Last Updated on 12/11/2023 by Rock For Disability
I know it’s been several months since I last posted a music interview, but I’m pleased to say it is back and to get started, we have a mammoth two-week Music Interview Marathon. The first band on the bill is stomp and clap American rock-n-roll band Trickshooter Social Club, who have a range of core members and contributing musicians, making them a unique community of musical artists.
Band Name: Trickshooter Social Club
Members: James McNaughton (Bass), Chris Bartley (Keys/Synths), Beltran Delcampo (Violin/Backing Vocals), Ruth Margraff (Accordion/Backing Vocals), Nikki Morgan (Lead Vocals), Larry Liss (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals) & Steve SImoncic (Lead Vocals/Rhythm guitar)
Genre: Fuzzy, tweedy, garage-y, country-tinged, stomp and clap American
rock-n-roll/singer-songwriter/loud and unapologetic
Founded: August 2014
Originated From: Chicago, Illinois
Discography: Everything That Rises, Generator
American Experiment & Monte Carlo
How would you describe your music?
Our music is a little whiskey-soaked and world-weary – but always leaves a little room for redemption.
What is your musical creative process like?
This band is built on pieces and parts. There’s a lot of riff writing going on
separately. We’ll send each other snippets on our phones and work on the ones
that move each other – a bridge, a chorus, a four-note run – we’re not in this
to pass complete songs back and forth.
Once we get some structure, we’ll start laying things into logic and tear the songs apart even more.
From there we start collaborating with our producers/engineers and see where else we can take them.
How did the band form?
The co-founders were in another band. We always had a writing connection, so when that one ended, we started writing immediately but always with the intent of not being some cookie-cutter, pre-fab band with a bunch of dudes trying to out-volume each other.
So we holed up in rehearsal spaces around the city, armed with just guitars
and voices and wrote.
When we started writing and entertaining the thought of pulling more people
into those songs, the one thing we knew we wanted was to not be a band in
the traditional sense. Or at the very least, push what that idea meant-
definitely not a bunch of guys staring at their shoes.
We wanted to create a community where there was always an open seat for any instrument or voice to contribute something. While there are core members of Trickshooter, we have endless contributors that push and evolve us.
On any given night, we have dobro players, percussionists, rappers, and spoken word artists up on stage and in the studio with us. It’s a bit gipsy-like in its intent – a bit of a travelling roadshow, but there’s always a connectedness in the music, even with our newest members.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
It has and always been about Tom Petty, he made such painfully honest,
simple music that was never indulgent. Just engaging storytelling and a band
that was clearly connected.
We also like bands like Cheap Trick because they wrote songs – with choruses and hooks and memorable lyrics. Social Distortion for their Tom Petty approach with a snarl and a distortion pedal. Neil Young for his dual personality of singer-songwriter, acoustic mastery and being a
noise savant. Plus, Wilco for their sonic defiance.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We have played tons at some amazing places. Hard to pin one, but love Metro,
Lincoln Hall and House of Blues in Chicago and Pianos in New York was a small intimate setting that sounded great and had energy in them we really drew off
of.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
Quite honestly it’s being able to make music with talented individuals in
Trickshooter – be it in the rehearsal space or on stage, it just fills a hole in your
heart, you never knew you had.
The small pleasures of hitting the middle 8 perfectly or that knowing look across the stage as we launch into a song.
There are just so many good vibes in those moments. They’re indescribable, but
also, unforgettable.
Also, guitar pedals are another great thing about being a musician.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
Wouldn’t consider it a problem, per se, but always being on the lookout for
the next source of promotion, learning it and then learning how to use it to its
potential.
It’s easy to lean on Facebook and Instagram, and they still have a lot of power in
terms of reach. But to grow new audiences, you have to find new outlets and
that’s keeping your ear to the ground and getting on the train quickly and
seamlessly. To us, that comes with the gig.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
We’re always writing and recording, because, it kind of fuels whatever we do.
But we’re also rehearsing with a few new Trickshooters for some live shows
later on the fall. Always exciting when we grow the social club, so people can
expect even more energetic shows and for our new music to be more diverse,
more unexpected than what we’ve done previously.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
Honestly, we just want to continue to get our band heard. We love playing
huge, loud, packed shows and we love recording new music, but the dream is
for our work to get in as many ears as possible. And maybe jam with Bruce
Springsteen.
You can find out more about Trickshooter Social Club by visiting their website and following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021.
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