Sterling Drake – The Shape I’m In

By: Karen Steinberg

Q) Often artists are boxed in by having to note a genre, but how would you describe the music that you make? 

A) I try not to get too caught up in labels, but if I had to describe it, I’d say my music lives somewhere in the broad web of roots music with a country focus. I’m equally inspired by Irish artists like Paul Brady, Appalachian storytellers like Merle Travis or folk singers like the great Woody Guthrie. Whether a new song or an old standard, I want my songs to feel lived-in like they’ve been passed down through time. 

Q) You’ve been compared to the likes of Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt and Strait and Jones. Who are some of your musical influences? 

A) Well, I would take that as a great compliment. Willie and Townes are definitely big influences both in songwriting and the way they carved out their own paths. I’ve always admired the way George Strait could deliver a song with such ease, and the grit in Jones’ voice is unmatched. Beyond them, I pull a lot from folks like Ian Tyson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Marty Robbins and Guy Clark. 

Q) Talk about the story behind your song “In My Dreams.” 

A) “In My Dreams” is one of those songs that just sort of showed up fully formed. It’s about embracing the journey of pursuing your dreams despite the insecurity that comes with it. It’s about that feeling of chasing something that’s just out of reach. 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it? 

A) The video leans into the dreamlike quality of the song. The footage consists largely of Super 8 film that me and Talyor Hoover captured last year. We wanted to capture that feeling of drifting between reality and memory, so we played with hazy, vintage aesthetics and scenes that feel both familiar and distant. It’s about movement, always moving but never quite arriving. 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It’s different every time. Sometimes a melody will get stuck in my head first and the lyrics follow. Other times, I’ll have a phrase or a line that I know needs a home and I’ll build everything else around it. I try to stay open to; however, the song wants to come through. But I do think the best songs come from real experience whether it’s your own or something you’ve seen in someone else. 

Q) Thorleifur Davidsson lent a hand on the production of your new album. Talk about working with the two-time Grammy winner. 

A) Thor was absolutely elemental to the creation of this record. He understands how to bring out the raw emotion in a song without overcomplicating it. Working with him was a real honor; he has such an instinct for letting a song breathe. He knew when to push for something bigger and when to strip it down to its most honest form. 

Q) Your debut album The Shape I’m In comes out in May. What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it?

A) A lot of the record deals with movement physically, emotionally and spiritually. There are songs about the road, about love lost and found and about trying to figure out where you belong. There’s a weight to it, but I think there’s also hope in the idea that change is constant. 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

A) I’ve played everywhere from honky tonks in Texas to small-town rodeos and cowboy bars in Montana to stages overseas, and every place has its own magic. But there’s something about playing in Montana that always feels like home. Performing music at the Buck Brannaman horsemanship clinic outside of Milan was unforgettable. Playing in Europe has also been eye-opening. Iceland and Ireland have been some of the greatest experiences thus far. 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future? 

A) That’s a tough one. There are so many great artists out there. I’d love to write with someone like James McMurtry—he has such a way with words. Or do a duet with someone like my friend Sierra Ferrell. Timbo and I are overdue to write one… 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Lately, I’ve been on a big Roger Miller kick. I’ve also been digging into some old Ian Tyson records—his ability to paint landscapes with his words is something I really admire. 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I’d just say thank you. Making music is one thing, but having folks out there who take the time to listen, come to shows and connect with the songs—that means everything. I don’t take that for granted.