Until We Drown, the 2013 debut release from Americana/ Blues Singer-Songwriter and Memphis, Tennessee native Kait Lawson, features 10 stand-out tracks showcasing Lawson’s own personal reflections on life while demonstrating musical influences and inspirations behind her songwriting. Set to be released March 19, the album pays homage to her birthplace while showcasing deep and personal lyrics written by Lawson. Recommended tracks include the newly-released single “Place in the Ground”, “Memphis”, and “Until We Drown”.
On the inspirational track “Place In the Ground”, Lawson uses personal reflections behind the writing of the song. The lyrics, “…I was supposed to leave first my love/You cried out loud/I would trade everything I am/Take your place in the ground…/” capture the feelings and thoughts portrayed by Lawson’s grandfather shortly after her grandmother’s passing. Lawson states, “I was sitting around at my old apartment in Nashville, being homesick, thinking about my family, and trying to force myself to write a song. I remembered something I heard my grandfather say at my grandmother’s funeral years before, which led me to writing this song.”
On the upbeat Guitar-driven track “Memphis” Lawson pays homage to her hometown in West Tennessee with the lyrics, “…Memphis you’re my heart and soul/You’re my Blues and Rock and Roll/Only place I could ever call home/Oh Memphis you’re my soul…/” After a short time of residing in Nashville and New York, Lawson would eventually return to her birthplace.
Lawson showcases her musical background and influences behind the Bluesy-track “Until We Drown”. Featuring a hint of Guitar from Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady) and a strong presence of the Keys from Al Gamble (Mark Broussard), “Until We Drown” features lyrics written by Lawson as she uses her strong vocal talents to emphasize the importance of various musical influences behind her songwriting. Lawson showcases her musical influences with the lyrics, “…Let’s get high/Paint a picture/Play some music/Woody Guthrie/Tell me your stories tonight/Let’s go down/To the river/Touch our feet to Muddy Water/Sing me a little blues until we drown…/”
Shortly after signing to Memphis-based indie recording label MADJACK Records in September of 2011, Lawson would eventually record her debut album at an old warehouse located in Downtown Memphis. Mixed by Jeff Powell and produced by Lucas Peterson, Until We Drown features additional instrumentations by Drummer George Sluppick (Chris Robinson Band), Guitarist Dave Cousar (Al Green), and Bassist Sam Shoup (Ringo Starr, John Legend).
Writing songs since the tender age of 10 and playing Guitar since the age of 13, Lawson has looked up to family as a huge influence in her blossoming career in music. She states, “My dad was a huge influence on me. I always loved hearing songs he wrote and songwriters he loved.” Another major influence behind Lawson’s music is John Prine. “My most memorable performance was when I got to sing onstage with John Prine at Keith Syke’s songwriter convention in Hot Springs, Arkansas this past summer,” Lawson continues, “he’s been one of my favorites forever, so getting to be on stage with him was amazing.”
Every Thursday night, Kait Lawson can be heard playing at The Poplar Lounge located in Memphis, Tennessee. For a complete list of dates and to find out more about her music, please visit https://www.facebook.com/kaitlawsonmusic?fref=ts
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