Kenewick WA, and produced by Brandon Bee, Where the Light Ends speaks of the raw reality of the human condition with passion, sharing tales that are shaped by grief and longing and colored by wistfulness and regret, but that are lifted by enduring hope, humility, and love.” We get Bradford to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only die hard fans might find?

Where the Light Ends is an album that’s been a long time coming. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time on the road. This vagabond life has such a cost, but there is also so much value that comes with it. I’ve met so many incredible people with fascinating stories. This album explores that dichotomy. There are some great cameos on this album. I really value nuance and intentionality. I want my songs, my records and my music to always be moving. I really feel like there is a lot hidden in the layers of this album, but I hate giving spoilers. Ha!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I think I always knew. At least from 6th grade on for sure. Music got me through so many hard times. It became my therapy. But, I walked away from music for a decade when my children were born. I had always been told to have a backup plan. Once my wife and I started our family, I moved to Plan B. I discovered I was pretty bad at a lot of things. We had just bought a home in 2007 when the great recession hit. Losing my job and finding myself fighting to keep our house launched me into playing music again.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I was dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. That type of loss carries an enormous emotional toll. It had nowhere to go if it wasn’t for music. I found Glen Hansard and the Swell Season and their music, and the unbridled passion was captivating. I dove into the storytelling of roots music through Pete Seeger, and that showed me a way to tell my story. Music has always been a tremendous release for me. Rediscovering that might have saved my life.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

I would have to say Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, the Eagles, Glen Hansard, and The Band.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would have to say Bruce Springsteen. He has so much experience having been through it all and still being on top of his game.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I have taken to calling my version of soulful Americana “Rhythm and Roots.” I generally don’t mind comparisons at all. It’s human nature. I get Chris Stapleton, Ray LaMontagne, and Joe Cocker fairly often. Jamey Johnson is probably the weirdest. I think it’s purely aesthetics. I don’t think we sound much alike at all.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I like to treat the band as often as possible. I’m a firm believer in breaking bread together. None of us drink particularly much, and I don’t think we’ve ever had a singalong other than practice.

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I am not a person who is prone to getting starstruck, but that being said, I went to a Christmas party and Emmylou was there. I spent two hours trying to figure out how to introduce myself to her. She was in conversations with people, and I certainly wasn’t going to interrupt her. I never got the courage to introduce myself. I blew it!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Performing is rewarding, but I love the travel, and getting to connect with people in meaningful ways. I think that if I couldn’t be a musician anymore, I would want to open a board game store / coffeeshop.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I think that I’ve always gone into interviews with little to no expectations. There isn’t a question I’ve been dying to be asked but haven’t as of yet. I generally want to make sure that my current project is touched upon, and here we are talking about Where the Light Ends. The only question that I’m even moderately tired of addressing doesn’t come from interviewers. As you can imagine, I get asked if anyone has ever told me I look like Hagrid pretty regularly. Ha!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’ve worked with some amazing musicians in my life. I’ve been very fortunate. I think the only regrets I have are when working relationships come to an end. Even under the best of circumstances, it’s hard to navigate and not hurt anyone’s feelings. Communication has to be done right. I think I’m still learning how to do that well.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Wow! So many good records to choose from. I would love to see T Bone Burnett’s process. I think Raising Sand would have been amazing to witness let alone be a part of.

BRADFORD LOOMIS LINKS:

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Category: Interviews