“Willie Nelson could probably whip my ass. People who smoke that much pot don’t fight like normal, sober people. They o weird shit, so I would not fight with Willie Nelson”
JASON Isbell hasn’t long been in London when he talks to Uncut. He has flown into town to join his wife, Amanda Shires, who is on tour with John Prine. The pair will hook up again in Dublin; meanwhile, Isbell is doing some light press duties ahead of the release of his new album, The Nashville Sound. Recorded with his band the 400 Unit, it is the follow-up to Southeastern and Something More Than Free, his two most successful albums since leaving Drive-By Truckers in 2007.
“You should challenge yourself more as you get better at writing,” says Isbell. “You should reach farther and try to do things that are harder than when you were 21 or 22. But the process of songwriting is the same. Lather, rinse, repeat – and repeat and repeat ’til you’ve rinsed everything out and it’s clean. You chisel away at it until you’ve got the bare necessities.”
What was the best advice Willie Nelson gave you? Sarah Lee, Glasgow
I didn’t get any advice, but he kissed my wife. He didn’t know she was my wife at the time. She had just gotten to the tour and he got us all up onstage to do the long medley at the end. Amanda came up, too, and towards the end Willie took his headband off, put it on her head and kissed her right on the mouth. After the show she said, “I thought you might be angry.” I said, “It’s Willie Nelson. First of all, he’s 82 years old. Second of all, he could probably whip my ass.” People who smoke that much pot don’t fight like normal, sober people. They’ll kick you in the ankle, then pee on you. They do weird shit, so I would not fight with Willie Nelson.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kim Gordon: La Ghosts & Flowers
As KIM GORDON prepares to release No Home Record – her brilliant debut solo album – she takes stock of her consistently adventurous career so far. To discuss: her early days in New York’s Downtown, cooking with Neil Young and the perils of gentrification. “Life is unexpected,” she tells Tom Pinnock
Tinariwen: Even Nomads Get The Blues
A lot has changed for TINARIWEN since they became superstars of desert rock’n’roll. But their Saharan homeland remains as troubled as ever. We track the band down in Morocco, where Michael Bonner hears tales of exile, insurgency and belonging. “As long as people are oppressed, there will be room for protest music,” they explain
Angel Olsen: Her Bright Materials
Welcome to Asheville, North Carolina, where ANGEL OLSEN is poised to release her new album, All Mirrors. Erin Osmon joins the singer-songwriter at home to discuss heartbreak, fantasy property deals and her latest bold pop experiment. “Sometimes your dreams are not what they seem,” she says
“I Was Insatiable!”
From a back garden in Epsom to the stage of the O2 – via Bombay, New York, Marrakesh and Beijing – join us as JIMMY PAGE guides us through 60 years’ worth of his marvellous adventures. CliffRichard! Exorcisms! “A cauldron of inspiration”! There are road trips with The Yardbirds, magical recording sessions at Headley Grange, his ongoing relationship with Robert Plant and the vast musical legacy of Led Zeppelin to consider. “I was dealt a very good hand,” Page tells Michael Odell. “And I like to think I played it well.”
'I Was Pretty Bad At Being A Pop Star'
Riding high on the back of Bon Iver’s endorsement and his finest album in years, the piano master discusses the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, cryogenics and appearing in “some of the worst videos ever made”
The Go-Betweens - G Stands For Go-Betweens: Volume 2 – 1985–1989 Domino
Australian indie ambassadors’ golden age showcased in opulent style.
It's Too Late To Stop Now
Has VAN MORRISON mellowed at last? After yet another remarkable period in his ongoing creative renaissance, the Celtic soul warrior is on good form as he talks R&B, transcendence and mythical bootlegs with Graeme Thomson. “I didn’t know what the hell I was doing for quite a while,” he reveals
Robert Plant - Digging Deep
ESPARANZA 7/10 Percy on 45! A boxset of 7”s traces Plant’s post-Zep progress. By Michael Bonner
Leonard Cohen - Thanks For The Dance
The poet’s intimate musical postscript.
'I'll Tell You The Full Story…'
During the past 12 months, a series of lavish boxsets have tracked DAVID BOWIE’s early development throughout 1968 and 1969. As this comprehensive archeological survey concludes with Conversation Piece, long-serving producer TONY VISCONTI relives the highs and lows of Bowie’s breakthrough. There are ham sandwiches, Marc Bolan impressions, the peerless “Space Oddity”, and tearful studio interludes… but, most importantly, we learn how the music made during this brief but pivotal period critically influenced one superstar in the making: David Bowie himself…
