Good Old War Releases "Part of Me"
Good Old War is finally, finally, back together again, and our favorite guitarist, Dan Schwartz (also known as Danny Black), was kind enough to give us some insight into what went into the making of their September 1st release, “Part of Me.” With the rejoining of drummer Tim Arnold, the band is back and really better than they’ve ever been before.
How is "Part Of Me" different from your previous work? "Broken Into Better Shape" definitely had a different vibe from your three earlier albums, so are you taking these new songs back toward the pop genre, or are you going back to your roots?
DS: I think this is the most honest record we could make. There was no thought at all about what we wanted the sound to be. It's just what we actually sound like when we play. We tried to write the best songs we could, let everyone's ideas be heard and trusted each other's input. Everyone played and sang so well. We knew that if we played together and made a record that represented us as we truly sound in a room with great songs then we'd be happy. For the last record we had to think more about what we wanted to sound like because we had lost a crucial piece of our band. Having Tim back has really reinvigorated us and we're better now than ever.
What can you tell me about the writing process? Tim's back! Has anything changed in the way the three of you work together, since it's been a little while? Or does it feel like no time has passed at all?
DS: It's really been truly amazing having Tim back in the band. We've been through so much together. There really isn't anyone else that could have replaced him so we didn't even try. There's so many aspects to it. The way that our voices blend, the way my guitar goes with his drums, the way he and Keith work together, his always creative input and his sense of humor are such a huge part of who we are. I would definitely say it feels like time has passed, but in a good way. We're much wiser and much more thankful for our second chance than we might have been had we not gone through such difficult times. Our writing process has become much more collaborative. It still starts with Keith or I bringing in an idea, but now we flesh every single thing out from there together. Our trust has grown and I can say for sure that I don't consider any of my songs done until the guys work on it with me.
What do these new songs mean to you? Do they reflect any significant life changes? What kind of feeling will listeners get?
DS: These are really raw and true songs. They came out of conversations we've had with each other or our personal experiences which we share as a family. So many times I'll have a conversation with Tim or Keith and that'll immediately inspire a lyric or musical idea. There's not a lot to hide behind in our band. We're a trio with acoustic instruments at the core of our sound so it only makes sense that our songs will be personal. Plus we all sing together so much that we want everyone to really feel what they're singing about. I think we let whatever was happening in our lives on any given day come out in the songs we were writing and were as honest as we could be.
Do you have a favorite album of yours? Where does "Part Of Me" fit in?
DS: I really love each one for what it is. It's tough to say because they all represent where we were at any given moment and they al have something I am very proud of in them. I can say with absolute confidence though that these EPs are my favorite music we've ever made. For me it's our band fully embracing who we are and what we sound like while also writing the best music we've ever written.
Where can we see you next?
DS: November 5th at Union Transfer with Josh Ritter.
"Part of Me" already holds a special place in my heart. It's brought me closer to these guys in a personal way that I really never would have imagined. If you told me a year ago that I'd have the chance to interview these guys several times and even hang out with them at their home studio, I would have said you were crazy. It makes me so happy that this trio is a trio again, and if "Part of Me" holds any indication of what the next two EPs will be like, then I have nothing but high expectations.
You can stream "Part of Me" everywhere now, and make sure to read our previous interview with Danny Black about his solo "Adventure Soundtrack," and our reaction to Good Old War's World Cafe Live show in August.