Thomas Hinds’ new full-length album Where Do We Go From Here is the singer-songwriter’s triumphant return to music after taking some time away from his craft and the road to focus on being a father. Now Hinds is back with a new catalog of tracks about the ebb and flow of a life lived. Moving from the high desert plains of New Mexico to northern Georgia, Hinds’ brand of blue-based Americana reflects on the titular question of his newest release.
Where Do We Go From Here was recorded at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL with engineer Spencer Coats, Brian Emmons with B. Radical Productions, and a host of studio musicians. Thomas Hinds had twelve tracks just waiting to take shape and in April 2022, they did.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of the album ahead of its official release on June 30th. Hinds sums up this work of poignant and personal folk-rock tunes: “Where Do We Go From Here is the culmination of the life of a man who laid his dreams to rest so he could raise a family and once they were on their own started a journey…back to resurrecting the dream, with 30 years of living, loving, and finding himself, behind every word.”
The first track, “Burning Free” introduces the listener to a light, airy tone. Roomy piano, organ, and guitars. Shakers and brushed drums. It’s a killer mix as Hinds’ twangy baritone comes in with the introductory lines /Welcome to the machine/ pleasant smiles and mescaline/ handing out broken dreams/they’re out burning free/. The guitars and backing vocals perfectly accompany Hinds’ voice.
In “The Odds” Hinds introduces a gorgeous acoustic guitar that blends perfectly with the piano. It’s a slow burn that builds into a full ensemble piece showcasing all the players. “Burnout” is an upbeat southern blues rocker. Notes of Clapton and Allman Brothers shine through this one.
The tender ballad “Bonfire Brigade” follows with its gentle pedal steel guitar to accompany a story of grief and healing /She broke her back/ gave her heart/ it’s moments like these/ find comfort in the dark/. One standout is the southern groove “4:15” which picks things up and brings in a little funk reminiscent of Little Feat or even a more laid-back Dr. John.
The closing and titular track “Where Do We Go From Here” has a distinctly Appalachian folk feel that could work just as well with a mountain dulcimer as it does with acoustic guitar. The deep bass provides a through line as Hinds asks that all-important question.
Listen to the album and read our conversation with Thomas Hinds below…
How did becoming a dad affect you as a songwriter and as a performer?
Becoming a father really changed the depth or perception for me when it came to writing. Looking at the world through the lens of how I can help make this world a better place for my kids and their kids. We all try to do the best we can with what opportunities we are given but in your twenties it is easy to lose focus on the bigger picture and it caused me to put music away for nearly thirteen years.
Place holds a lot of weight in your songs and history as a musician. Starting out in the desert, moving to Georgia, and then kicking around and recording in Muscle Shoals. How do these places factor into your songs?
I absolutely agree with the fact that the setting dictates your view and dialogue in artful expression. To me travel has as much influence as where your roots are based. I always felt that the high plains desert really comes through on the first few projects. There is a jagged beauty in the scenes painted in those songs. Now with the new album Where Do We Go From Here, I really feel the travel I have been doing and all of the changes I have been through over the last six years, has molded my landscape into a whole new level and depth. The way Muscle Shoals came about and how those musicians brought the sounds and dynamics I had always heard in my head into reality. This collection of songs gives a great view into a part of me I wasn’t sure would ever truly be heard.
You’re very much influenced by blues and Americana. Who are some of your all time favorite artists in these genres?
When asked what my sound is I usually say blues based Americana. Most people can get a quicker view before even hearing me. In my teen years I had a collection of the Blues Heritage CDs and I listened to them over and over in my bedroom, trying to belt them out with as much conviction as a fourteen year old could muster, with zero amount of life experience. My influences ranged from U2 to Counting Crows to Lyle Lovett to Chris Whitley. I grew up hearing 70s country as a kid and then a lot of modern folk i.e. Colvin, Vega, Larkin, Cockburn, Gorka in my twenties. I had a sabbatical from music while raising kids and riding out the future demise of my marriage and then discovered Patty Griffin, anything Buddy Miller was involved in, as well as the journey Robert Plant took into the Americana path. I felt like all the while I kept true to my own voice and sound, yet you could definitely hear what I was listening to.
What’s your writing process look like?
Writing has always been therapy to me. Most of the time I will be tinkering with a chord progression or picking pattern and a melody will start to take place. I follow the melody and as the gibberish starts I slowly find words coming together and a story start to unfold. I’ll get the first verse written and solidified, then the chorus usually reveals itself. After that it’s a matter of deciding where the story wants to go and following that path for the other verses. Bridges are usually where the heavy lifting begins for me. I like to keep the “middle eight” from being too cliche, or stagnant. Many times I don’t even worry about a bridge until I have honed the songs and fully come to accept the storyline.
So…where do we go from here?
Haha well for me it will be touring this album, putting a band together to represent the songs as well as possible. This was my second chance at achieving a dream I thought had burned to ashes decades ago but here I am with an album that I believe will stand up to anything else out there. Would love to get the experience of a full band out on the road, playing these songs or any of the others from the back catalog. I have been recording tracks for the follow up album as well but that is a story for another day. 😉
One Response
Love this and Thomas Hinds. Absolutely love this album so much. Well done, Mr. Hinds!