Brandon Scott (Smith) wrote, recorded and produced his first solo album, North Country, during the quarantine. He is known for playing with Climbing Stars and Grey Tide and is involved in other ongoing collaborations. We sat down and talked about how this bass and guitar player wrote an entire album on his own. He composed music and was playing slide on it. He had about half an album. So he decided to take the time to “deliberately write more songs. If I enjoy it that’s what it’s for. Music for the purpose of pleasing others is always a let down,” he explained. “Having toured and been through that, I did this for me.” He found the lyrics, played multiple instruments and mastered it all at his home studio. He ended up with eight tracks. Here’s his story.
“I listened to a ton of Allman Brothers. I was looking for a way to challenge myself with slide. Warren Haynes and the Railroad Earth collaboration was especially inspiring. I try to start with what feels rustic and rootsy and add to it. I use Nashville tuning – up an octave. I’d sing all these songs I wrote to my kids at night. My daughter started playing keys and inspired me to use piano.”
This is a different genre for the rock musician. Writing lyrics and pairing them with a stripped down country feel brought forth new challenges. “I wrote about real stuff, relationships and being a father etc. I wanted to attack this genre that is historically disrespectful. I looked to Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton who are more lyrically driven. This album’s theme is honesty. It’s about things I’m uncomfortable with in my life or out in the world.” He quoted a saying, “If you tell the truth then you’ll always rhyme.”
“The American Dream took me awhile to figure out what the song was about. It was the end of last year with racial uprising, kids in cages… the commonality is white men and their role of abusing power in society. It’s systemic, a culture problem. I want to stop bullying, oppression and small mindedness. I can fight it more internally. You have to challenge people. But I need to keep myself and my family safe. Tom York, Jason Isbell and Bob Dylan are writers who make an impact and share messages with their songs. People listen to the lyrics and voice first and that was what I had the least experience with. But music is meant to challenge you. Daughter Don’t Behave and American Dream have the strongest messages … I asked myself are you prepared to say this and be judged for it? If not, scrap it because then it’s disingenuous. I was exposing myself on so many levels. I’m a born critic of melodies, composition, lyrics… can I put myself under that same microscope?”
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