One of many stellar albums that will have flown below your radar this yr is Louis York’s sophomore mission Songs With Buddies. The Grammy-winning, Nashville-based group consists of Claude Kelly and Chuck Concord, and the brand new LP options an all-star lineup boasting a few of the most distinct voices in music. The spectacular options span totally different genres of music and embrace: Chris Daughtry, Lalah Hathaway, PJ Morton, Anthony Hamilton and extra.
It’s additionally price noting the distinctive music pedigree of Concord and Kelly. They’re bona fide business hitmakers, and collectively, they’ve lent their songwriting and manufacturing craftsmanship to international stars like Bruno Mars, Jazmine Sullivan, Fantasia, and Miley Cyrus. The duo is profitable, however simply because they gather skilled wins, doesn’t imply they don’t have unhealthy days. Now, it’s time to take a look at how they cope with them.
We caught up with the gifted duo to debate sustaining a constructive outlook within the music business and hold their creativity alive.
(Observe: The interview under was carried out over electronic mail)
Okayplayer: Are you able to inform us concerning the that means behind the title of your newest album,Songs with Buddies?
Chuck: The that means is definitely a mission as a result of we imagine that nice musicians and pals ought to get collectively and create good issues. Hopefully, you are feeling the love and respect for every collaborator on every tune.
How do you avoid the negativity you would possibly encounter on-line, on social media, in your day by day life, or throughout the music business?
Claude: Nice query. You must work onerous to encompass your self with individuals, issues and knowledge that uplift you. We work onerous to hearken to a whole lot of music, watch a whole lot of documentaries which are targeted on positivity and we avoid social media once we can. And we smoke slightly weed.
Are there any particular songs in your new album that tackle psychological wellness or have constructive themes for individuals going by robust instances?
Claude: The primary tune “Have a Little Gentle” speaks to individuals beginning their day without work in the suitable state of mind. “Alone a Lot” with Anthony Hamilton is a robust one too. On Tik Tok individuals determine what’s drugs and we’ve seen lots of people utilizing that tune to remind their family members that they aren’t alone. It’s turning into a psychological well being anthem. The final tune “Balloons” can be about uplifting your self and rising out of darkish areas.
The music business might be very tense — navigating the enterprise and inventive sides of it. How does Louis York deal with this difficult and troublesome steadiness?
Claude: We’re at all times on the seek for people who find themselves actual. We keep away from individuals who aren’t as much as the duty at hand as a result of issues get performed when persons are who they are saying they’re.
Chuck: We attempt to see the glass as half full and are desperate to work with people who find themselves honest. Additionally staying in your personal lane helps since you don’t have time to concentrate on the bullshit. You meet your tribe that means.
As each of you’ve superior and grown in your careers, what’s one thing you have performed to be extra constructive thinkers?
Chuck: I make it possible for we spend time with nature. Nature simply opens up your thoughts to being grounded once more as a result of music takes you to so many loopy locations.
Claude: I’d additionally say studying extra. Books are nice as a result of the restrictions are infinite. We’re usually comfortable individuals as a result of we make music for a residing and revel in music. We genuinely love what we do and what we create. We hardly ever argue as a result of we’re at all times one accord on music.
L to R: Chuck Concord, Claude Kelly.
Photograph by Laura Partain.
What’s your recommendation for folk who’ve issues coping with their very own emotions or always examine themselves to others?
Claude: It’s a lot simpler stated than performed. To be able to make it as a musician, it’s a must to ignore a whole lot of the restrictions, guidelines, and bins as a result of they’ll kill the creativity. You must block out that noise and concentrate on what you might be creating.
Do you’ve any recommendation for serving to pals getting by their psychological well being struggles?
Claude: When you’re going by psychological well being points there’s nothing higher than good pals.
Chuck was capable of pull me out of a really comfortable unfulfilled darkish house simply by encouragement and that’s one thing that typically a father or mother or a companion could not have been capable of assist with.
Lastly, why ought to everybody hearken to your new mission, and what constructive messages can they get from it?
Chuck: We have now a few of the greatest voices within the music business on one album. Every tune was crafted with a whole lot of care and intention. We wish each tune to talk to some a part of your life. Lastly, Claude and I are superior. We’re good at what we do. The musicianship is impeccable. We have now a whole lot of nice musicians on this mission.
