The Wood Brothers have carved out a space in the music industry that allows the inspiration to flow as it comes. Their latest album, Puff of Smoke, released August 1st, showcases their improvisational spirit at its purest.
“We love the creative challenge of making a new record and experimenting as much as possible,” says guitarist Oliver Wood, “avoiding things we did in the past only because we’ve already done them.”
He explains how even after two decades with The Wood Brothers, they still approach recording with a certain childlike excitement. Recorded at Nashville’s The Studio with engineer Brook Sutton, the creative process for Puff of Smoke was fully organic. Going into it, they didn’t know how the songs should be recorded, just that they were going to make an album.
“We’ve been really into using analog technology instead of digital,” Oliver continues. “So it really is a capture, you don’t polish it and change it much, you know, because you can’t.”
Oliver compares analog recording techniques to setting a limitation, such as a deadline, noting, “that’ll inspire you to get to work.” In the case of analog recording, this also means that whatever happens, happens, and it’s all caught on tape.
“A lot of songs are written from seeds that came from improvisations,” he says. “We might be backstage somewhere warming up and just jamming and improvising and having a musical conversation, and we get into something that sounds kind of inspired and cool and new, and we just record it on somebody’s phone. And that might be the seed for a song.”
Putting it to Tape
For the Wood Brothers, improvisation both plants the seeds and shapes their approach in the studio when they sit down to sort them. Several of the songs on Puff of Smoke were caught on tape the very first time the trio played them together.
“We’re like, how should we record this song? We’ve never even played it before. It’s just a concept and some words and some chords. So we make quick choices about instruments and tempos… and what’s the sound gonna be? Let’s try this boom. That spirit is what keeps it fun and exciting.”
This way, raw creativity is the driving force behind how the songs come together, without trying to process it through tons of filters and make it sound “perfect.”
“Relinquishing control of that idea of perfection, or the idea that you’re even in control, and trusting that if you just move forward and make choices and do stuff, your years of experience and your individual self will handle the rest,” Oliver explains. “Your subconscious is gonna do all the work.”
He compares it to being a basketball player, not thinking about much, just in the zone. Sometimes, you don’t even remember those moments, but it’s often where the best creative work reveals itself.
This philosophy applies just as much to living as it does to creative work. It’s easy to get bogged down in negativity and freeze, or try too hard and bludgeon your way clumsily through life. This sentiment is at the heart of Puff of Smoke, and can be heard both musically and lyrically, with themes of mindfulness and appreciation of life’s moments woven throughout.
Twenty Years of The Wood Brothers
As the Wood Brothers approach their 20th anniversary, Oliver reflects on the path the band has taken on their “Slow Rise (to the middle),” leading them to this fluid state of creative freedom.
“There’s a song on the record called ‘Slow Rise (to the middle),’ and it’s something we’ve appreciated. As opposed to a meteoric rise to the top, we’ve been at it for 20 years and we have just gradually every year grown our audience little by little.”
He explains how they started with a record deal, and later became an independent band. Labels are appreciated for their support but sometimes impose themselves creatively, in a way that affects the final result in a way that is not always positive.
“We’ve been able to decide exactly how we want our music to be and sound, and not have anybody tell us how it should be,” Oliver says. “That’s empowering, liberating, and I think it’s much better for the art of it.”
This leads to reflection on life itself, and more tie-ins to Puff of Smoke.
“As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned a lot about the benefits of thinking for yourself and not beating yourself up and not letting your fear of being judged or not paid even be a factor in the creativity. It’s like, we’re gonna make music that’s as weird as we want becaus that’s what we do.”
The trick is not to give a damn, as heard on “The Trick.”
“That’s how we can be our most authentic,” Oliver concludes. “So I guess the older you get the more you can learn to be more authentic and that includes not giving a damn.”
The Wood Brothers are currently on tour in support of the new album, including a stop at The Refinery in Charleston, SC this Friday, August 15th. See full tour dates at thewoodbros.com.