Chucky Trading Co. Deliver A Gorgeous Record

A brand new record from Chucky Trading Co. brings together such Lush and beautiful instrumentation by taking elements of Americana, folk, indie rock, classic rock, and this robust sense of southern soul, and bringing them all together to create something that has what I would consider a cinematic undertone in a sense but bursting at the seams with personality as well.

A Sky of Hopes is an album that wastes very little time reeling you in with "High Desert Flowers", which certainly displays their sense of vocal Harmony and warmth, color, and understanding of tonality.

You can hear that classic rock and southern undertone throughout this track, and it is a brilliant arrangement, but it's the performance that gets you engulfed.

This is a great song to introduce the record with simply because it does display some of the things that you're going to hear throughout the rest of the release.

Having said that, there are many surprises around the corners of this record and several approaches to the songwriting and even soundscape of songs, so this is not the kind of record you just check out a few songs from.

This is the kind of album you listen to from beginning to end, simply because it serves as a story in a way. There are different ways that the songs feel interconnected, and although it may not be an actual concept record, to get the full understanding of where the album is coming from, it should definitely be heard as a whole.

Songs like "Charly's Alone" touch on a sense of realism and brilliant storytelling that lets you paint vivid pictures in your head as songs unfold.

This is such a strong attribute to this record and part of why it serves as quite an amazing escape from your everyday life.

This album has a particular way of pulling you away from wherever you are and whatever you're doing and putting you into these stories and situations.

You pay a lot of attention to the lyrics because they are sung with heart and passion. The mood for those lyrics is set by the music.

"Charly's Alone" is very cinematic and has a vast undertone to it, along with some gorgeous instrumentation, including cello and acoustic guitar, a particular way of building in intensity and emotion as the song goes on.

That's another thing with this album. There are waves of intensity that come and go. There are calms before storms, and such a unique approach to songwriting that feels familiar because it is influenced by classic and vintage songwriting from classic rock to Americana, country, folk, and more.

You can hear that slew of influences throughout the entire record, and as they come and go, you begin to realize that this is a record that almost serves like a love letter to the artists, songs, and bands that influenced Chucky Trading Co.

Songs like "Wrecking Ball" give off more of a folk rock aesthetic and approach with layers of clean and electric guitars along with vocal harmonies from both singers at times, which thicken songs up because it's got these gorgeous layers of texture.

You can tell there was a lot of attention to detail during the creation of these songs, but none of them lose their heart or personality, which is probably the most important aspect of the entire thing.

What are my favorite tracks on this record is actually the title track and it closes the record out with this amazingly powerful and almost psychedelic rock sound that blends in with the Americana and southern tonality to build this gorgeous atmosphere with beautiful pianos, guitars, but also experimental synths and keys that add a little bit of spaciousness and color to the already robust and addictive soundscape.

Chucky Trading Co. is a duo consisting of CS Taber, who performs much of the instruments and vocals, along with Patricia "Danger" Taber, who also sings on the record.

With extra vocals and instrumentation performed on certain tracks from additional players and collaborators, this is such a lush record for a duo.

You can tell that there was just a pure love for the craft of songwriting and performing throughout this entire thing, and with its release, we had a chat with CS and Danger Taber about where this record came from and what might be next for the project.

Here's what happened.

Buzz Slayers: Let's talk about the A Sky of Hopes album! This was such a great blend of Americana, folk, Country, and more all with beautiful songwriting! Where did this record come from?

CS: Thank you! We had so much fun making this record. We are a brother/sister duo with a crazy mix of influences. We were born in Africa, and we have lived and traveled in a few different countries. As teenagers, we found ourselves in Tennessee in the US, and that’s where our musical journey began. You’re right that A Sky of Hopes emerged from all of these influences! I think the core is our love for acoustic music with vocal harmonies.

Buzz Slayers: I'm hearing a few different approaches on this record! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

CS: Ah, that is always a fun question! As a songwriter, I am most influenced by the folk-rock artists of the 1970s, especially Paul Simon. But our overall sound comes from the crazy eclectic mix of artists we listen to, including CSN, Fleetwood Mac, the Head and the Heart, Eva Cassidy, Led Zeppelin, Brandi Carlile, The Roches, Pink Floyd, Wilco, Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, Joan Armatrading, Moody Blues, the Beatles, and the Lumineers. I mean, how do you trim the list?

Buzz Slayers: When did this all start for you as a band?

CS: We started making music long ago, in a galaxy far away…., but I think it really started with a four-piece band called Three a.m. This group featured acoustic instruments and four-part harmonies, and we played about half original tunes. For me, life intervened, and I went back to school and began a non-musical career. Then, some years later, during COVID, I had a bit of a flurry of songwriting, which culminated in the first CTC album, simply called Chucky Trading Co. Danger’s path was a bit different!

Danger: Yup. After Three a.m., I played in a folk rock duo called Taber and Hart. Moving to Nashville brought more music but even more theatre. I’ve always seen each song as a little play. I am happy that Chuck (CS) and I are making music and telling stories together again!

Buzz Slayers: Are you performing live right now? Any touring in support of this release?

CS: We would love to perform live together, but right now we are 1000 miles apart, making the logistics challenging. I do foresee a few shows in Nashville, maybe. Right, Pat??

Danger: Right! I’m working on it.

Buzz Slayers: Did you record this in a home studio setup, or did you go to a big studio for this?

CS: The first album was recorded both at home and in a big Atlanta studio, and was produced by a talented friend, Everett Young. Sky was entirely recorded in my home studio, both where I live in NY and in Nashville, where Danger lives. We arranged and produced this album, and I played nearly all the instruments.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, what's next for you as a band?

CS: Well, we will work on promoting Sky for the next few months, with listening parties and perhaps a live release party in Nashville. But we have already begun the creative process for the next set of songs, which is wonderful fun!! We would like to have our third album before the end of 2026.

Danger: Wheeeee!

Buzz Slayers: Are you planning any music videos in the near future?

CS: We have released one video so far (https://youtu.be/NolfyxHyyEM?si=VRP3BfnjwXQjbVWC), for the first single, “Clever Girl,” and we plan to release videos for most of the remaining singles as they come out. In fact, we are working on one right now for “Make Your Own Sunshine,” our next single!

Buzz Slayers: Who's in all your headphones right now?

CS: Oooh, I’m listening to a few indie artists, including Portobello Express, Postindustrial Poets, William Lovett, Kelly Cresswell, and Rich Allen, and I have recently rediscovered my love of the Moody Blues. Through the New Artist Spotlight, I have connected with some amazing unsigned bands.

Danger: Elton John, Dawes, Mercyland, and Lyle Lovett.

Buzz Slayers: This was a pretty big record! Was it a big undertaking? How long did it take to finish this?

CS: Forever. LOL. Well, it took about two years after we began seriously working on it. Learning to self-record and produce was a pretty steep curve. I am glad that we decided to have it professionally mixed and mastered, or we would probably still be working! BTW, I need to send a shoutout to the brilliant Adam Whittaker of Deluxe Mixing (https://www.deluxemixing.com/)! Dude’s a genius and so easy to work with.

Buzz Slayers: What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

CS: Eleven songs that sometimes make you laugh, more often make you think, and occasionally just tear at your heartstrings. We love making music and telling stories together, and I think it comes through in this album.

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music? 

CS: Thank you so much for listening to us and to #indiemusic! You may never know how much it means to an unsigned artist to just have someone like or repost their music! So, THANK YOU! Join us in the “countless stars in a sky of hopes!”

Danger: Ditto! Thank you.

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