I wanted a record that punched all of those topics in the jaw, but also felt like I cut it on the fly – just hit record and roll with it.ĬN: How cathartic was the process of writing and recording this album?ĬC: I’m not a session regular, so recording studios intimidate the hell out of me. I absolutely love that record and it’s always been one of those albums that I can’t stop listening to the simplicity in it. Where did the inspiration come for this album?ĬC: I’ve always leaned towards writing darker songs and touching on more controversial topics, but this album was kinda born to be a loose concept album similar to Springsteen’s Nebraska. That really helps me get the visual aspect of the lyrics to where I think they need to be.ĬN: The tracks are very honest about difficult themes: addiction, depression and loneliness 3 that have become even more common in our society following the pandemic.
There’s a character, a setting, a mood, etc. As I’m writing, I tend to view my songs as little movies in my head. I listen to conversations, read commentary on various topics and themes, and just generally pay attention to what’s being said around me. I make notes in my phone or on a scratch pad (usually strewn among my grocery lists and general to-dos) and when I have a melody idea or a solid lyric, I’ll scan the notes for something I can use to tie everything together. And that’s totally fine ,but I always strive to make a point that relates to someone somewhere somehow.ĬN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?ĬC: I don’t write every day. You can wax poetic about things all day long, but if it doesn’t translate to the listener or flies over their head, it’s just music and words that might rhyme. I feel like the lyrics need to be accessible, no matter the subject matter. Beyond that, Todd Snider is another songwriting savant that I can dig into and park for hours.ĬN: On September 23, you released your new album Quaalude Lullabies, which you have stated is a “straight-forward Saturday morning kitchen conversation.” Is this how you approach your songwriting in general or was it different for this album?ĬC: Yeah, that’s my day-to-day approach to songwriting in general. They all cut each other’s songs, produced each other’s albums. Steve Earle, Townes, Rodney Crowell – pretty much that whole group of friends that just wrote songs and lived them. I’m sure you can find it online if you dig deep enough.ĬN: Which musicians have influenced you both personally and as an artist throughout your career?ĬC: I’d probably have to say Guy Clark would be the most influential. I wrote it for some buddies that were chefs and line-cooks at a local country club. It was a country blues tune called “North Louisiana Country Club Kitchen Blues”. Actually, I remember the first song I wrote that I was proud of. 1 and Todd Snider’s Near Truths album that’s when I was like, “Yeah, I wanna do this kinda thing.”ĬN: Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?ĬC: I try not to. We recently caught up with Chris to talk about his musical journey, his songwriting process and the new album.ĬN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?ĬC: Elevator pitch – I’m a singer-songwriter from Haynesville, Louisiana now living in Nashville Tennessee for the better part of ten years.ĬC: I got a late start in the music game – I was well into college before I ever picked up a guitar.
On September 23, he released his latest album Quaalude Lullabies, a 9-track release featuring songs that center on the struggles of addiction, depression, and loneliness. Raised in a a working-class blue-collar family in Haynesville, LA, Chris’ ability to write about life’s struggles, often from the point- of-view of those who aren’t always heard, connects with his listeners on a relative level.
Chris Canterbury is one of these songwriters. A great songwriter is born from experience work, love, pain, death, the ebbs and flows of every day life – each providing another layer of depth to the lyrics that share their stories.
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