Clayton Bellamy, Canadian Country singer and songwriter notable from being in the Country band The Road Hammers. Interview July 31, 2013
Clayton Bellamy Interview
1. How was it recording and writing the album Five Crow Silver?
Clayton Bellamy: This record was the most fun and most challenging record I have ever made. The most fun because I got to work with so many great talents and musical hero’s Like Garth Hudson, Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton, Gordie Johnson, Tom Wilson, Ian McLagan, Bobby Keys, and so on. Most Challenging because I was pushing musical boundaries more than I ever had before and tackling subject matter I had never done before. Thanks to my Co-Producer Scott Baggett, he pushed me to sing better than I think I ever had and play better than I ever had before.
2. Making albums now – is it quicker and easier to do compared to the days of the Road Hammers?
No, I always find making records a painful process. I tend to compare it to child birth (although I personally have never given birth). You start with this seed of an idea and you have to form it into this living breathing thing with all these moving parts and pieces and feelings and then put it on a record and send it out into the world to do what it will. This can be painstakingly hard and emotionally taxing but probably not like pushing a watermelon through a water hose…
3. How much touring will you be doing this summer?
I will be doing a lot of touring this year! The only way in my mind to get your music out there is to bring it to people. I will be pushing hard on the road as well I will be on my radio show on 103.9 CISN fm hosting the Drive Home Show from 2-7 five days a week when I am not on the road.
4. What equipment are you currently endorsing, etc.
I personally don’t endorse anything I don’t actually use all the time. I am currently using Sennheiser mic’s on the road and my guitar rig consists of a customized Epiphone nick Valenci Riviera and a 1974 Gibson Les Paul with Seymour Duncan custom Soap Bar P90’s and S.I.T. 10-52 strings. I use monster cables and run into a Traynor Iron Horse with a 4×12 stereo cabinet.
5. Without Social Media could bands today manage to survive?
No! Social media is key in today’s musical landscape for not only interacting with fans but also booking shows, and selling records.
6. Who would be your earliest influences in life?
I think my early musical influences were singer songwriters with loud guitars. Steve Earle, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen. Storytellers who had songs with a mission.
7. What would be some of your main influences today?
I think I still gravitate towards the same type of music but I now purposely search out new artists and new kinds of music to inspire me to create.
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
I have huge vinyl collection at home and LOVE to Spin records.
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Being on tour is always a chaotic experience. There is so much to do before actual show time. For me a typical days is early morning work out, Press if there is any in the town we are in, update social media, sound check, phone in to the radio show to record cut in’s while I am away and then show time. Of course there is always other things to go do see and try while you’re on the road, so there is never a dull moment!
10. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
I think music will continue to be easier to access and more instant to people than ever before. At the same time I think more people will go back to searching for that intimate experience with their favorite bands by putting on a Vinyl record and just listening to music!
Extra Questions with Clayton Bellamy
Life without music would be : Sad
Favorite movie : Fear and loathing in Las Vegas
Favorite sport : Motocross
Favorite food : Mom’s Zucchini casserole
Favourite drink : Milk
Favourite saying : Wan’t to make God laugh? Tell him your plans!
Favourite car : 1969 GTO Judge
Favourite book : The Shack
Favourite band : Right now? Serena Ryder
Star Wars or Star Trek : BOTH!
PC or Mac : Mac