Philadelphia’s folk-rock outfit Strand Of Oaks has been bouncing around in the music world for a while now with the reputation of a solid act, b
Philadelphia’s folk-rock outfit Strand Of Oaks has been bouncing around in the music world for a while now with the reputation of a solid act, but one not really stunning people or making headlines. This all changed in 2014 though with the release of HEAL, a record that instantly resonated with the music world in way like nothing else in recent memory. Unbridled and limitless at times, the record was a risky move, something plenty of other artists have been criticized for. But the genuine nature of each song comes through in a way that shuts down any preconceived notion of a band’s “breakout” work. Despite its somber nature, the record is an affable trip down the musical spectrum that is as cathartic as it is inventive, making it easy to see why it’s so acclaimed.
When talking to the man behind the band, Timothy Showalter, it’s quickly apparent that he fits the idea of everyone’s ideal frontman. Humble, well-spoken, candid, and, above all else, authentic – he’s what everyone wants. His astounding charm comes through instantly the first time he opens his mouth and while that mouth doesn’t ever seem to stop moving, he never even comes close to putting his foot in his mouth. Instead, he opens up more and more with poignant reflections on his vulnerable nature, making him even more endearing than his captivating music already has.
Strand Of Oaks return to Richmond this Sunday night at Strange Matter for a show that may just have a bit more spirit and aplomb than the intimate venue is used to. On top of Sholwater’s dedication to making each show worth people’s money and time, he’s also a huge fan of Richmond. He’ll gush to you forever about the town’s virtue and after seeing the lofty pedestal he puts Richmond on, it makes you wonder just what type of energy he’s going to bring to Sunday’s show.
How’s it going?
Good, just running around. We recently shipped off to…well, everywhere. I got my two black t-shirts and boots so I’m ready to live out of a bag for a while.
What’s this leg of touring been like?
This leg started by going to Sasquatch in Seattle and then taking a red-eye directly from there to London to do Primavera and some other stuff. Then we flew back to do the Governor’s Ball and are getting ready to do Bonnaroo [today] for a quick run and then it’s Richmond this weekend.
Do you get to see home at all in Philadelphia?
We do see home bits and pieces, but it’s more like a hotel at this point. You almost have to change your mindset to be like roadman. Now, I’m roadman officially and this is the best way to function. I know it’s going to sound corny and like a guitar center clip, but just playing music honestly feels like home now. When I get to play guitar and hang with people and have people at my shows, that’s the one time in my life when it all makes sense. Everything else – bills, relationships, friendships, family – I mess it all up constantly and probably too much. That’s why I love touring because this is the time where everything is right.
Because you’re so at home on stage, do you ever feel anxious or antsy before a show? Like you just want to get up there as quickly as possible?
I view it as probably the same way my brothers viewed a football game before they played. There’s that motivating force of “let’s do this” and “let’s take this.” I’m of the mindset where if there are five people or thousands at a giant festival, it’s the same show. Somebody paid money to see this show. The only time I’m hard on myself is when I don’t feel it or I’m not present in whatever the show is because it’s not worth it to anyone. It’s a waste of everyone’s time – my band, the venue, and the fans. I lose my voice typically after the first show of a tour. I probably give too much, but it’s the only way I know how to do it. It used to be this heavy, mysterious, complicated thing of playing music but it’s become simplified the more I’ve done it. It’s this moment of joy even though there are sad songs. There’s that part of seeing live music that should be the best part of somebody’s day and I don’t always succeed, but I want to do whatever I can to provide that every night. If not, I’m not appreciating the life I get to live.
In regards to losing your voice, is there anything you’ve learned not to do in order to keep it a bit longer?
Not drink whiskey! Especially the extent I used to. The worse thing I do now is that I can’t stop talking. It’s not a problem because I love connecting with people. I won’t lose my voice on stage, but from jumping off the stage and hanging with everyone until the venue closes. It’s the best thing, but I am learning to limit myself a little. I’m the guy who by the end of the night is saying, “We’re building a cabin together! This is going to be amazing. Let’s start a record shop!” I’m inherently a lonely person and being in a situation where there’s a room of likeminded people, I get pretty damn excited.
Since you’re a lonely person, do you think that’s why you connect with being on stage so much because it’s not a lonely place in any sense?
Yes, but it did use to be lonely for me because I didn’t feel comfortable on there and I was scared and had stage fright. Once I got over that hump of “we’re here together” and there’s no difference between me and the people there, or me and the band, or me and the sound guy, I just realized it’s all this moving unit with a goal of creating a good evening together. It’s crazy to think how much people care. I’m doing something well enough where people like you take time out of your day to interview me or shows want to book my band. That’s pretty amazing.
Switching gears, for your last record HEAL, do you think there’s a reason that it resonated so well with the music community and a lot more than your previous works?
I’ve thought about that actually and I don’t think this is a throwaway answer, but I just did what I wanted. I made the record I always wanted to make, but was afraid to make. I finally stopped caring if people liked it or stopped worrying if it was going to be received well or not. I just made it. This was my shot and I just had to make it. Luckily, I think people who are listeners, critics, and like music, you can never underestimate how well they can perceive bullshit. They really can. I hear records too where it’s just the thought of “man, it doesn’t feel like they’re in it.” I think the reaction of people hearing this was that this guy sounds like he’s having a good time in the studio and is writing songs he wants to.” It was a whole mind shift for how I want to do the rest of my career. It’s how I want to make all my records now.
In regards to perceiving bullshit, what kind of artists stand out as extremely genuine to you?
There’s so many to mention. My head is just filled with records constantly. If you think about the legends though, you go to Neil Young. He’s kind of my guide point. If he didn’t want to do something, he didn’t. He could have made Harvest fifty more times and been a gazillionaire, but he changed it up and followed his heart. Sometimes to success and sometimes not, but he just went for it. Those are the artists and bands I’m always attracted to. It’s always hard for me to list off bands now because there are so many. I consume musically obsessively and I’m always finding something new. If we did another interview five minutes after this one, I’d probably have four more bands I’d be recommending strongly.
Now, back to HEAL, where you nervous to open the record up with “Goshen ’97” considering just how different the song is compared to the rest of the album?
I think the opposite. If it was anywhere else, it wouldn’t have made sense. I think “Goshen ’97” was just a purge of everything. A purge of all the records and shows I’ve done before. I just had to do a reset and change this whole thing up. Blow the doors off and start big. I wanted to make a big song it started with my hero J Mascis playing on the song. It was all intentional. The track listing was crucial for this record because if it would have changed, it would have been a totally different element or beast altogether.
Was there any apprehension from releasing the song as the single from the record since people might get the wrong impression of what the rest of the album was going to be?
Well, I think I wanted to release it because I loved the song, but I always viewed it as being all over the map. There’s a ton of different styles of music in it, but that’s what HEAL was. There’s going to be a weird New Order song and a Neil Young barnburner song and a power pop song. It was my own personal mixtape. This is the music I liked listening to and I’m just going to make a record of a mixtape I’d love to hear if I was on a long drive or if I was smoking good weed. This is where I wanted to go with it.
Have you started working on the follow-up?
I’m deep into the follow-up and I’m the opposite of nervous. I’m psyched because I’m using everything I learned from making HEAL, but also, this is the first time where I’ve made a record thinking about how fun it is to play songs live with a full band and I’m just ready to make it. It’s coming together, but if there’s anything I can say about the next one, it’s that I want it to be as cathartic as HEAL, but not as based around sad bastard stuff. I want it to be based around powerful emotions that are positive as opposed to the negative parts of your life.
So you’re coming back to Richmond this weekend…
I’m in Richmond all the time, man. I love it there. I get all my tattoos done in Richmond. I go to my friend Josh Stephens. His place is called Hold It Down on Gosehn Street, right near The Camel. Dude, I’m a Deep Groove record junkie too. I have bought my favorite stuff there. [Owner] Jay [Leavitt] is just incredible. It’s one of my favorite record stores in the country. It’s not the biggest in the world, but its selection is better than a record store ten times its size. Jay just has the best taste, at least for me. I end up thinking a lot that he buys records just for me. I’ve hung with Jay a few times because we’re both big fans of Drive-By Truckers and he knows all those dudes and I’ve also been hanging with Patterson lately. I like Richmond a lot man. I view it mostly as place for my dude vacation. If I get time off, I just drive down there by myself, get some tattoos, hang out with my boys, and buy some records. It’s just the best.
Are you planning on getting any new tattoos while you’re down here this weekend?
We potentially might be having an after party tattoo thing. I only get tattooed by Josh. We made that pact a long time ago, like a brother pact. I don’t go on the road and get different tattoos from different artists. It’s just Josh to hold it down for me. Hopefully, I get time to get something because I need some new work. I have so many ideas and I can’t wait to go over them with him when I’m in town. I just can’t wait to be back in Richmond.
Strand Of Oaks returns to Richmomd this Sunday at Strange Matter for a late show starting at 9:00 PM alongside Richmond’s own Avers. For more information on the show and where to buy tickets, click here.
