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10 Questions with ... Levon
July 23, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LevonTheMusic Twitter: www.Twitter.com/LevonTheMusic
Columbia Nashville and Epic Records announced the dual signing of Levon back in February of this year. The band consists of three best friends: Michael David Hall on guitar and lead vocals; Jake Singleton on harmonies, bass, and percussion; and Ryan Holladay on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and harmonies. The trio released a self-titled EP in May of this year, with five songs that showcase the band's 70s Rock-inspired sound. Their debut single, "Ms. Marianne," tells a head-turning story, and impacts Country radio on Monday, July 31st.
1. Thank you for sitting down with All Access! You guys are all from different places - Micheal is from Illinois, Jake is from South Carolina, and Ryan is from Tennessee - but you're best friends in a band now! How did you three meet and decide to become a band?
Jake: Michael and I met while playing for tips at a restaurant in two different bands. He had been working at the restaurant we were playing at that night, and I liked the songwriting that was coming from him, so we decided to start jamming and went from there. About a year and a half after that, we found Ryan through a mutual friend.
Michael: Before we met Ryan, we were using different session guys while trying to find the right fit, and we were dealing with a lot of availability issues. For us, this Levon thing was like, "Okay, if you're ready to change your lifestyle, and devote to this band, that's who we're looking for." I don't know how in the world Ryan was available - I think he could've been doing any project he wanted to do, but he chose to be in this band with us. That's when Levon really started to feel like Levon. The band was formed, and we were playing for tips outside of Pancake Pantry [in Nashville] and on the streets, and playing at Puckett's Grocery Of Leiper's Fork - very small-scale things. Although, we're starting to play bigger shows and get more opportunities, we have not ever lost that "playing-for-tips" mentality that this band was based around for a while - that first year or two of playing wherever we could for nothing. That taught us to play very intimately and connect with whoever we had in front of us, whether they're waiting to get into a restaurant, walking by, or sitting on a bench listening to us. We've never lost that real desire to just play because we can play. We will gladly play for five people or 5,000 people - it doesn't matter. We love the material.
2. Your band's name is unique and has a lot of meaning behind it; it's an homage to The Band's Levon Helms and Elton John's song, "Levon," correct? Could you explain what the name "Levon" specifically means to you guys?
Ryan: For me, when I hear the name "Levon," it brings me back to a certain time period of when The Band was really popular and Elton John had the song out. The 70s are a big influence to us, so it has a really nostalgic feel. When I hear the name, it takes me back and makes me think of that time period that was really influential growing up.
Michael: I think a lot of the bands that have influenced us so heavily were very harmony-based. With The Band, each person did multiple things - it was kind of a musical threat in different ways. For us to be half as good of a band as that one day would be magnificent; they've tossed around the solos, and there was a real communal feel about the harmonies and the music. To have a name represent some of those values, those are the same values that we have. Plus, it wasn't taken yet! When you're trying to think of a band name, I'm sorry, but good luck!
3. Additionaly, your record deal with Columbia Nashville and Epic Records is fairly new - it was announced back in February of this year. What journey did you take to secure a record deal here in town?
Michael: It was announced in February, because that's when the music was coming out. We actually signed the record deal about two years ago. We filled that time writing, bonding, driving in the van, and doing everything we could to learn from these huge artists we were opening for. If you open for Willie Nelson or Alabama, and you're not picking up tricks and watching that whole show, you are not doing your job.
4. Speaking of the time you've spent on the road recently, how would you describe your live show? What is your favorite song to perform live?
Michael: Our live show has changed. When the band was formed, we were getting our bearings to become the vocal group that we are. In the beginning, we were playing slower songs, so it was kinda moodier - we didn't have the transitions very smooth. Over time, we've been playing with more and more energy, moving around more, interacting more with each other, and learning to let go and let things happen, not try to measure it all out. I'd say that the energy has gone up, and the songs have become more fun to play as we get better at them. My favorite song to play live is a song called, "Till The Wheels Fall Off." I feel a little bit like John Fogerty in that song; I love to play it, and I love to sing it with a lot of grit in my voice. I feel like when I'm singing that song, that nobody is gonna take my dream away from me. I'm like, "Nobody can take my dream away from me, not even Oprah!" Our single, "Ms. Marianne," has also been one of our absolute favorites to play live, because that's what gets strangers that have never heard us before to turn their heads and pay attention.
Ryan: Yeah, "Ms. Marianne" is probably my favorite song to do live, just because of the energy we have. It's very loose, and gets all of us interacting on stage as goofballs, for the most part. There's another song called "Wired" that I really enjoy playing. That one has the same feel for me that "Till The Wheels Fall Off" has on Michael. The first line is, "I've been beat down, but never broken," and that immediately brings up all sorts of memories of playing for tips and playing for two or three people in random clubs; it really helps put everything in perspective as to where the band is now. So, every time we play that song, it brings me back to a certain time, and also brings me to this moment, too.
Jake: I'll throw a curveball. We've been really good at choosing covers to play, and there's one that we do that's by Destiny's Child, because no one ever sees that coming. We do a really cool arrangement of "Say My Name," and it gives us a good dynamic in the set.
5. You mentioned that your current single, "Ms. Marianne," is one of your favorite cuts to play live. Word on the street is that it's a true story. Can you explain it?
Michael: It happened when I worked at Wild Ginger in Cool Springs for three years. So many cougars that go through that restaurant, it's ridiculous. It's the "cougar den" of Tennessee. So, one day, I was all by myself, serving in between lunch and dinner, when nobody comes in. Then, here comes Ms. Marianne, which isn't her real name. But, she came in after finishing a workout, sat down, and we started flirting. Then, she invited me out for a date the next night, and I told our producer, Jamie Houston, about it, and he was hanging with James Dean Hicks, and they started kicking around the idea of a cougar song. They were laughing so hard at the fact that I was going on a date with someone twice my age. I didn't think it was funny - I was ready to go! So, the next day, I went on the date, and within a week we had written that song, it was finished, and we had a demo. It all happened pretty fast. It was one of the easier songs that we've written, because of the authenticity and how much we had to go off of with the story.
6. You also recently filmed the music video for the single. What was that experience like?
Jake: It was such a fun day - I can't believe we filmed it all in one day! It was a long one, but it was fun getting to do some acting alongside actually playing the music.
Michael: In the video, we all work at the restaurant together, which just explains where this band came from, and how we're normal guys trying to make a buck and love what we do. It's interesting in the sense that it has a few shots that are representatives of the movie "The Graduate." The way that they're shot, along with the story, the house, the cougar, the fantasy scene - they're all very close to that movie, on purpose.
Ryan: The whole shoot was a lot of fun. I know they filmed Michael and Marianne leaving the restaurant like 20 times to make sure they got it the right way. And there's a couple scenes where we're singing the song in a pool. At one point, I was sitting there on a float thinking, "We have it so tough. Here we are, shooting a music video in a pool - how much harder can it get than this?" It was a blast.
Michael: And you know for music videos, you have to wear cool clothes. Well, it was 90 degrees out, and we were wearing leather jackets. I was sweating through my shirt. Then, they told us we had to do one more scene, and we were like, "Really? We're exhausted." And they said to jump into the pool and drink beer, and we were like, "Oh, okay! Let's work!"
7. The EP has a total of five songs, four of which Michael has co-written, including "Ms. Marianne." What went in to the A&R, writing, and song selection for the EP?
Michael: It has a lot to do with our producer being an awesome writer and having his circle of friends that he likes to write with a lot - who make an incredible group of people - Marc Beeson, James Dean Hicks, and Marv Green. They all have number ones, so it can be a little intimidating writing with people with number ones. I'm a songwriter, but I'm not as accomplished at all as these people, and sometimes I end up learning a lot and contributing less, but I'm able to gain things for myself. Sometimes, I'm fortunate enough to lead these writes, and with "Ms. Marianne," it was such a great writing session for all of the writers; we were so excited about the story and the melody being so catchy. Being able to put in a line about a popsicle stick melting doesn't happen every day - it's an edgy turn. Jamie and I have been writing together since 2010, but writing for the music for the EP was all about maintaining the image for the band and the timeless 70s feel. We normally go to Chipotle halfway through the writing sessions to make sure priorities are taken care of, too.
8. Since you've brought up how the 70s is an inspiration for the group, how would you describe Levon's image, in a few words?
Michael: I would say that we are a lean, mean, fighting machine of three-part harmonies and an extreme appreciation for our influences. We are very much molded by the families we grew up in, because we all connect through music. We're a Country trio with a lot of vocals and a lot of heart.
Jake: Three brothers from other mothers trying to make the music that we like the most.
Ryan: Country trio of brothers from other mothers that like to sing.
Michael: Alright, that's enough!
9. As a new band, radio tour is a huge step in the start-up of your career. How has your experience been while on radio tour? Do you have any memorable moments so far?
Ryan: We've been on the radio tour since April, I think. We heard a lot of horror stories from people about how it's a lot of work and early mornings, and that you don't know where you are half the time. But, radio tour has been a blast, actually. When you're out there with your best friends, it makes it a lot easier than maybe being a solo artist. We've been fortunate go to a lot of really cool stations and be well-received.
Michael: Luckily, we're a band that sounds the best unplugged and playing acoustic. It's our bread and butter, and we will never get sick of playing without the microphones, when you can move around the room. The more intimate, the better.
Ryan: As strenuous as it's been - the long days in different cities all in the same day - it's been really gratifying and a blast.
10. Have you heard yourselves on the radio yet? If so, where were you, and what was that experience like?
Michael: Well, Ryan wasn't in the van, but Jake and I were in the van with our tour manager, Ms. Lauren, and it came up on SiriusXM's "The Highway." "Wired" was the song playing at that point, but now they're playing "Ms. Marianne." I was flipping out while Jake was driving, trying to take it in.
Jake: I was trying to keep us on the road through my excitement.
Michael: I whipped out Facebook Live, and you can see my reaction. I was freaking out! You always wonder what that's going to be like. I just thought we'd all be together for it...
Ryan: The first time I heard it was at an O'Charley's, so my story isn't as cool as yours. They were playing "The Highway," and I was sitting there, eating my appetizer sampler, and "Ms. Marianne" started playing. My parents were there - it was really cool. I just sat there with a big smile on my face the whole time.
Bonus Questions
We are more than halfway through 2017 now, and Levon has already started off with a bang. Record deal, an EP, touring the country, radio tour, and now a debut single being shipped to Country radio. How will you top the first half of the year, and what does the rest of the year look like for you guys?
Michael: The rest of the year is to be determined by what tour we'll be jumping on. I think we've proven that, by opening for people like Willie Nelson and Kelsea Ballerini, we've played for a wide spectrum of artists and their fans. We've had fun every time, and I think we've made fans every time. We need to hop on a tour and get in front of people, because if we're in front of people, we're gonna make some fans and have a blast doing it. So, hopefully we get on an opening slot with somebody.
Jake: So, if you're a big artist, reading this All Access interview, and you need a baller opening act, we'll take it.
Michael: Yeah, we're so proud of the work that we've done to get here, and right now we have five songs out, and it would feel really good to get the rest of them out, as well.
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