Justin Townes Earle: Livin' The Good Life

The Dwarf spoke to alt-country troubadour Justin Townes Earle (yes, son of Steve, but let's not make a big thing out of it) about all things JTE...

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about music journalism –other than to never underestimate the power that sucking up can bring- it’s that nobody wants to be asked who they’re named after. Sure, famous mommies and pappies might be interesting, but who really wants to be asked their parents music? Especially when their own music is just as good (although not yet as critically renowned).

So please, have a little sympathy when I tell you about Justin Townes Earle, as I had to ask him about being named after two famous songwriters- father Steve- the original hardcore troubadour- and Townes Van Zandt -the man Earle Sr credited with being a better songwriter than Bob Dylan.

Earle is almost flippant at the influence the two have had on his songwriting. “He’s one of the greatest songwriters to ever live and I’m a songwriter; how could he not have an influence on me?” asks a rhetorical Earle when questioned about his father. He is similarly curt-yet-grateful at a mention of Van Zandt, answering the question with a simple “Of course.”

It’s not that kinfolk is the only interesting thing about Earle, it’s just that the songwriting styles of father and son are so different, you almost feel like to have to make sure that really are related. While Earle Sr is best known for fiery political ballads that take no prisoner, the younger Earle has a much more understated style. “At this moment I’m not political by choice. Not that I don’t have political stances, I just don’t feel like using my music as a platform for my opinions.” says Earle. In a world where music is brimming with faux activism and half hearted political protests, Earle’ honesty is almost refreshing- and that to buck the trend of political awareness and Obama-mania in younger musicians.

That’s not to say that he doesn’t get deep into philosophical territory on The Good Life, his debut CD full of Grand Ol Opry style twang, old timey sensibilities, and decisions of dubious morality. It’s a CD that feels like it shouldn’t have been made today, and that it’s really relic from the 1940’s. Earle’s unique qualities perfectly encapsulate the ‘Lost Highway’ mentality of country legends of old.

The album defining Lone Pine Hill is an intricately written tale of a Civil War veteran who longs to return home to his lover. Other highlights include the fingerpicked Turn out my Light that speaks of inebriation and loneliness and the overexcited Hank Williams of Hard Livin’ Mix this with Earle’s weathered voice and penchant for writing songs about wounded and troubled characters and an image immerges of an uneasy yet immensely talented songwriter. Given that Earle has had his own demons, one has to wonder how many of the losing stories on The Good Life are written from personal experiences, a statement that Earle explains away with “songwriters are the best liars known to man.” It’s an interesting sentiment- and one that politicians, spouses and car salesmen may not agree with- but it does go towards explaining the gap between the romanticized image of a songwriter and what they really are (apparently, dirty, filthy lairs).

Earle got his start fathers band, an experience that Earle credits with teaching himself to be professional (perhaps not overly so, as he was eventually thrown out). Now 25, it’s been a long road to a solo success- especially when you consider he wrote the raucous and instantly catchy Ain’t You Glad I’m Leaving? at the tender age of sixteen. Earle explains the gap as a case of simply not being ready.

Now that he’s here, Earle is a little coy (or perhaps just as clueless as the rest of us) as to what his future direction is. “You’d have a better chance of predicting the pollen count day to day than you do the evolution of a songwriter.” says Earle of his future plans, a statement that seems even more unusual when he later (perhaps with tongue planted firmly in cheek…) asks if I think Kanye West would work with him. Could that mean the most arrogant country record ever made? Or ruminations on why everybody who criticizes them are ‘squidbrains’ instead of Civil War tales? Whatever the case, fans of Earle have little to worry about. Free of the troubles that plagued him in younger years, he’s a gifted songwriter who seems to take the expectations placed on him in stride.

Just don’t ask him about his father…

The Good Life is out now on Bloodshot through Inertia.
Justin also plays the following Australian Tour Dates:
Brisbane - 23 November @ The Troubadour
Sydney - 25 November @ Annandale Hotel
Adelaide - 26 November @ Grace Emily Hotel
Hepburn Springs - 28 November @ The Palais
Meenyan - 29 November @ Meenyan Town Hall
Melbourne - 30 November @ Toff In Town

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