It’s been such an awesome couple of weeks since we released Solid Ground. We’re so thankful for the reception it’s received from everyone who’s listened to it, the radio stations that have played it and the playlisters who have added it to their playlists. Thank you so much for all the support!
I’ve talked about the meaning behind the lyrics of the song. I also wanted to give a nod to some the bands and albums that influenced and helped shape the song as a whole. Now that the song is released, this is retrospective, thinking back to what I was listening to at the time I wrote the song many years ago. Here are 3 of the albums that likely had the most influence on the writing of this song.
The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
If you know me, or if you’ve been following us for some time, then this should come as no surprise. I had this album on repeat from ’08 until like…this morning. A modern twist on old school rock ‘n’ roll from a band with punk roots and ethos. I’ve loved this album for a long time. . Something about it struck just the right nerve. Melodies I never got out of my head (and never wanted to), songs of love and loss with such great storytelling. It’s an all-time favorite for me. Hell, I probably stumbled on the chords for Solid Ground while playing along to the title track
Favorites include: Great Expectations, ’59 Sound, High and Lonesome, The Patient Ferris Wheel
Counting Crows – August and Everything After
It’s no secret we’ve got roots in 90s alternative rock. We talk a lot about our grunge influences, but there’s plenty of pop rock from those days in my CD collection. And this classic still gets a lot of play in my house. I’ve always thought Solid Ground has a little bit of the same kind of bounce to it as songs like Mr. Jones, and this is one album I think the pop feel in the song came from. Plus I wrote the song after striking up a conversation with a black-haired flamenco dancer.
Favorites include: Round Here, Perfect Blue Buildings, Raining in Baltimore, Anna Begins
Lucero – Nobody’s Darlings
There was a ton of Lucero on the stereo at the time of writing Solid Ground. That includes pretty much all of their albums, but none more than Nobody’s Darlings. And while it was All the Same to Me that pulled me in initially, Sixteen became hands down my favorite song on the album. We may not have quite as much Memphis soul in our sound, but I’d say this band and particularly this album had influence on things like the straight-ahead rock feel, rhythm, and chord selection on Solid Ground.
Favorites include: All the Same to Me, Sixteen, Nobody’s Darlings, The War
