Brooklyn honky-tonk band, Bourbon Express, just released the awesome new video inspired by 80's country music videos for “Devil’s Angel,” the second track off of their upcoming album, Cry About It Later. We chatted with the band to find out more about the new music and about their Nashville area show this Friday, May 25 at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge.
Thanks for talking with us! What was the first concert you ever attended?
Bourbon Express: Thank you! Nice to talk to you!
Sarah: New Kids on the Block when I was a kid. My neighbors had an extra ticket and I went because my best friend was a huge fan. I hated it and spent most of the time outside the stadium with earplugs in.
Brendan: My mom took me to see Tim Noah, a children's entertainer in the Northwest, when I was around four. I got so excited that I ran up on stage! Later I started going to all-ages punk shows.
Katie: My big brother was in a prominent punk band in Tacoma when we were growing up, and that might have been the first concert I ever saw. Brendan and I were probably going to the same shows, but we didn’t know each other. I didn’t see my first country act until much later. It was Willie Nelson, and he was awesome.
Did you have a musical mentor growing up?
Sarah: I grew up in Cincinnati, OH. My mom taught me piano lessons and I listened to my dad's Linda Ronstadt album over and over. He also loved Mama Cass, so I did, too. I worked with several music teachers in school over the years. We moved to Colorado when I was in high school, and my choir teacher there had a big influence on me.
Katie: I had many musical mentors, growing up in Washington State. When I first moved to New York City, I met a wonderful bluegrass singer–Brandi Hart of The Dixie Bee-Liners–and she taught me a lot about managing a band and doing your own promotion. When her band got signed, she moved out of the city, but we still write to each other now and then.
You’ve been receiving some great praise on your sophomore album, Cry About It Later, from tons of music outlets. That must feel pretty special?
Katie: We are really proud of this album, and it is extra special whenever we hear from people who like it too!
We are loving “Devil’s Angel,” and of course the video for it! Can you tell us a little about this song and how special it was recording the video?
Sarah: The video was a blast - our director, Phil Chernyak, has such a wonderful wacky sense of style and imagination. We had lots of friends come and help us out; the whole process was a ton of fun.
Katie: When she’s not busy being a terrific singer, Sarah is also an actor, so it was a treat for Brendan and I to work with her in that capacity. "Devil’s Angel," was one of the first songs written for the album and was the very first song cut. We got to let our imaginations run wild on the video, and there was a lot of laughter on the set.
Now, we also LOVE watching eighties and nineties music videos on YouTube. What are some of your go-to favorites?
Katie: I love Rosie Flores’ “Crying Over You” and Sweethearts of the Rodeo, “Devil And Your Deep Blue Eyes."
Brendan: Patty Loveless' ,"Blame It On Your Heart" and Alan Jackson's, "Chattahoochee."
You have a show coming up at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge on Friday, May 25. Is this your first time playing this venue?
Katie: May 25 will be our first time playing Dee’s, and we are very excited!
Is there any particular song you can’t wait for fans for hear?
Katie: We are of course looking forward to playing songs off of our new album, but we’re also looking forward to trying out some new material.
Will there be an opportunity before or after the show to meet and talk with fans?
Brendan: Of course! We're looking forward to meeting folks before and after shows.
Katie: Definitely! Come and talk to us!
What has been one of the most unexpected things to happen to you this year?
Katie: We’ve met some really wonderful people who’ve been incredibly generous with their time and talents and have helped us make our record, music video, put shows together, etc. I would say that making new friends was the unexpected highlight of this year.
How do you stay connected with your fans?
Katie: Making records and playing shows are still great ways to connect with people who like our music. I’ve also started posting pictures of our cats on social media.
Finally with the name, Bourbon Express, we have to ask, what is your favorite bourbon?
Brendan: I'm an Evan Williams drinker.
Sarah: I'm partial to Pappy Van Winkle 20 year, of course. On the more affordable side, I also love Eagle Rare and a bourbon made in my family's hometown of Grand Junction, CO - Peach Street Bourbon from Peach Street Distillery.
Katie: My latest favorite is Glenn’s Creek Distillery, located within the former Old Crow Distillery. I had the chance to take a tour with a girlfriend a few months back, and we stayed for hours talking and tasting with the owner. I walked out with an idea for a new song that I wrote the very next day called ,“Moonshine Maker." Looking forward to performing it in a few days!
Website: http://www.bourbonexpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bourbonexpress/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bourbon_express/
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