Attempting to find the solace and quiet on Athens, GA based psych/alt/country band Dead Confederate releases is like trying to find the loudness in Elliot Smith; it’s there if you dig deep, but otherwise you just miss it. Lucky for Dead Confederate’s front-man T. Hardy Morris, he’s got help in letting out his introspective soft side – a solo career.
What many have been calling a “calming beauty” is displayed on Audition Tapes, the debut solo album from Hardy (released July 30th via Dangerbird). Recorded at Playground Sound studios with Cosmic Thug production team Justin Collins and Adam Landry, the sessions behind Audition Tapes came to be with the help of a variety of Morris’ talented circle of friends who “dropped by” to lend a hand, including Delta Spirit’s Matt Vasquez, Black Lips/Diamond Rugs guitarst Ian Saint Pe, drummer Julian Dorio (The Whigs), steel guitarist Matt “Pistol” Stossel, and keyboardist Thayer Serrano. Just listen to the title track and you’ll be a fooled not to think this was an After the Gold Rush outtake.
Ever ambitious about the projects he undertakes, in a nod to the nostalgic tinge running through Audition Tapes Morris and filmmaker/photographer Jason Thrasher have traveled to 10 historic sites throughout Georgia to film live performance “takeaway” videos of each song on the record. Although Hardy also has another ongoing project with Diamond Rugs featuring members of Deer Tick, Black Lips and Los Lobos, this artist is quite enthusiastic about exploring his mellower side as he explains via interview…
Audition Tapes represents a mellower affair for you than your previous work with Dead Confederate. In many ways its almost similar to Neil Young’s On the Beach verse his Crazy Horse work (Zuma). What does working solo provide for you musically that you can’t necessarily achieve with Dead Confederate?
I had always thought about doing a solo album but never took it too seriously. I don’t like to force things and I knew it would happen eventually when it was time. I kind of fell in love with the studio where we had recorded the Diamond Rugs album and I had some down-time, so I went back to Nashville and made the album there. I guess with the solo stuff I’m just able to be extra mellow and can bring in the country flavors and all without feeling like I’m betraying the Dead Confederate ethos of volume and chaos and darkness. The solo stuff is more about the song and DC is more about the sound and sonic experience.
You’ve described Audition Tapes as a “sit-down” record. What records from your listening past would you also categorize as “sit-down” and what do you hope the listener to get out of this record?
Well, I discovered that two albums I was listening to a lot around the time I made mine were considered these artists’ worst albums.. Kris Kristofferson’s BorderLord and Leonard Cohen’s Death of a Ladies Man.
Both albums were panned when they were initially released, but I found them to be my favorite stuff from both those songwriters. They contain some of their most beautiful songs, but there are also these tongue-in-cheek, who cares moments that are really great too. I wanted my record to be like that. Serious but not too serious.
Can you talk about the songs on the album some? I found it interesting you choose ten songs which is kind of a classic album way of presenting – how many songs did you consider and why these ten?
Ten songs felt right. That’s about an album length to me. We did a couple others, but these ten had the theme.
What was the inspiration behind the title track? It’s not often that an artist talks about something as trying as an audition whether it’s autobiographical or fictional…
“Audition Tapes” is a song about me and my best friend growing up and how that time in your life (middle school, early high school) stays with you and is a big part of finding yourself. That’s the time in life when you either overcome your fears or don’t, I think. If you’re scared of life at 15, you’ll probably be timid for the rest of it. If you’re fearless at 15, you’re good to go…
What songs do you feel are most representative of you as a solo artist and if you had to choose one to best represent you and the album – what track would it be?
I think “Audition Tapes” is a good representation of me and that solo-side..I guess that’s why it’s the title track.
How would you describe yourself as a guitarist and what style do you most enjoy playing? Do you see yourself ever reinventing your guitar sound or taking on new instruments live?
I’m very much a rhythm guitarist. I always have been and that’s what I enjoy playing. The rhythm gives the song the vibe. It’s everything. Well, that and pedal steel.. that’s some vibey shit too..
I have written a few songs lately on a bazukie that my mom brought back from Ireland. It’s like a hybrid of a mandolin and guitar and sounds really cool.
Dead Confederate released In The Marrow just last April – why follow up so soon with a solo album and did having both come out so soon provide a creative tug of war for you in terms of where to put your energy?
I was kind of making both at the same time. Like I said, I just had to do the solo album when I could, so it took a few trips back to Nashville. The label that is putting out my album mentioned a summer release, and I didn’t want it to be too close to the In the Marrow release, but not too far off either. These days the more you put out the better I guess.
What challenges are there in putting energy into both a band (Dead Confederate), side projects (Diamond Rugs) and a solo career?
Well lucky for me it really not that tough at all. I write a lot of songs so it’s great to have a place for them all. It’s a blessing, not a struggle. I have the almighty Dead Confederate when I want to be loud and over-the-top, Diamond Rugs when I want to have a good time and the solo outlet for the more personal / country stuff… So it’s perfect really..
Are there any musicians with a band and solo career that you feel are doing it with integrity and spirit and you hope to mirror in some way?
Well, you kind of hit the nail on the head with your first question when you mentioned Neil vs. Neil & Crazy Horse..
You’ve collaborated with many diverse and talented artists in the last few years. What artist has taught you the most musically and in reverse what artist (s) have you taught the most musically?
I learn a lot from all of them and I am very lucky to be around all the great songwriters I call my friends. I will also say that Adam Landry & Justin Collins (who produced my album and Diamond Rugs) have been awesome to be around. Watching them get the best out of artists is pretty inspiring and makes you see what producing really is all about. It’s an art for sure.
With all due respect, it’s been agreed by many that Dead Confederate is unfairly underrated and should be more nationally recognized due to its talent and live stage energy. Why do you think the band has still has just held onto its niche following and not burst upon bigger stages?
There’s no formula to this biz, ya know. We have written and recorded what we wanted, played half the world with our heroes and had a ball doing it. That’s our job; to be Dead Confederate. I try not to get too involved in the business side and the schemes and popularity contest and all that. That’s not my role.
I started playing rock and roll to make the noise I want to make and that’s what I’ve done and continue to do, so I’m happy!
