Tag: Martin Scorsese

BGS 5+5: Jesse Dayton

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Jesse Dayton
Hometown: Beaumont Texas, but been in Austin forever.
Latest Album: Gulf Coast Sessions, out July 24
Personal nicknames: AKA the Beaumonster, AKA Country Soul Brother

What other art forms, like literature, film, dance, painting, etc. inform your music?

Books and film have been the biggest inspiration outside of listening to other folks’ music. I remember seeing Ralph Steadman’s subversive art in Rolling Stone magazine when I was a kid and then reading the words under it, which were Hunter S. Thompson’s words. I had read some of the classics at this point, but that was my first introduction to outsider, almost punk rock-like, literature. Then I got into the Beat writers and after that it was the Russian writers, then then Irish writers, up until Latino surrealist like Márquez.

I always gotta a book going. Right now it’s On Tyranny by Timothy Snider. The biggest thing I learned from the writers I love is sometimes the narrative of your story/lyrics don’t have to be perfectly defined. When people digest art, the only thing they usually remember about it is how it made them feel. Same with films. Truffaut, Scorsese, and PT Anderson have all made me think, “Wow, that’d make a great lyric.” I directed a horror B-film that starred Malcolm McDowell called Zombex on Amazon. I’m writing a book for Hachette Book Group/DaCapo Press which will be out 2021.

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do those impact your work?

I bought a house in South Austin about 18 years ago and we have access to a beautiful greenbelt forest that runs outside of town next to a flowing creek and that’s where I trail run. Besides the mental health benefits I get from defeating the shitty committee in my head that’s always trying to talk me out of exercising, I get lots of song ideas out in the woods that I wouldn’t get running on concrete. Besides, country music is not just a genre, it’s an actual place and sometimes ya gotta get out in the woods away from folks to receive clear messages about your work. I’m buzzing at a different frequency when my feet are in the dirt.

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

Well, as long as we’re “dreaming,” I can’t think of anything better than having a big plate of Cajun seafood, oysters on the half shell, Fried red fish stuffed with crab meat, and a shrimp cocktail, circa 1955 at Antoine’s in the Quarter in New Orleans with the father of American music, Louis Armstrong. What’s not to love? By the way, I rarely eat seafood anymore and eat mostly a plant-based diet so I don’t keel over like all my other relatives did in their 50s from clogged arteries. But I will go fishing and eat my catch from time to time.

How often do you hide behind a character in a song are use “you“ when it’s actually “me”?

I’m guilty of doing this sometimes when I write personal and vulnerable lyrics that couldn’t be about anyone else but me, but I write it as “you.” I do like the idea of creating characters vocally though. All my favorite singers have created them throughout their careers, whether it was Mick Jagger’s country voice on “Wild Horses” or his blues voice on “Midnight Rambler.” Everyone from Jerry Reed to Bob Dylan to Howlin’ Wolf all create characters in their lyrics and in the vocal booth.

If you had to write a mission statement for your career, what would it be?

Try to give back more than I receive and keep my expectations lower than my gratitude. The more I do this, the better I feel.

Photo credit: Ray Redding

BGS 5+5: Joshua Ray Walker

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Artist: Joshua Ray Walker
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Latest album: Glad You Made It (July 10, 2020)
Personal nickname: High Wide and Handsome

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

I started playing tenor banjo when I was three years old, and guitar when I was five. My grandfather brought a large record collection with him to Texas from Union County, Tennessee, decades before I was born. Every day after school I used to listen to those records in his workshop and try to play along on yard sale instruments he’d find. The first time it really clicked and I could keep up with one of those bluegrass records, I was obviously too young to know then, but I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.

How often do you hide behind a character in a song or use “you” when it’s actually “me”?

Often. I build characters based on people I know, have met, or parts of my own personality and experiences. It took me a long time to realize that last part, but now that I know, I use it as a way to explore parts of myself I otherwise wouldn’t be brave enough to write about.

What other art forms — literature, film, dance, painting, etc — inform your music?

I would say film has the largest impact on my music. I think of my songs kind of like short stories and they play out in my head like movie scenes. Certain directors have informed the way some of these scenes play out, and the filters and angles by which I view them. Martin Scorsese, The Coen brothers, Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson to name a few.

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

One of my favorite parts of touring is trying the local dishes in all the places I visit. Nashville is a great food town and I have a whole itinerary of favorite spots I try to hit up every time I’m there. Fourteen-year-old me would be disappointed if I didn’t pick Jack White. He lives in Nashville, I hear we agree on where to get hot chicken in the town that invented it, and I’ve had countless near-miss encounters with him. So I pick the hot chicken basket with fries and coleslaw, extra pickles and a lukewarm Sprite with Jack White at Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish!


What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

It was December 2018 and I had just released “Working Girl” and “Canyon” in anticipation of my debut record, Wish You Were Here. I had played to fairly large crowds as a lead guitarist for other bands, but I had never played my songs live to more than about 150 people at a time and I definitely had never experienced the type of “buzz” surrounding my career prior to that point. I had a string of four preternatural shows booked that, in short, made me believe all the hard work of the previous decade was going to pay off, and instilled a confidence in me that I hadn’t had previously.

The first show was my first time playing a theater at the Kessler Theater in my hometown of Dallas, Texas. The second show was my first time opening for Colter Wall, and my first time playing solo at the Granada Theater. The third show was my first time playing the Tower Theater in OKC, opening for Colter. The last show was my first time opening for American Aquarium, and my first time at Cain’s Ballroom. Each show escalated rapidly in magnitude and capacity, and I’ll never forget how amazing and surreal it all felt.

I’m going to focus on the second show briefly. At that time, I had seen close to 100 shows at the Granada Theater, and it had been a staple in my East Dallas community for years. Spotify had just reminded me that Colter Wall and Paul Cauthen were my most listened to artists of 2018, and when I looked out into the crowd that night it seemed like I saw the face of every person who ever cared about me all in one place, singing along to my songs.

My favorite memory of being on stage actually happened right after I walked off it. I pushed my way through the heavy curtain, and what was in the tunnel waiting for me was truly unbelievable: Colter Wall, Paul Cauthen, Vincent Neil Emerson, Matt Hillyer (Eleven Hundred Springs), Summer Dean, Simon Flory, Jacob Metcalf, and others filled the hallway. They had all been watching me close the set through the curtain, and were there to congratulate me when I was done. That was one of the most heartwarming, and reassuring moments of my career and life.

Photo credit: Chad Windham

MIXTAPE: Ruen Brothers’ Music & Film

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We decided to choose the theme of music and film because, for us, it’s two art forms that go so perfectly hand in hand. Film has always helped inspire our writing and the mood of our songs. A lot of nights have been spent playing our demos alongside our favorite movie trailers. Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, the Coen brothers, Wim Wenders, and Martin Scorsese have all been big influences on us, so we thought it fitting to create a playlist of music and film. If you dig the music and haven’t yet seen the films, you won’t be disappointed with any of the below. – Ruen Brothers

Chuck Berry – “You Never Can Tell”

Growing up, Chuck Berry was a big inspiration to us. He was one of the first musicians we were introduced to by our father. We performed many of Chuck’s hits at the working men’s clubs and pubs week in, week out. We still play a Berry number or two at some of our shows. We are huge Quentin Tarantino fans – the Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega dance to “You Never Can Tell” is really cool.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – “Red Right Hand”

In our opinion, a haunting Western masterpiece. The song is used ironically as Jim Carrey’s character, Lloyd (from Dumb and Dumber), wanders the streets, sporting a ten-gallon hat and buying junk items, gets robbed by ‘a sweet old lady on a motorized cart…’.

The Statler Brothers – “Flowers on the Wall”

Another brilliant song from Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Bruce and Marcellus W coming to a head at the traffic lights. The song offsets the tension between the two characters–it’s comedic and cool. There’s juxtaposition there. It’s a great song and one that we play on all of our American tour journeys.

Walter Egan – “Magnet & Steel”

From Egan’s second album, produced by Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, and featured in the Paul Thomas Anderson movie Boogie Nights. A very smooth song, fitting of young Mark Wahlberg’s character Dirk Diggler and his quest to bring a more artistic side to the world of porn.

Al Green – “Tired of Being Alone”

One of Henry’s all-time favorite songs. Powerful music when paired with the death of Chris Tucker’s character Skip from the Hughes brothers’ Dead Presidents. SPOILER ALERT — Skip is found dead, syringe in arm, “Tired of Being Alone” playing out live on the TV in front of him. It’s haunting and tragic, much like the situation the characters find themselves in towards the end of the movie.

Talking Heads – “This Must Be the Place”

Brilliantly crafted, timeless and classic. It helps portray Bud Fox’s love for material possessions as he buys his first home in Oliver Stone’s movie, Wall Street. This Talking Heads song introduced us to the band; a great rhythm and fantastic lyrics.

Danny Elfman – “Storytime”

As beautiful and enchanting as the picture and story of Edward Scissorhands itself. A piece of music to get lost in while crammed in a subway car in the tunnels of NYC.

Harry Nilsson – “Without You”

As Lester and Ginger plot their escape in Scorsese’s Casino, the crescendoing vocals of Nilsson’s “Without You” hearken as the situation becomes manic and crazed. For us, this is one of Nilsson’s best works and one of the most powerful love songs ever written.

The Delfonics – “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”

The song behind Tarantino’s classic Jackie Brown – the perfect portrayal of Max’s love for Jackie. From the French horn opening and twinkling glockenspiel to the soaring strings, beautiful melody line and smooth harmonies, The Delfonics deliver a beautiful, timeless love song.

Ry Cooder – “Paris, Texas”

Ry Cooder’s Western-drenched instrumental soundtrack to Wim Wenders’ classic film Paris, Texas – probably one of our favorite films of all time. We play many demos alongside the muted trailer of this movie to see if we are hitting the pocket with the mood and tone. The title track is haunting, lonesome and longing, going hand in hand with Travis’ journey throughout the film. Another great one for a late night road trip through Texas.

Roy Orbison – “There Won’t Be Many Coming Home”

Seeing Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight in 70mm while living in London was brilliant. This Roy Orbison song played as the credits rolled. A lesser known song of his, previously heard in The Fastest Guitar Alive. Love it.

Photo credit: Jacob Blickenstaff