INTERVIEW: Midland on 'Drinkin' Problem' & Self-Titled EP
March 24, 2017
If you're not yet acquainted, meet Midland. The country band from Dripping Springs, Texas consists of lead singer Mark Wystrach, lead guitarist Jess Carson, and bass player Cameron Duddy, and are bringing back the more traditional sounds of country music. The band describes their own music as "if George Strait and the Eagles just went and had a really wild debaucherous weekend." And although the band is inspired by many classic country artists like Merle Haggard, they have many modern influences as well, blending both eras of country together to create their own sound.
Midland has a single out right now called "Drinkin' Problem," inspired by Gary Stewart, as well as a five-song self-titled EP, and are currently working on a full-length album. Their single was co-written by Shane McAnally and Josh Osbourne.
We recently caught up with Midland, and during an exclusive interview, we learned more about the trio, including how they met, how they got their start as a band, their musical influences, their single "Drinkin' Problem," what fans can expect from their EP, and more.
RELATED VIDEO: Meet Midland
On the history of the band & how they formed
All three Midland members, Mark, Jess and Cam, grew up in different cities, but met playing music in Los Angeles in their early 20s. The first time they played music together as a trio was actually at Jess' wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming -- both Mark and Cam were groomsmen. "There was some kind of magic [that] happened, and we had to start a conversation, and six months later, we threw some money together and went out to the Sonic Ranch and cut 15 demos, that are now called the 'Sonic Ranch Sessions,'" the guys tells us. "There's something very special when the three of us came together to play music. That has become Midland."
The band played at many Honky Tonks around Austin, Texas, including Luckenbach, Broken Spoke, and Poodies Hilltop Roadhouse. They explain, "In Texas, they book one band for the whole night, so you play for three and a half hours. And so that really built up our chops in learning covers, and being able to vet out songs that we had written, and that's where we really clocked our time on stage and became a band, a unit, and figured out what songs worked. And that was really where we were formed -- in the Honky Tonks. We were a Honky Tonk dance band. Trial by Honky Tonk fire. We still are a Honky Tonk dance band."
RELATED VIDEO: Midland Plays Who Knows Who Better?
On what inspired "Drinkin' Problem" & how the song was created
One of the first times that Midland did a co-write together happened to be the time they wrote their single "Drinkin' Problem." And it all started at songwriter/producer Shane McAnally's house as they sat down to drink a few beers and talk musical influences, which for the band includes George Strait, Eagles, Glen Campbell, and Gary Stewart.
"The three of us are songwriters, and it started with our songs, and it's really important that a Midland song is a Midland song. We were fortunate enough that one of our first times we came and did a co-write, none of us had done that here in Nashville, it happened to be with two, now brothers, two kindred spirits in Shane McAnally and Josh Osborn. So, it started with us sitting down over at Shane's place, sitting around drinking beers, just getting to know each other and talking about all of our influences, and the stuff that we love; the early George Straight, the Eagles, Glen Campbell, and particularly Gary Stewart. And we loved that the soulful, well-crafted songs from the 70's and 80's that were these beautiful songs about dark places. And that's really where 'Drinking Problem' ... we started riffing, somebody came up with a progression, and within two hours, 'Drinking Problem' was done, stamped, and put it to record. It was a really magical experience."
On what fans can expect from their EP & plans for 2017
The guys say that their single "represented a perfect first statement for Midland," and describe the rest of their EP as inspired by 70s, 80s, and 90s classic country. "You would find more of that spirit, more of that 'Drinkin' Problem' type of sound really just inspired by 70s and 80s, and early 90s classic country. And we all really love rock and roll, so there [are] some different colors throughout the different songs. Songs about us, songs about heartbreak, songs about being out on the road, and being a little Honky Tonk band."
This is only the beginning for Midland. The band is heading out on tour, and playing at places like The Calgary Stampede, and make their Grande Ole Opry debut on April 8th. But what they are most excited for is their full-length debut album to be released at the end of September. "The most exciting thing, aside from all that is that we're going to be releasing our full length debut album at the end of September, and we're really excited that. We've got an incredible collection of songs, together already, and just really excited about putting that together, and getting in the studio to finish that up."