Interview // Langhorne Slim
Photo by Harvey Robinson
Langhorne Slim's Lost at Last Vol. 1 is light for the light seekers dreaming of a more unified and beautiful world.
You've just announced your newest record, Lost at Last Vol 1. The collection is based in love and for those who cherish other people. What prompted this drive to write for these amorous emotions?
Love isn't just some hippie shit, it's ancient shit and can be used as a profound act of rebellion against the fear and negativity pounded into our being 24 hours a day. There's always been darkness and there always will be but the same is true for the light. This is a record for the light seekers, the dreamers and freaks who are willing to put action to the dream that we can all exist on a higher plane - a more united and beautiful world.
Do you typically have a singular or focused approach for writing each album or do they come together more organically? In terms of creativity, does your focus on the album write the songs or does a focus on individual songs form the album?
I've always written songs as they come and then at some point, they become an album.
Your last record The Spirit Moves was released in 2015. What has changed in your creative processes and motivations since then?
My main motivation for this record was to have a looser approach. To write songs that would stand up as straight with just me and guitar as they would with a full band or bigger production. I wanted to write folk songs, invite some my best friends and musicians into a living room and press record.
You host Pink House Sessions for some of the finest artists passing through Nashville to record an intimate live recording and video. How did this idea come to fruition? Is this something we can expect to continue with more artists performing at the house?
I found myself with the keys to an infinitely inspiring home. It called to me to open it as a creative space for traveling friends and musicians. One of my dearest friends is Joel Sadler, a brilliant videographer who films all the Pink House house sessions. I'm simply grateful to have this wealth of extraordinary musician compadres who feel safe and inspired enough to stop over and allow us to film them. There will be many more to come!
Our first introduction to your music was years and years (and years) ago sharing bills at the inception of the Avett's career. How did your relationship with Scott and Seth begin? How has your friendship developed throughout both of your creatively-rich careers?
Many years ago, our mutual friend Nicole Atkins hosted a tiny show for the Avett's in the back room of a restaurant in the Lower East Side. At the time, nobody there knew who they were. She invited me along to play a few tunes of my own. We immediately hit it off and they invited me to come open some shows for them in North Carolina. I was blown away when I got there. The place was packed with screaming fans and I'll never forget thinking, "holy crap, these guys are like the bluegrass Beatles." We've remained soul brothers all these years and I'll be joining them soon for their festival in Mexico, alongside John Prine (one of my all time musical heroes) and a slew of other greats.
You're performing at Bristol Rhythm and Roots 2017 this weekend. Have you played the festival before? The festival in Bristol is a great mixture of big stage performances and smaller intimate sets. What do you look forward to about performing at festivals? Are there any sets at this year's Bristol Rhythm and Roots that you're excited to catch?
I've had the pleasure to play BR&Rs quite a few times over the years. Its become a musical family reunion of sorts. I look forward to it all.
Purchase Langhorne Slim's new record, Lost at Last Vol. 1 out on November 10 from Dualtone Records. Catch Langhorne Slim's appearance at this year's Bristol Rhythm and Roots music festival. Find his other tour dates here.