Tedeschi Trucks Band on New LP: ‘It Never Felt Like We Were Under the Gun’
It must be tough sometimes. You guys have a lot of people in your band, a lot of personalities.
Tedeschi: I end up mothering everybody. I can’t help it because I’m a mom. It’s a really good group of people. It’s one of those bands where everybody loves hanging out and it doesn’t matter if you’re a crew member or a band member. Everyone gets along great and that is not normal. Usually you’re dealing with egos and people who take things too seriously, but this band is unique and everybody is so excited to be there and it all just fits. Everyone works hard at trying to be respectful of each other.
Trucks: We love it. This year was probably the craziest year we’ve had. It was a lot of chaos from start to finish and we’re excited about getting the record out now. I think we’re all ready to hit it hard this year. I’m already resigned to be rolling all the way through 2016 — maybe take a deep breath in 2017 for a month or two
How did being between labels change the process of making this record?
Trucks: It never felt like we were under the gun. It never felt like we were pulling teeth. I remember one of the tunes, “Don’t Know What It Means” — it was after a day of recording and there were always big dinners where everybody in the band is cooking, usually from 9 p.m. on, just hanging out in the studio. So that night, everyone was a little boozed up and well fed and we went back into the studio. In the middle of the room, everyone crowded around a few old ribbon microphones and that group vocal became the outro with the clapping in “Don’t Know What It Means.” The song ended and everyone was supposed to stop but it just kept rolling and ended up being one of my favorite parts of the record. The whole record was fun that way.
How does that freedom change the music?
Trucks: Being able to focus on one thing makes such a difference. I have noticed just personally, my playing feels freer and I can go down the wormhole without having to tether myself. There’s something about being able to go all the way in and not looking over my shoulder and not having those nagging thoughts.
How did working with Tim Lefebvre change the album?
Tedeschi: Having him in the band for the past two years has been amazing. He makes all the difference because he really helps tie the group all together — you know, the whole core.
Trucks: Oteil Burbridge was in the band for the first few years and he’s obviously a monster, amazing player, but there was always a bit of a disconnect with what the band naturally needed to be and where his head was. We played with a lot of other great bass players between Burbridge and Lefebvre and they all had amazing qualities, but I remember the first show we did with Lefebvre and that was the sound we were looking for. His thinking is super progressive and he does avant-garde drum ‘n’ bass gigs and jazz gigs — he does much more of that than anything in this realm. He comes from a different place, which is refreshing. Also, when it’s time to play bass and strap on a four-string, he can dig in. It is about finding that sound that inspires the band and also serves it.