A Dirty Dozen with SETH WARDEN from WARDEN AND CO. – April 2022

According to a recent press release: “Saratoga Springs, NY-based Americana/roots rock/folk trio Warden and Co. is set to release its debut album, Somewhere, on April 8, 2022. Band members include frontman/vocalist/ guitarist Seth Warden, violinist/vocalist Doug Moody, and drummer Brian Melick. The album, an independent release, was co-produced by multi-instrumentalist Chris Carey and Warden and recorded at Millstone Studio in Ballston Spa, NY. Somewhere offers up 11 servings of auditory earnestness. The band has created a mood of emotional tenderness, meeting in a special place where rock, folk, and Americana converge. And the feeling is personal, familiar, and true.” We get Seth to discuss new music, influences, and 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 diehard fans might find?

On first listen, someone might not realize that the beautiful female voice on “Somewhere” is my oldest daughter, LOVELLA. She has been joining us on a song or two at our performances lately, so to have her in the studio and to hear her voice bless this song was just magical.

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

My parents’ record collection is the culprit for getting me into music! They listened to The Beatles, James Taylor, Journey, America, and so many other amazing folk and rock artists. It wasn’t until I heard Guns N’ Roses in the late 1980s that I knew I wanted to play rock music, and once my cousin played Pearl Jam’s Ten for me, I was pushed over the edge with the desire to become a songwriter.

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

Pearl Jam and Nirvana sent me into a musical whirlwind which led me to discover the other Seattle bands like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and The Screaming Trees.

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

I would love to have the opportunity to sit down and write a song or perform with Eddie Vedder!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

As a husband and father of three amazing kids, our life rarely unwinds! LOL! I am a huge fan of films, so one of my favorite activities outside of music is watching movies together as a family. It’s important to “escape” together into worlds and stories that inspire us to write our own.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

I’ve been sticking with a description that came to us a few months ago where we were compared to the mighty Traveling Wilburys, and I feel like it hits the nail on the head when it comes to the music of Warden and Co.

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?

Doug Moody would be the first one cooking, Brian Melick would be getting the coffee ready, and I would have the acoustic guitar out (always!).

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

Meeting Eddie Vedder in Albany, NY in 2009 was one of those starstruck moments for me. His music and the music of Pearl Jam is what inspired me to become a songwriter.

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?

I love songwriting and the challenges it creates. It keeps my engine turning. If I couldn’t be a musician anymore, I would be involved in the film industry in one way or another. Foley and special/practical effects are aspects of movie-making that fascinate me.

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?

It’s always difficult to talk about my music and to “sell” people on the art that we make. I love talking about the process and the behind the scenes, but it feels more comfortable to have the listener tell me about our music from their point of view.

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?

Ha ha! Of course we all wish we could get a do-over on some moments in our past. I remember opening for Sevendust (when I was in my old band) at a festival outside Syracuse, NY, and the singer, Lajon, came up to me when we finished and invited me to have a drink with him after their set (which was a mind blowing offer!), and I proceeded to call him the wrong name: Morgan (the drummer’s name of Sevendust). I was so embarrassed that I never made it to their bus for that beer.

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, this is a great, yet very difficult, question! There have been so many albums that have inspired me throughout my multiple decades as a musician, and one that I wish I could go back in time for would be Eagles’ Hotel California.

WARDEN AND CO. LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews