The White Buffalo – Year of The Dark Horse

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

A) Describing and categorizing my sound has always been a difficult thing to do. I’ve always just tried to let songs lead. That being said, I have generally been placed in acoustic and American roots, but with this last album have expanded into grander sonic landscapes where it’s even harder to define. The ultimate goal is to have your own sound. Where the listener can absorb a few bars or a verse and know it’s you.

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?

A) I’ve always felt most inspired and looked up to songwriters. People who move me with words and melody such as Elliott Smith, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

Q) Tell us about the stories behind your current singles “Love Will Never Come/Spring’s Song,” “C’mon Come Up Come Out” and “She Don’t Know That I Lie.”

A) The whole album follows the main character throughout the seasons of calendar year. Those three songs are spring into summer. It’s our antihero emerging from the physical and emotional darkness of winter and finding light and love in the rebirth of spring.

Q) You also released music videos for each of these songs. What made you decide to release three videos alongside your new album?

A) I actually made videos for every song on this album – twelve songs, twelve videos. The idea was to make a short film as a visual companion to the album. I got four directors, each taking three song sections, one season into the next. So, Act 1 is winter into spring, Act 2 is spring into summer and so on. Then, we put them all together to create a true audio visual experience. We just released the videos for Act 3 and Act 4 is coming at the top of February.

Q) Since the album’s release, what has been the overall reaction to Year of The Dark Horse from fans and listeners?

A) For this album I wanted to abandon genre, escape the trappings of acoustic instruments and make a record were every song bled into the next and followed, not only a lyrical journey but a more expansive sonic journey. It’s been extremely positive. I think some of the new sounds and production, scared a few people on the first couple listens. But it’s a grower – one of those albums that continues to engage and unfold new secrets with each listen.

Q) I absolutely love the song “Life Goes On!” Which song off this album was your favorite to record and why?

A) They are all my babies, but “Am I Still a Child” cuts pretty deep. That song was conceived after a conversation with my son. He asked whether he’d ever be “happy again” like he was when he was young. A lot of the songs on this album are personal, but that one carries a lot of weight from that moment.

Q) You are also set to perform some shows this month into the new year and kick off an East Coast tour in 2023, as well as open for Bruce Springsteen in May. How did the opportunity to open for Springsteen come about?

A) We’ve been working with the same promoters in Italy for years. They aren’t just colleagues; they are great friends. They submitted and pushed for us supporting “The Boss.” I’m forever grateful.

Q) Which song(s) off this new album have you been enjoying performing live?

A) I’m playing keys on the opening track “Not Today” which is new, exciting and terrifying all at once. I’m also just singing, with microphone in hand on “Love Song #3.” No baby blanket guitar to hide behind. Just gliding around the stage like a big sexy ape.

Q) If you could collaborate with anyone on a new project, who would it be?

A) That’s always a hard question. I got to work with producer Jay Joyce on this last album. He really was like a fourth member of the band and helped shape and push us and this record to its farthest limits.

As far as another artist, Maybe T. Swift/Pain or Orville Peck.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

A) Thank you for allowing me to be me. I’ve always chased songs and sounds for the sole purpose of emotion and art. Never for fame or fortune.  I appreciate that they allow me to do that and are open enough to follow me to some more experimental places.