BY LESLEY HASTINGS
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology (aka Zoom!) I had the chance to speak to Carly Pearce a couple of weeks ago in the run up to her album release.
“Honest Woman” (Blue Highway Records) is the fifth studio album from the multi-award winning Kentucky native, and even before I was privy to the project in its entirety ahead of release day next Friday, 28th August, the tracks already available indicated to me that it would see Carly tapping into her classic country roots sonically, lyrically and thematically more than ever before.
10 minutes was never going to be enough to discuss the 16 tracks in depth but as always Carly was a total pleasure to chat to, and amazingly she remembered me from our previous interviews (for good reasons I hope!).
I began by saying how the album had totally blown me away to which Carly reacted
(coyly!) “Aw…..”
And if I had to very briefly summarise it I’d describe it as a ‘deep dive into what has shaped Carly into the woman and artist she is today ….’
“I think that’s pretty great! It’s perfect!”
Having established we were on the same wavelength I mentioned that it was great to see that Carly was once again co-producer, working this second time alongside her longtime collaborator/co-writer Ben West (they co-wrote her moving tribute to her dear friend and producer Busbee, “Show Me Around”). How was the experience for her this time?
“I think a producer relationship is very personal, and that Ben and I speak the same language. We’ve known each other a really long time, he understands sonically what I want and is willing to go the extra mile, spend the extra hours, chase down something. It was my favourite experience with a producer I’ve ever had. What’s funny is that I was actually introduced to him about ten years ago by Busbee …..”
Oh so it’s like a full circle thing!
“Yes it really is”
I’d noticed that of the album’s sixteen tracks there was a 50/50 split between outside cuts and those Carly co-wrote
“Oh I didn’t know that!”
Well I hope I’ve done my maths correctly! But anyway, as a hugely talented writer herself, when Carly has a song pitched to her what does it need to do to her or bring to the table, to make her think ‘ I’ve got to have this one’?
“It’s pretty crazy that half are outside cuts as I’m so particular about what outside songs I want to record! I think a song has to suit my particular voice, I have a very distinct melodic sense …. you know it’s one of my songs by the way I sing it. And from a writing standpoint I dissect every single lyric! A lot of songs I’ll be in, in, in, and then it gets to the hook and I’m like ‘nope’, it just doesn’t do it for me.”
But these songs all felt that they were a part of my story. I don’t have an ego that says someone could write a better song about it than I could, and I found that in these songs. As somebody who’s made five albums, and along with the touring and all those things, you don’t write all of the songs . I think about the artists I’ve always loved and they didn’t write really any of them. I think that’s a lost art of our town. You don’t need to write every song, there’s a lot of really great songs and great songwriters here”.
Were any of the outside cuts in Carly’s back pocket, maybe not a fit for previous albums but ones she knew she’d want to record at some point? Or we’re all picked specifically for “Honest Woman“?
“I don’t really hold on to songs. I feel if it doesn’t make my album in that moment then it probably won’t make it at all because every album is so different. So they were all new to the story”.
Looking at the co-writes Carly contributed to the album, were there any particular subjects she tackled that were hard for her to open up about with her co-writers?
“Ha yeah would it be me if there wasn’t a lot of openness? I think you see a lot of the same people on this record. I write with my friends. I think there are probably four writers on there more than any. I was really going through it making this album, in an identity sense, trying to find my place in music, being in my mid thirties and life looking kind of different, I was on a journey while I was making this album. Trying to figure out what does it all mean. And I could have never written these songs with other people. My three favourite songs were written with the same people and they all came from a beach trip ”
And those songs are?
“‘Same Circus’, ‘ Happy For Myself’ and ‘ He Don’t Like My Dogs’ “.
Interestingly all very different types of songs….
“Yes!”
I mentioned as a fellow dog owner (like Carly, all my kids have four paws) that the final one there leapt out at me straight away when I looked at the track listing! One of the more lighthearted tracks on the album, I said I was confident it will resonate with many fans. And I was lucky enough to be at Highways Festival in May where Carly performed ‘Same Circus’ which was an immediate gut punch of a song ….. as is “Happy For Myself” which was released recently
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1hqsTI1gaE
While we have seen “fun, sassy Carly” and “intense Carly” on albums before, this time round there’s another side to her on show and that is “dark Carly”. Wait til you hear the tracks “Daisy” and “WWJD” and you’ll see what I mean….what could she tell me about those ?
“Ha yes, “Murder Carly”! There’s a few murder songs on the album, again trying to open up more of what I am to people. Not that I’m going to kill somebody!! But my lineage … I come from a long line of tough women, especially on the Pearce side of my family. And there’s my Kentucky roots …. when you think of Kentucky there’s a bit of the craziness to our side of the family. I had a bit of fun getting to tell these stories! It’s an empowering thing as a woman …. if you’re going to cheat or beat me up I might kill you!”
I said those two tracks are among my favourites …. storytelling songs, which is a large part what draws me and many other people to the country genre .
“Yeah, I wanted to tell a few stories in the third person, some of my favourite songs are story songs like that.”
I was almost out of time but needed to quickly ask about the Stateside “Honest Woman: Up Close” tour which sees Carly playing two nights per city in smaller venues than previously…..is this a format she plans to follow when (not if!) the tour comes across the pond?
(laughing) “I like the ‘when’!
No, not necessarily, but I want to bring this music!! Obviously I couldn’t wait and did bring a little of it over earlier this year. You guys know I love you over there. And I’ll be returning in December to honour Bob….
(of course there’s only one Bob….the legend that is Bob Harris)
I said I was going to mention that, he’s been a big supporter of Carly from the get go playing “Every Little Thing” on his country radio show . What an honour to be part of that show .
Carly is stepping onto the Opry stage the day after the album drops …. what better place to celebrate its release…
“Yes, that will be fun!”
Finally I wanted to ask which songs she is most looking forward to performing live with her band ?
“I think my band will tell you this is the most uptempo music they’ve ever gotten from me ! I think ‘He Don’t Like My Dogs’ and ‘Leave My Heart Alone’ will be a lot of fun. And ‘Daisy’ ….. they’ve been wanting to know for the last year when they can play these songs!”
Not long to wait now.
I finished off wishing Carly all the best for the album release and tour, saying I hope to see her soon and asking her to give Johnny & June my love.
Ah they are great! Thanks Lesley.
Pre-save /order ” Honest Woman ” and find all her tour dates here –
Images courtesy of Lesley Hastings