Feature: Brother Chunky Decodes ‘Dig Deeper’
How did you come up with the theme?
‘Dig Deeper’ came together quite naturally. I wrote each song individually and wasn't sure if they would form an album or be released as singles, but I realized all of the songs do follow a theme and it made sense to release an album. To me, that theme is "letting go of past negative influences and moving forward." Some of the songs are more dark and cathartic (Don't Care None) and others are more playful (The Best Man). I have been told that ‘Dig Deeper’ is my most cohesive album to date.
Was there any challenge that you encountered while making 'Dig Deeper?'
The main challenge was finding the right studio and people to create this album with. I knew this album needed an old-school organic vibe and I thought I would have to go to another state to find it. After talking to some other musicians I learned about Orchard Studio and the man behind it (Daniel Young). After visiting the studio and talking with Dan, I knew I had found the right place. Everything fell into place and ‘Dig Deeper’ was born 4 months later. It was a joy to make music with Daniel at Orchard Studio.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on 'Dig Deeper' and what makes them special to you?
“Get Thee Behind Me” - This song was born out of my efforts to learn an RL Burnside song (RL is one of my influences). I was not able to learn the exact rhythm and notes of his song, but I did come up with the basis for "Get Thee Behind Me." So this song is an ode to one of my heroes and the message is to put negative influences behind you.
“The Best Man” - I have been playing this song live for a few years and people respond well to it. It represents my playful and humorous side with an upbeat danceable groove. I knew this song had to have an Upright Bass groove behind it and David Baker absolutely nailed it. This song is all about putting smiles on faces.
“How Many Times” - This song is the newest one on the album and I wasn't sure it would make the cut because I thought people would think it was boring. Because I enjoyed playing it and the melody got stuck in my head, I decided to try it. After switching to an acoustic guitar and feeling how the groove came to life with the drummer (Keith Lambson) and bassist (David Baker), I started to love it. I kept hearing a slide guitar part in my head and thankfully the talented Dylan Schorer agreed to play on it. This is my favorite song on the album now.
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
Yes there was. I played in bands in my college days, but had quit performing live for some time. After the 9/11 attacks in NYC, I knew that things had changed. I felt that my best chance to be a positive influence in the world was to start making music again.
How do you approach collaborations with other musicians and maintain creative synergy?
I do tend to be a bit stubborn about my vision for a song, but I have learned if you are working with the right people, they can only make it better. For example, on "How Many Times," I thought the bassist and drummer could "play more." Both of them said, "no, this groove needs us to stay in the pocket for it to work." They were right and I'm glad I listened to them.