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Writer's pictureAudio Science Mastering

An Interview with Dirt Road Opera



A new single release from Dirt Road Opera brings a fresh Americana and country tonality. Still, it does so with a warm and welcoming approach that tells the story with such detail lyrically that you can feel it in your bones and picture a lot of it in your head as the story and song unfold.


"Where The Chicory Grows" is an absolutely beautiful song and feels nostalgic in a lyrical sense as she recaptures a certain element of youth and places that she still keeps in her heart.


I feel like you're really getting a piece of her personality in this track and that she's giving it in such an open manner that you can completely relate to it in your own way.


We all have places and things that remind us of our youth or give us bouts of nostalgia in terms of bringing out memories. Places and things that we remember because they've captured a certain element of our hearts and this in turn becomes part of who we are as we get older.


These are the elements that make this song unforgettable. There is a connective element to it that feels unreal, and the track comes through with an emotional backbone and even a little bit of a cinematic feel at times as well.


Lush with beautiful instrumentation like lap steel, guitar, and more, this track really showcases the band's ability to release a song that you can feel something from and that has a lot to do with the performances across the board.


All the performances on this track are stellar. The instruments seem to complement each other on a normal basis, the vocals bring out the same kind of energy and balance that the instrumentation does so between the singing and the band, it all has this beautiful forward-moving flow that feels almost dream-like at times.


This is a track that I feel speaks volumes for the band and how they're able to bring together such an incredible Southern tone set of sounds and textures that end up creating an atmosphere that you hold on to.


It's really the feeling that you hold on to. Because it does give you that warmth that I mentioned earlier. Even though it's about something in particular, we all can understand and relate to what she's talking about.


This is one of those songs that can cause memories of your own to pop into your head at random and I feel like that is a gift musically because it does not happen often.


A gorgeous song with such a subtle intensity that comes through with an immense authenticity and incredible personality, "Where the Chicory Grows" has a way of wrapping itself around you and keeping you right where it wants to.


When you listen to this track not only will you get pulled right into it, engulfed, and eventually washed away with it, but you will also have a strange attachment to it.


There are great guitar licks, and even that guitar tone itself has a perfect twang to it to add to that southern and Americana tonality. 


This was a gorgeous single that affected me in a certain way and if you're someone who likes music that has emotional attachments and can make you feel something, then this is 100% for you. 


With the release of such a beautifully woven single, we wanted to sit down with Dirt Road Opera to find out where this track came from and what might be up next for the band.


Here's what happened.


Buzz Slayers: Hey Rachel and thanks so much for taking some time with us!


I would love to start off talking about "Where the Chicory Grows" This was lush and smooth with some amazing guitar work! Where did this track come from?


Thanks! This song was born as a result of the unfortunate loss of my family’s homestead to a forest fire last summer. We were lucky enough to have our friend Dave Barber lend his incredible guitar talent to this recording! Dave’s wife Kirby Barber who is simply a world class musician, layed down the bass track. Obviously enhancing this song sonically, are the smooth sounds of John Ellis on the pedal steel guitar, and Ian Cameron on the fiddle. These stellar musicians brought this song to life, just as I had imagined it. Along with Barry at the helm in the production seat! (Rachel)


Buzz Slayers: I love the warm southern tones of this song! Can you give us some of your biggest musical influences?


Between all of the members of Dirt Road Opera, we have a extremely wide range of influences. But as of late, the Americana genre has been the most influential vibe for me. Alison Kraus, Kasey Chambers, Gillian Welch, John Prine to name a few.(Rachel)


Some of my biggest influences are: Jason Isbell, Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Neil Young, Tom Petty and most anything that came out of Laurel Canyon in the 70’s(Barry)


Buzz Slayers: Who is in your headphones right now?


Right now, I’m listening to ‘Watchhouse’. Surprisingly I just recently discovered them, and their music has been on repeat in my music library ever since I first heard “Golden Embers” I really love all of their stuff! (Rachel)


Buzz Slayers: Looks like you guys have some great upcoming shows! Do you and the band love that as much as recording?


Personally, performing live is my favourite part of what we get to do as a band.

Especially when it’s in venues like the “Creekside Theatre” in Lake Country BC, and the fabulous, renowned “Dream Cafe” in Pentiction BC, which are our next two performance locations. These couple of shows coming up are going to be particularly special, as Barry and I are reuniting with “The Cruzeros” which was a band that Barry founded along with his musical partner Curtis Tulman, years ago and that I was part of for a long time. We are getting back together for a few shows to commemorate our recent induction into the British Columbia Country Music Hall of Fame! (Rachel)


We love them both! Recording is a lot of fun, figuring out how the songs should go and then making that happen. Playing live is a big rush because of the energy we get from being on stage and playing to a live audience.(Barry)


Buzz Slayers: Now that this single is out there, what's next for the band?


We’ll continue working on the rest of the album. We have a lot of songs written for it and we’ll be spending the next few months in our studio.


Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you are not making music?


I spend a lot of time in my woodworking shop. It’s a relaxing, creative hobby and I actually make some nice stuff once in a while! We have a large yard with a garden and lots of landscaping, so that occupies a good chunk of time in the spring and summer. I like to ride my Harley, play pool and spend time at our place on the lake in Kelowna. I also try to play golf but have yet to break a hundred;) (Barry)


Right now, I am taking piano, and Spanish lessons. Unfortunately, I still have a “day job“a few days a week lol, and I have a 15-year-old son, Keefer, who is heavily involved in sports year-round. So, when I’m not making music, most weekends you will find me at the hockey rink, or ball field. (Rachel)


Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what do you want to say to fans out there?


We hope you’ll like our new single “Where the Chicory Grows” and continue to stay tuned for the upcoming EP. Thanks for all your support so far and we look forward to seeing you down the dirt road somewhere!


Thank you again Rachel for taking the time to talk with us!





























































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