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Born and raised in a sleepy mountain town in Northern Idaho, singer-songwriter Jeff Crosby creates critically acclaimed music that has landed him in the sometimes indefinable genres of folk, rock, and Americana. Writing about the rare beauty found in his travels and the unconventional stories of the people and places he has encountered along the way, he has that rare gift of sounding like he does not belong to any specific era. It’s this timelessness that has allowed him to spend the last decade sharing the stage with an array of performers including Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Charley Crockett, Wide Spread Panic, American Aquarium, Nikki Lane and many more.
His songs present almost as pages ripped out of an intimately personal diary, capturing what it means to have loved, lost and kept on the move. There seems to be no shortage of inspiration as Crosby is one of the last few “troubadours” that truly lives the life he sings about. His music has been favorably compared to great singer-songwriters from Dylan to Van Zandt to Earle.
Can you talk to us more about your song “Laramie”?
Yeah…it’s a song I wrote with my friend Micky Braun in Austin, TX while going through a rough breakup and out on the road. The album was mostly done but I really wanted to get this song on it. When I got back to Nashville I called my friend Geoff Piller at Electric Thunder studios and thankfully he had a few days free. Pretty much cut everything in one day and had Ken Coomer cut the drums at his studio in East Nashville. It just fell together really fast and felt kinda like therapy at the time. I was a mess coming back into town knowing my relationship was over and drinking pretty heavy. Needed the distraction and felt good to get it out.
Did any event, in particular, inspire you to write this song?
When the gal and I split up I was going through memories over and over in my head of the past year or so. I guess just trying to figure out how it all fell apart so fast. One of my favorite memories of us was on this road trip and staying in small towns and cheap hotels. We stayed a night in Laramie, WY and went out to a bunch of bars and just kinda wandered around downtown. It was super cold and windy and normally not the most enjoyable time to be there but I remember having such a great time with her. Ya know that point in a relationship where it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing as long as you’re together?
It’s always a fleeting thing…that curiosity and comfort of a new person. Guess that’s what the songs about. Wishing we could go back to that feeling more so than the place.
What can you tell us about your new album coming in 2020?
It’s gonna be a unique album in how it’ll sit in my catalog. And it’s a big one for me as it’s my 5th full length which feels like a milestone for some reason. I’ve been on tour pretty nonstop the past 2 years so I really had to cherish the time I had to be alone and write. Had a good amount of material when I went into the studio with Gregg Williams in Portland, OR last spring but still felt I needed a few more songs to round out the album. Flew out to Boston and spent 3 days writing with my friend Micky Braun and got 4 or 5 songs out of the trip. Then went through a breakup and pretty much wrote another albums worth of songs. Went back in the studio in Nashville with 30 or so songs to choose from. Pretty happy with the 12 we chose for the album.
How was the recording and writing process?
Lonely. And drunk.
How did the process of putting together this LP differ from your previous releases?
Well…I didn’t have a deadline or specific date of when it needed to be done so I really got to mine through a ton of material for this album. My life has been pretty crazy the past few years. Lots of friends dying and having kids and all that. I’m not in my 20’s anymore so…I’d say my perspective has changed quite a bit. As I mentioned above I’ve been touring pretty relentlessly as I took a gig playing guitar with my friends Reckless Kelly this summer for a few months also. That as well as touring with my band made it hard to find the time to get in the studio and finish it but now that it’s done I’m really happy there wasn’t a rush to put something out.
What role does Nashville play in your music?
Well…it’s where I’ve lived the past couple years. There’s so many talented people there and it’s inspiring to be around so many songwriters and players so I’d say that’s the biggest role that town has played in my music. The people I’ve met there. It’s an inspiring place to be when I’m not touring. I wouldn’t call myself a “Nashville artist” though. I’m not really from there ya know? I’m from up in the mountains in Idaho and still go there when I close my eyes and think about where “home” is. Mostly Nashville is a place I can go to write and get into the studio and work when I’m not on the road.
What aspect of your life did you get to explore on this LP?
I guess not being in my 20’s anymore? I don’t feel as invincible as I used to at 32. Coming to terms with it all. Failed relationships and loneliness and drinking and drugs and living on the road and trying to keep my head above water but still be able to laugh about it. I’d say I explored all aspects of my life while writing this album. It’s just all of it.
Where else did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
Staring into a wood burning stove in my parents log cabin in Donnelly, ID.
What’s the hardest part about being a full-time touring musician?
Holding relationships together has been tough for me. With family, friends, lovers. And coming home. I have a hard time adjusting to home life. Being on the road is all about the chase ya know? Waking up and getting a coffee and off to the next town or city. It’s addicting and I find myself having a hard time just staying in when I’m home. That’s why Idaho has been such a blessing in my life. It’s the only place I can truly turn off my phone and disconnect and not feel like there’s somewhere else I need to be. When I’m in Nashville I can’t resist going out on the town every night I’m there. There’s a lot of aspects of touring that aren’t necessarily glamorous but whatever. It’s all I’ve ever done so I don’t really see it like it’s “hard”. It’s just doing the work ya know? Doin the thing.
What else is happening next in jeff Crosby’s world?
Well we played in Phoenix last night and after the gig we found this bar called “The Dirty Drummer”. Got to chatting with the owner and we had tonight off so we’re gonna play an acoustic set tonight just for the hell of it. I hate days off on the road and we just like to play. Then we’re gonna pick up some mushrooms tomorrow and go play this campout festival in southern Arizona with Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers. I love tripping in the desert and it’s the last show of this tour. 26 shows in 29 days and went clear across the country and back so…it’s been a wild one. Then we drive up to Boise, ID for our 4th annual homecoming run. 3 sold out nights in our old stomping grounds and it’s just a blast.
