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Photograph by Nick Karp, courtesy of Bloodshot Records
Al Scorch and his band live.
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Courtesy of Bloodshot Records
Al Scorch’s brand new album, Circle Round The Signs, deals in sudden, joyous songs such as “Pennsylvania Turnpike,” and moves to somber, thoughtful tunes like “Lonesome Low” in a seamless effort that will have you dancing one moment and sobbing the next. Scorch’s brand of Americana—again, a Protean genre—is at its core rooted in great songwriting and brilliant arrangements. Al has recently signed with Bloodshot records, continuing a tradition of great artists that are uncompromising and devoted to their craft. There are songs on the new record that move at a quick and furious pace, as if acoustic instruments are being pushed to the point of turning into kindling. Circle Round The Signs will, to my mind, garner a lot of praise and should be on several “albums of the year” lists. We had the chance to talk to Al, who was in Los Angeles. Al doesn’t sing his own praises, but tends to reference friends and fellow artists for whom he shares affinities.
“Lonesome Low” is a favorite track. Where did the images of being crucified to train tracks come from?
The story opens up first person. It just speaks to that feeling that everyone has in their lives to varying degrees of strength. When you’re depressed and you wake up, it feels like you’ve been knocked out and hit by a train. I have so much empathy and compassion for people who suffer that every day, and I am lucky, because I’m at a point where that doesn’t happen all of the time.
What drew you to Bloodshot records?
We’re civic peers, operating out of the same city. I’m in L.A. now, but I would definitely not want to make a record with an L.A. label. Bloodshot is outsider status. They don’t need established structures, and they’re grassroots. They take a grassroots approach to spreading music. They have a very blue-collar attitude. It’s like a “we’re-in-this-together” mentality. Some people think that because they play music, they’re elevated or above everybody, and that’s a poisonous attitude. Bloodshot doesn’t think that way.
What nonmusical influences called you while you were making Circle Round the Signs?
Man… The first thing that came into my head was Phillip Seymour Hoffman, how he conveyed so much detail through his work. He’s been a favorite actor of mine, and I was so sad when he passed. Artists like that are so melded with their craft, and it’s very inspiring. I’ve been really inspired by my friends Everything Is Terrible. They’re a video collective here in L.A. Everything they do has a great aesthetic presence to it… You craft an all-encompassing world in which your work can live.
“Poverty Draft” is a fairly bleak, but perhaps accurate, song about how servicemen and women are treated after their tours. Could you talk a bit about that song?
Aaron Hughes is a veteran and artist… After he came back from Afghanistan, he worked with a group, Iraq Veterans Against the War. They do a lot of anti-war work, but they also work with veterans. IVAW are helping people heal from a lot of pain. Aaron is now a full-time artist doing residencies in Beirut and all over the Middle East and U.S. He just ran a show in Chicago that centers around tea ceremonies that are part of the Middle East. It’s based around having tea and sitting around telling stories. Whether you agree with one person’s politics or not, “Poverty Draft” is a song about being disillusioned by war and losing your identity to it.
Al Scorch is one of those shows that isn’t to be missed. He and his band can stop on the proverbial dime, then rage again. The economy of bodies in the room at Off Broadway are truly in for a special night. You might catch me leaning against a wall, perhaps a few tears coming to my eyes when “Lonesome Low” plays, or perhaps shaking my fist at the ferocity of “Poverty Draft.” The whole emotional spectrum is right there on Circle Round The Signs.
Al Scorch plays Off Broadway (3509 Lemp), on Sunday, May 22 at 8 p.m. with Kristo and The Strange Places. The show is free and all-ages. For more information, go to offbroadwaystl.org.
