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Shotgun Soul's New Album 'Takes You Where You Need To Go'

December 06, 2013, 12:34 PM by  Karolina Powalka

Shotgun Soul first formed in 2010. Since then the band has gone through several personnel changes resulting in its current lineup consisting of 8 members. Lead singer, Liz Girard describes their music as “an old school sound with a modern twist.” On Saturday, the band will be releasing its first full-length album, Aphrodesia, at the Detroit Pub in Clinton Township.

What’s the story behind your album title?

Liz: We had come up with a bunch of different names and nothing was sticking. So, we became resigned to the fact that it would be self-titled. Then right at the last minute, Steve came up with the title, Aphrodesia.

Steve: It’s playing off the idea of an aphrodisiac. In this case, music is the turn-on because that’s what music is for us.


Liz Girard and the boys of Shotgun Soul.
(Photo/Marc Nader)

Shotgun Soul has been around for several years. Why did you wait to release your first album?

Jesse: We’ve been making this album for about two years. As our band goes, we had this original lineup that consisted of two guitarists, a bassist and Liz. We wrote and recorded songs and we liked them but we kept searching for the sound we wanted. So, we kept adding members and instruments and as we did that, the songs changed. The whole making of the record is completely parallel with the making of our band. It was so fun learning to become something and finding our sound.

Liz: What’s cool about the album is that it’s a mixture of songs that we’ve had for a couple years and songs that we wrote in the last couple months. There are also songs that have transformed over time to what they are now. For example, the lyrics in our song “Boom Boom” were one way and then Steve had the idea to change one tiny thing and it transformed the whole song. That’s what’s cool about having so many people in the band. We have so many different filters and opinions. I think that’s great because we have a broader idea of what people will like and it makes you a better musician.

We could have released this album a year ago but it wouldn’t have been right. We held out and gave it the tender love and care that it needed and we got the sound that we wanted.

What’s your favorite song on the album and why?

Jesse: I like “Rock a Bye” because Liz and Steve did this amazing vocal that was the easiest I’ve cut in forever. When I listen to that song, I hear how natural it is. It’s not a hundred takes of anything. The other one is “Hot Sugar” because there are so many different sounds in it. We’ve been through so many different iterations of it, too. It’s gone through like 10 different evolutions.

Liz: I have two. First, “Rock a Bye” simply because of the fact that it’s my favorite song lyrically that I’ve ever written. It’s the most personal and it was a song that I wrote for myself during a really hard time. I don’t have those magic moments where it takes a half hour to pour it all out and it’s done. This song was like that. It’s a real song with real feelings and a lot of people will be able to relate to it.

The other one is “Animals” which is funny because it was the hardest song to record. I hated it the entire time. But one day, we went into the studio and it finally clicked.

Bill: “New Orleans” because it’s a dirty, nasty song. That song was one of our weakest and it’s become one of our strongest.

How has this album affected you as a band?

Liz: It brought us all a lot closer together. One thing that helps is that we’re a family. Outside of being a band, we really care about each other as people. We make a good team and respect each other which helps when we need to approach each other about different things. This album has been kind of like making a baby. We put so much into it and now we get to see what it looks and feels like. We had a music baby.

You recently released your first music video for the song “Just Fine.” It’s very unconventional. Tell me about making it.

Liz: Greg Deliso filmed and produced the video. The only thing that I specifically wanted was a cool, old car with chicks in it. We gave him free reign with the rest of it. It’s definitely quirky and we’re a quirky bunch. I like that it captured our personalities and the fact that we don’t take ourselves that seriously. We’re fun.

How has the response been?

Liz: Good! I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what the hell people would think. It was our first music video. Even though it wasn’t on a large scale, it was still our introduction to people who haven’t heard or seen you. That’s nerve racking because it’s our first impression. But, if they take away that we’re a fun group of people who like to make music then that’s all I can ask for.

What are the details of the CD release party?

Liz: It’s Dec. 7 at the Detroit Pub in Clinton Township. Cover is $5. One of the acts playing is Nadir and his band who are amazing. I was pretty stoked and kind of surprised that we were able to get them because we hold them to such a high regard. The other band is Anna Lee’s Company. They describe themselves as funk-grass. We’ve been working on a new song with Caleb Gutierrez (of the Infatuations) and he’s going to be making a guest appearance, as well.

The goal of the evening is to make it a great music show from the beginning to the end. If you are a fan of just music, in general. I think this will be a show for everyone.

Why choose a location not in Detroit?

Liz: One of the main reasons we chose that location is a. it’s a central location and b. because their owner has a great reputation with musicians. A lot of venues don’t treat musicians properly and Paul from the Detroit Pub is awesome. You need to give credit to where credit is due.

Ultimately, what’s the goal with this album and the release party?

Liz: Hopefully, we can be able to make you feel good or bring you back to a memory. I think that’s the most amazing thing about music. It has that ability to take you anywhere you need to go.

Aphrodesia’s Track List

1. Boom Boom
2. Animals
3. New Orleans
4. Rock a Bye
5. Just Fine
6. Don't Wanna Think About It
7. Hot Sugar

Learn more about the release party here.



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