Trey Cutrell has been an important player in the music scene for some time now. Between his efforts in both Palominos and his latest project, My Old Ways, Trey has had the opportunity to grace many stages in the city and around the nation. Ghost of Pop 8 will feature a performance from My Old Ways.
Trey Cutrell has been an important player in the music scene for some time now. Between his efforts in both Palominos and his latest project, My Old Ways, Trey has had the opportunity to grace many stages in the city and around the nation. Ghost of Pop 8 will feature a performance from My Old Ways. Every performance from this band is special because it involved bridging the gap between Birmingham, AL (his current residence) and Richmond, VA (where most of his other band members currently reside). I had a few questions for Trey about My Old Ways, songwriting, and life in general. Check it out…
My Old Ways formed in a staggered growth, right? Duo, recordings, the name came a little later, etc. Tell us about the very first moment that the idea of this band popped into your head.
After my old band Palominos had called it quits I wrote a few songs. I saw Curtis Patton (David Shultz and the Skyline) one night. I always loved Curtis’ playing style. After the show we had a conversation about minimalism in music. I told him I wanted to be in a band where playing your instrument was a part time job. I asked him if he would like to get together and help me work [on] my songs. “One condition,” he said. “I only want to play my pedal steel.” Those may have been the sweetest words ever spoken to me. That was the moment I thought we could make something of it.
I’ve heard that inspiration sets in at a pretty early stage. There’s a great vibe to this set of songs–a departure from the more rowdy Palominos tunes, but the vibe still has a classic American sound. What was the first song that you heard that made you want to take a stab at songwriting?
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson. It’s the first song I learned how to play. To me you could replace “The Star Spangled Banner” with Willie Nelson singing just about anything.
Let’s say time and money is not a factor–what’s one other instrument you would add to your band, and who would be the player?
[Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers guitarist] Mike Campbell, hands down. He never gets it wrong.
Long distance is tough. However, everything has its pros and cons. What’s the biggest pro about the long distance relationship with your band?
The only pro that I can think of is that we (band members) don’t really have a chance to take one another for granted. We appreciate what each of us do, because we don’t get to do it as often as we’d like.
You’ve graced many a Ghost of Pop in the years past; any specific memories that jump out from the past shows?
The final Prabir and the Substitutes show was very special to me. I had the privilege to share the stage and a drink or two with them on many a night. All great guys. All great musicians.
Aww shucks, Trey.
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My Old Ways from Todd Raviotta on Vimeo.
My Old Ways will be playing Ghost Of Pop 8 on Dec 8th, along with a bevy of other musicians from around town and beyond at Gallery 5. For more information, check out http://www.facebook.com/events/545749425438678/
