Nice use of that phrase from Wilco, I think..

Tift Merritt Is Trying To Break Your Heart

After one listen to Tift Merritt’s new album, Another Country, one thing is apparent: Tift Merritt is bringing soul back to country music. And not just by adding depth to a genre that sold it soul to the masses many moons ago. No, Merritt is bringing honest to God rhythm and blues.

Another Country is Merritt’s second album produced by George Drakoulias, he produced her 2004 album Tambourine, as well as some of the best sounding records of th 90s including The Black Crowes The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion and Tomorrow The Green Grass by The Jayhawks. While the album sounds amazing, Merritt uses it to showcase her songwriting ability.

According to her website, tiftmerritt.com, the writing process for the song started during an extended stay in Paris. “When I did come home from Paris, I had the seeds of this record in my notebook. Over the course of the next year or so, I returned to Cecile’s piano several times. Christian’s brother Patrice helped me practice the lyrics to Mille Tendresses before debuting them at a small Paris show. He scolded me very sweetly while we sang and danced around the room. But there were other places now, other towns and many hands that helped me sing these songs and grow this record very gently. Like a postcard having taken the long way around from some place far away and deep inside, I send these songs to you and thank all the dear people who have helped us both on our way.”

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain recently spoke to Merritt about Another Country and how soul music can resonate both happy and sad.

Pop Rock Candy Mountain (PRCM): When and where did you record Another Country?
Tift Merrit (TM): I recorded Another Country this past summer in California at David Bianco’s studio with my longtime band and Charlie Sexton and Doug Pettibone guesting on guitar.

PRCM: Was there a certain sound that you were going for in the studio? What were some things that you were listening to before and during its recording?
TM: I wanted this record to feel like one person talking directly to another person. I wanted it to never take direct communication for granted. I did not want it to be showy or in someone’s face, but more a sonic outstretched hand, an invitation. I was listening a lot to (Van Morrison’s) Vleedon Fleece before we recorded.

PRCM: I love the Muscle Shoals vibe of Tell Me Something True. What inspired its sound?
TM: I always want to write songs that go beyond a genre. I had this idea that was extremely personal about how maybe all I wanted from anybody close to me was just to tell me the truth, or maybe that was the best I could give someone else. Which could be a really sad idea. But I didn’t want it to be sad or in mourning or too heavy and introverted. I wanted it to have this kind of really strong structure, a don’t-look-back groove, a resilience. And that Muscle Shoals feel was just right for that. That feel has a great way of being face to face with truth or sadness and carrying on despite it.

PRCM: Explain your songwriting process. How do you turn an idea into a song? Do you keep making demos (ala Springsteen) until you find something you’re happy with?
TM: I wish I could explain my process easily. Usually, in the best situation, it is just a outpouring of lots of difference pieces and ideas and I just follow one until it leads to another. I don’t demo a lot. I get lost in whatever I am writing a lot. Once I am underway with an idea worth sinking my teeth into, I work to finish the music structure and then I work on getting the lyric just right at the end. For days. But I do think the music and the lyric have to start off together and stay married.

PRCM: Do you find the recording process or performing live more fulfilling?
TM: They are really, really different. The studio is very intense mentally. Live performance is very intense physically. I like them both, but what I really like best is writing…

PRCM: What are your plans for 2008?
TM: I plan to get very well acquainted with my new suitcase and do a lot of touring and traveling.