Tim Easton has been singing and writing songs since he was 14 years old. He never considered another career. After finishing college, Easton hit the road with his guitar and spent seven years singing and playing on European street corners. When he got back to Ohio, Easton joined the Haynes Boys, a roots-rock outfit that made one album before breaking up. Free again, Easton picked up his guitar and returned to the road, touching down long enough to make nine albums that earned him a loyal following with their blend of gritty roots-rock and heartfelt songwriting. Every LP took a slightly different approach and his latest, Not Cool, shows off his love of rockabilly and early R&B. Easton will be quest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new feature on him.
Easton: Have you ever been not just truly entertained but simply blown away when you least expected it? I walked into the Station Inn during a music supervisor’s showcase in Nashville to catch a gaggle of bands who were playing at an early hour to an industry crowd. St. Paul And The Broken Bones hit the stage like it was a throw-down Saturday-night juke-joint party. They made no apologies about the hour of day and took it upon themselves to get you to get you to shake your ass, even if you had just finished lunch.
The band is Southern, in regards to soulful arrangements and tasty horns, with a lead singer who is onstage to remind you what entertainment really is all about. This band will make you forget all the bullshit and get right to the heart of it all. Beats, dynamics, heart and songs that you sing throughout the day. For every successful band, like Alabama Shakes, there are always similar ones in the works from the same region, but here we have a seriously vibrant take on good time music. May they forever go out to spread joy in the world.
Mr. RayLand Baxter played that day, too. And for the love of craft, just go see this man live if you want to know how to properly blend your voice with your instrument. So damn good. He performs with intention and grace, and you will be moved.
Video after the jump.
