"A whole day with nothing to do...that's when the ideas come."
So I have a couple bio-type questions because I couldn't find this information anywhere. Where were you born and when?
Shelbyville, TN
Hold on a second...Shelbyville?
Yeah, yeah. It's a real place, not just a town on The Simpsons. It's an hour south of Nashville.
Wow. I've never met someone from Shelbyville before. When were you born?
You want my real birthday or my Hollywood birthday?
Oh come on man! You can't be a legend if you're giving out bullshit information.
That's true. Ok, I was born December 7, 1977.
Were you raised in Shelbyville?
I actually grew up in Nashville for the most part. Ages 5-18.
Alright, now on to the real questions. Other than music, what would you say has been most influential to you as a musician?
My relationships with people? I don't know...coffee? That's probably the biggest one- coffee. Space to think about things. When I think of a song it's always at an inconvenient time like when I am about to go to sleep or in the car without a pen or paper. I don't know, honestly. Maybe it's God. Maybe it's just life, in general.
So let's talk about the Warner Bros. thing for a minute. I know a number of bands who found themselves in the same situation- releasing their debut album and the label goes through major changes that leaves them on the back burner. The mistake they said they regret is waiting so long to do something about it. They wasted a lot of time just waiting to see what happens. Is that how you felt?
The whole thing was terribly frustrating. We were signed by Warner Bros. and the guy who signed us ended up leaving when the new President came in. We were orphaned. The label didn't want to let us go, but they didn't want to take any action either. So they kind of left us in limbo. We couldn't get anything done because we didn't have a true dedicated champion there who was on our side and working for us. We spent years trying to get their attention and trying to improve our situation to no avail. Eventually it got to the point where somehow we were able to maneuver our way out of that deal and move on to find a great new label home.
How did that situation change the way you do business? Or did it?
It changed the process by which we found our current label. We were a lot more careful this time around. We were a lot more education about how it works and the things you want to look out for and all the bad things that can happen. The main lesson we learned is that it's not about the record label. It's about who is at the record label. How much they like you and how much they believe in your music. If they seem confident enough and dedicated enough to work their asses off for you. It took us longer to settle on a record label this time, but we found a great one [Fantasy Records].
Has it made you at all skeptical?
I know what's going on in our band's business. It's a crazy industry. There is nothing solid about it. I don't...I am less skeptical than I am grateful when things go right. I've learned that no matter what happens it is my responsibility. Music is not something you make a career of because you're looking to make a bunch of money. It can happen, but if that's your reason, you'll give up. If you don't have true love for music and perseverance as a musician, you're never going to make it.
So this is a super cliche music interview question, but I am genuinely curious. Tell me about your process. How do your songs come about?
For me it usually starts with a melody or a lyric idea. A short little gem. Often times I don't know what it's about. An example? The song 'Disappear.' We started with that one line..that melody. Disappear. I like the way it sat in my voice...the word itself. It resonated with me and I knew I had to work with that. We built the entire song around that one word and the melody of it.
I have more recently gotten into co-writing. At first I was afraid of it but I have found it helps me to finish songs and helps me come up with things I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Sometimes, though, an entire song will come out with... there's no real rhyme or reason to it. If I sit at the piano long enough, I'll come up with something. One day I'll figure out what the formula is. I know I can't write when I'm in distress. It's hard to write when I'm on the road. I like feeling like I have all the time in the world. A whole day with nothing to do...that's when the ideas come.
That leads nicely into another question I had for you. If time and money were not things you had to worry about, what would you make? Or would you even make an album?
Of course I'd make an album. You'd just have to see, wouldn't you? I'd get my band together and we'd probably just start calling our favorite musicians in the world and say, "Hey, would you like to play on this record? We'll pay you." Actually, I feel like we had a great opportunity on this last record. We could do whatever we wanted to do. We put some strings on and some great background singers. I'm in tour mode right now so I'm not thinking about the next project.
It would be nice to have a long, long period of time in a great studio like Blackbird. A part of me thinks that would be so much fun. Another part of me thinks I am a procrastinator and I need time limits. The album we did in college took 5 days to record, mix and master. We got a great sound out of it. We are a live band. We do our best stuff live. The key thing for us is getting in an environment where what we do best will come across. I think it would be cool to record in an actual setting like a canyon or cave. I'm totally serious. Something where the acoustics are really good.
Why did you decide to be a 3-piece?
I've always admired power trios. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. I like when 3 people can be so good and so tight they sound like 5 people. We wanted the album to be about the songs. Three was all we needed. After the first record label experience we wanted to get to the core of what this music is all about. 3 piece is the most efficient way to get the music to the world. That's not to say we'd never have another musician but we like the way things are now. We used to have 5 members and it was cluttered-sounding. Crowded.
Do you believe in fate?
No. I believe that we are all responsible for our own destinies. I used to believe in it. But, do I believe it is predetermined what my life is going to be like when I am older? No. It comes from me. It comes from how I choose to live my life.
I believe I am here to put music into the world, but I don't think it goes further than that. I think I've been given a gift of music and it's up to me to use it to the best way I know how.
Do you think you can be objective about your own music?
Probably not, but I can try.
If you were to review your album, how many stars would you give yourself (out of 10)?
What am I gonna say? I'd give it 10 stars! We nailed it! I honestly believe that. I'm not full of myself, but I am really proud of the record.
So I read that you worked with Paul McCartney. Are you sure it was the REAL Paul McCartney?
It was him. I'm sure of it. There is only one Paul McCartney. He's one of my biggest musical influences of all time. Top 2 or 3. I have seen all those old videos and stuff. I'm pretty darn sure. I watched him play 'Blackbird' on the guitar 2 feet away from me. It was him, I promise.
How sure are you?
100%
Wow, leaving NO wiggle room.
I heard a radio show all about Paul being dead. There is some pretty serious science that points to him being dead, but I think it's just bizarre coincidence. And of course the band probably played it up to sell more records.
Most likely. Ok, one last question...Do you read?
I wish I read more. I brought 2 books out on the road with me. I have read half a page of one of them. I'm a little bit glued to my laptop. I think it's becoming a problem. I need to put stuff away and get quality time with my books. I'm gonna do that today, actually. Thanks for mentioning it! The more you read, the smarter you are. I really believe that. I haven't been reading fiction lately. I'm into books about spirituality and the nature of life right now. Philosophical books.
Well that's all I had for you. Good luck with the new album!
Thank you!
MySpace.com - The Gabe Dixon Band - Nashville, Tennessee - Alternative / Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/gabedixonband
Shelbyville, TN
Hold on a second...Shelbyville?
Yeah, yeah. It's a real place, not just a town on The Simpsons. It's an hour south of Nashville.
Wow. I've never met someone from Shelbyville before. When were you born?
You want my real birthday or my Hollywood birthday?
Oh come on man! You can't be a legend if you're giving out bullshit information.
That's true. Ok, I was born December 7, 1977.
Were you raised in Shelbyville?
I actually grew up in Nashville for the most part. Ages 5-18.
Alright, now on to the real questions. Other than music, what would you say has been most influential to you as a musician?
My relationships with people? I don't know...coffee? That's probably the biggest one- coffee. Space to think about things. When I think of a song it's always at an inconvenient time like when I am about to go to sleep or in the car without a pen or paper. I don't know, honestly. Maybe it's God. Maybe it's just life, in general.
So let's talk about the Warner Bros. thing for a minute. I know a number of bands who found themselves in the same situation- releasing their debut album and the label goes through major changes that leaves them on the back burner. The mistake they said they regret is waiting so long to do something about it. They wasted a lot of time just waiting to see what happens. Is that how you felt?
The whole thing was terribly frustrating. We were signed by Warner Bros. and the guy who signed us ended up leaving when the new President came in. We were orphaned. The label didn't want to let us go, but they didn't want to take any action either. So they kind of left us in limbo. We couldn't get anything done because we didn't have a true dedicated champion there who was on our side and working for us. We spent years trying to get their attention and trying to improve our situation to no avail. Eventually it got to the point where somehow we were able to maneuver our way out of that deal and move on to find a great new label home.
How did that situation change the way you do business? Or did it?
It changed the process by which we found our current label. We were a lot more careful this time around. We were a lot more education about how it works and the things you want to look out for and all the bad things that can happen. The main lesson we learned is that it's not about the record label. It's about who is at the record label. How much they like you and how much they believe in your music. If they seem confident enough and dedicated enough to work their asses off for you. It took us longer to settle on a record label this time, but we found a great one [Fantasy Records].
Has it made you at all skeptical?
I know what's going on in our band's business. It's a crazy industry. There is nothing solid about it. I don't...I am less skeptical than I am grateful when things go right. I've learned that no matter what happens it is my responsibility. Music is not something you make a career of because you're looking to make a bunch of money. It can happen, but if that's your reason, you'll give up. If you don't have true love for music and perseverance as a musician, you're never going to make it.
So this is a super cliche music interview question, but I am genuinely curious. Tell me about your process. How do your songs come about?
For me it usually starts with a melody or a lyric idea. A short little gem. Often times I don't know what it's about. An example? The song 'Disappear.' We started with that one line..that melody. Disappear. I like the way it sat in my voice...the word itself. It resonated with me and I knew I had to work with that. We built the entire song around that one word and the melody of it.
I have more recently gotten into co-writing. At first I was afraid of it but I have found it helps me to finish songs and helps me come up with things I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Sometimes, though, an entire song will come out with... there's no real rhyme or reason to it. If I sit at the piano long enough, I'll come up with something. One day I'll figure out what the formula is. I know I can't write when I'm in distress. It's hard to write when I'm on the road. I like feeling like I have all the time in the world. A whole day with nothing to do...that's when the ideas come.
That leads nicely into another question I had for you. If time and money were not things you had to worry about, what would you make? Or would you even make an album?
Of course I'd make an album. You'd just have to see, wouldn't you? I'd get my band together and we'd probably just start calling our favorite musicians in the world and say, "Hey, would you like to play on this record? We'll pay you." Actually, I feel like we had a great opportunity on this last record. We could do whatever we wanted to do. We put some strings on and some great background singers. I'm in tour mode right now so I'm not thinking about the next project.
It would be nice to have a long, long period of time in a great studio like Blackbird. A part of me thinks that would be so much fun. Another part of me thinks I am a procrastinator and I need time limits. The album we did in college took 5 days to record, mix and master. We got a great sound out of it. We are a live band. We do our best stuff live. The key thing for us is getting in an environment where what we do best will come across. I think it would be cool to record in an actual setting like a canyon or cave. I'm totally serious. Something where the acoustics are really good.
Why did you decide to be a 3-piece?
I've always admired power trios. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. I like when 3 people can be so good and so tight they sound like 5 people. We wanted the album to be about the songs. Three was all we needed. After the first record label experience we wanted to get to the core of what this music is all about. 3 piece is the most efficient way to get the music to the world. That's not to say we'd never have another musician but we like the way things are now. We used to have 5 members and it was cluttered-sounding. Crowded.
Do you believe in fate?
No. I believe that we are all responsible for our own destinies. I used to believe in it. But, do I believe it is predetermined what my life is going to be like when I am older? No. It comes from me. It comes from how I choose to live my life.
I believe I am here to put music into the world, but I don't think it goes further than that. I think I've been given a gift of music and it's up to me to use it to the best way I know how.
Do you think you can be objective about your own music?
Probably not, but I can try.
If you were to review your album, how many stars would you give yourself (out of 10)?
What am I gonna say? I'd give it 10 stars! We nailed it! I honestly believe that. I'm not full of myself, but I am really proud of the record.
So I read that you worked with Paul McCartney. Are you sure it was the REAL Paul McCartney?
It was him. I'm sure of it. There is only one Paul McCartney. He's one of my biggest musical influences of all time. Top 2 or 3. I have seen all those old videos and stuff. I'm pretty darn sure. I watched him play 'Blackbird' on the guitar 2 feet away from me. It was him, I promise.
How sure are you?
100%
Wow, leaving NO wiggle room.
I heard a radio show all about Paul being dead. There is some pretty serious science that points to him being dead, but I think it's just bizarre coincidence. And of course the band probably played it up to sell more records.
Most likely. Ok, one last question...Do you read?
I wish I read more. I brought 2 books out on the road with me. I have read half a page of one of them. I'm a little bit glued to my laptop. I think it's becoming a problem. I need to put stuff away and get quality time with my books. I'm gonna do that today, actually. Thanks for mentioning it! The more you read, the smarter you are. I really believe that. I haven't been reading fiction lately. I'm into books about spirituality and the nature of life right now. Philosophical books.
Well that's all I had for you. Good luck with the new album!
Thank you!
MySpace.com - The Gabe Dixon Band - Nashville, Tennessee - Alternative / Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/gabedixonband
