Michael Lawson is drowning in Tears And Whiskey on his soulful new single — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Seattle-born, Alabama-based roots rocker Lawson remembers going to concerts when the only lights found in the audience came from cigarette lighters. The dichotomy between that memory and today’s cell phone-oriented concertgoers was a seed of inspiration for Tears And Whiskey, the latest single from his album Tennessee River Shakedown. For Lawson, it’s a song that speaks to his own grown children finding their way in a world where seas of social media can swallow one’s sense of self-worth.
“Ive been watching my adult kids struggle with issues of identity,” he says. “And I was amazed, especially post-pandemic, that whenever I went to concerts folks seemed to be spending more time taking videos of themselves at the concert than actually watching the band. All of that gave me a real appreciation for how today’s focus on individual ‘brands’ can actually make it hard for folks to discover and assert who they are. And that struggle for identity and individuality can be even harder in small towns that have been hit hard by changing economics.”
Tears And Whiskey is a breezy, summer-tinged pop song with sweet backing harmonies courtesy of Lawson and Jimbo Hart, who produced the single and plays bass on it. Lawson sings about getting away from the mundane routine that small-town America can impose. In short, it’s about living life to the fullest regardless of your locale:
“These lonely streets aren’t what’s breaking you
Everybody’s too hot
Let’s find a place where the water’s blue
I want to feel your grace, ’cause I’m not another face in the crowd.”
“Those kinds of towns can be the lifeblood of a country,” Lawson says. “But finding yourself and building the kind of future you want is more difficult than ever before in small town and rural North America. So that’s what I am playing with lyrically in the tune — the struggle for identity, meaning making, happiness, and social welfare in small-town North America.”
The single has Lawson in his finest form, with a vibe that could give the likes of Big Star, John Mayer or Jason Mraz a run for the money. The guitar work of Lawson, Will McFarlane and Gary Nichols is key to guiding the song, while keyboardist Brad Kuhn adds subtle, tender touches throughout. Toss in a smidgeon of ’60s soul emanating from drummer Justin Holder and Tears And Whiskey will leave you fully satisfied.
Lawson recorded the single at the iconic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a recording space that has hosted greats from Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding to Steven Tyler, Alan Jackson and Drive-By Truckers.
Check out Tears And Whiskey above, hear more from Michael Lawson below, and buy him a drink at his website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
