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Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
My name is TJ Lyle and I am the lead vocalist for The Georgia Thunderbolts. I also play harmonica and keyboards. Thanks for having us! We have been doing good! Just hanging out, working a little in the studio writing new material.
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Looking For An Old Friend”?
Looking for and Old Friend was the first original song we wrote together. We hope it is as special to our fans as it is to us.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
The Georgia Thunderbolts try to write songs that are timeless, classic and relatable worldwide. It was our first song written together as a whole and it turned out to be one of my favorites we do.
How was the filming process and experience behind the performance video?
The filming process was fantastic. We were introduced to a great videographer Jim Arbogast and he fit right in with the Thunderbolt family. We couldn’t have gotten a better partner to work with for the video!
The single comes off your new self-titled album – why naming the record after the band?
I think we named it after ourselves to really promote who we are and to say that we’re not gonna hide behind our name! We are upfront and personal with our fans and want to make them feel included in this as much as we are!
How was the recording and writing process?
The recording process was fantastic. Our produceer Richard Young and engineer David Barrick helped shape our album. They have grown our sound so much! The writing process is always the same we all get in a room and go for it! I write the lyrics and melodies the fellas write the music it’s a one two punch!
How has Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd influenced your writing?
Being that Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd are two opposites I believe they had the same goal, that was to appeal to their audiences. My favorite Young era was Crazyhorse/Buffalo Springfield era and the early Skynyrd stuff is fantastic. The writers I really look to when I write are people like Chris Cornell, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ray Charles and John Fogerty. People who wrote what they felt and weren’t afraid to stand behind it.
How did you go on balancing your classic southern rock roots with the much modern sensibilities in particular?
It’s just a natural process for us because we don’t force anything. What you hear from us may come from our inspirations. It’s how we live our live everyday. I write about the things I’ve experienced and the things I live by. That’s day to day for me.
Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
I find the inspiration from everyday life! I try and write about things that are positive and uplifting. It’s easy to find negativity but it’s definitely worth the find when it’s something positive!
What else is happening next in The Georgia Thunderbolts’ world?
We’re just waiting on the world to open back up so we can play live and meet our fans! We’re also writing more material. The Georgia Thunderbolts are always working on our craft!
