Louisiana-born and Portland-based singer-songwriter Kyle Craft has just released his third full-length album, Showboat Honey, via Sub Pop.
The artist, who we first became aware of after the release of his 2018 banger 'Full Circle Nightmare', has been writing music since he was 15. He started out busking country songs in a Grim Reaper costume to conceal his identity. Aged 30 now, over multiple tours, and albums on one of the US's most prestigious and uncompromising labels, he has blossomed into one of the most powerful, tasteful singers on the alternative scene.
When he released the single 'Deathwish Blue' last month, we said his pipes stood tall next to John Lennon's, Elton John's, and Marc Bolan's. But we didn't want to be left imagining what his music collection looks like and Craft was happy to draw up a list of his influences for this album.
Elton John doesn't make an appearance but the other two do, alongside a few other incredible tracks from the early 70s. The playlist conveys his immaculate taste, and thorough knowledge of this golden era, which definitely will have gone a long way to getting the album to sound so good. That and a natural ability to laden so much of himself into the song without glossing over his dark side. He's a great songwriters also.
Despite our focus on Craft in this piece we ought to add: The new record is more of a band record than his previous releases. It was recorded and produced by Craft and the band's Kevin Clark, and Billy Slater at Moonbase Studios in Portland. The album was mixed by Trevor Spencer (Father John Misty) and mastered by April Golden at Golden Mastering. And we'd heartily recommend giving it a listen on Spotify below; especially if the below Youtube links are your kind of jam.
Graham Nash - 'Better Days'
The moment the band kicks in always makes me feel like I'm walking into the opening scene of a runaway film. Has that strange urgency that hints that either time is running out or that there's a skin to be shed, a new chapter. This tune had a big influence on the way 'Buzzkill Caterwaul' turned out. It has the same structures through some parts even.
Patti Smith - 'Land'
The raw spirit found across Patti Smith's Horses is something I try to reach for constantly. I dig the way Lenny Kaye's guitar sounds when everything starts to accelerate and thought the record could use a "riffy" number like that, which is where '2 Ugly 4 NY' came from.
The Kinks - 'The Contenders'
I was addicted to Lola vs Powerman whenever we were in the process of recording the album. I didn't realize it until after the fact, but 'The Contenders' had an obvious sway in the way I went about tracking 'Lily Riptide'. I remember having trouble with tracking the vocal until I thought about pulling it back in a Ray Davies kinda way.
John Lennon - 'Mind Games'
I think Mind Games was the first Lennon song I ever listened to, even before Imagine... You don't hear "Imagine there's no heaven" growing up in small town Louisiana very often. When I was writing the string arrangements for ‘Deathwish Blue’, I wanted it to have that long, old Hollywood strings feel to it... I feel 'Mind Games' and that version of 'Many Rivers To Cross' that Lennon and Nilsson do together, that's the string sound I wanted... Not sure I got it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival - 'Run Through The Jungle'
I'm a sucker for CCR. I honestly think it's because of where I'm from... reminds me of home (Louisiana/Mississippi), even though those guys are from the Bay Area. Anyway, really dig so many of their albums, but this tune in particular has that swampy guitar situation happening that inspired 'O! Lucky Hand' on Showboat Honey.
T. Rex - 'Cosmic Dancer'
'Johnny (Free & Easy)' is one of the more subdued tracks on our record due in part to those downtempo Bolan numbers like 'Cosmic Dancer'. I very rarely sing quietly, my voice doesn't hold up in that way, but I tried it out on that song and it worked! Perhaps I should try more often?
