Adam Douglas - My all personal blend of American Roots music from where I came from is a pretty good description of what my music is all about

‘Better Angels’ is the third album by Adam Douglas. Born and raised in Oklahoma, USA this singer-songwriter/guitarist has been living in Norway for over 10 years now. Besides touring to promote his albums ‘I May Never Learn’ and ‘Beauty & The Brawn’, he also did a lot of studio and live session work there with artists like Jon Bon Jovi, Larry Carlton, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Vidar Busk, Robben Ford, Kirk Fletcher, Ten Years After, Chris Medina and Michael Landau. He draws his inspiration from the beautiful nature of his new homeland and the ‘rich’ melting pot of culture and music; through Howlin' Wolf, Sam Cooke and Ray Charles onward to Tom Petty, Billy Joel and Joe Jackson. A beautiful and varied disc that will stick to your ribs if you like that typical singer-songwriter with a wink to a broad pallet of musical styles that warms hearts without sounding too clammy. Following this release, we had a nice conversation with Adam Douglas.

You are originally from Oklahoma in the States but have lived in Norway for the last 13 years? How did you end up there ?
It’s kind of a typical story. Like a lot people in that times I was on tour and traveling and I met a girl, and she is my wife now. It’s a romantic story, a typical but a nice one. I was on tour as guest with a band. We had our very first concert on a Sunday night, kind of crazy it was the right thing to do.

And Norway as country, has this a influence on your career and things?
When I was growing up in the States I moved around a lot. I was always chasing something, I never felt comfortable myself. Till I came to Norway, here I found a sort of inner peace. It have a lot to do with the nature, absolute overwhelmed. The air is fresher, it smells so much better here. The people here welcome you with open arms here, that’s nice to. But most of all, they give you the private you need. I’m always been kind of anti-social , and here I find inner peace in many ways. I’m not like that typical busy American, so it felt good coming here. Also in my family, generations back, where from Scandinavia so in some strange way it feels like coming home, moving to Norway.

Nice story. What have been the highs and lows over the years so far? Some milestones?
I doing this long enough to have very much experience, that makes it difficult to find out the real lows or highs. Or to tell about the milestones. I have play in about every size of gig to put it this way. Hugh concerts for a lot people, and very small clubs. There where good ones, worse experience en really good to shitty gigs. The biggest milestone was something unexpected. There was a Norway TV program. Not my thing really, I said ‘no’ to this kind of things for a long time. It was something like a ‘battle of the stars’ thing. I finally said yes because I had nothing to lose. And I won that contest. It’s crazy because my music is not a competition. But it did open some doors. Since then I have something stable doing really my thing, it was a awakening for my carrier. That program was sure a real milestone for me and my carrier. It’s not something I would recommend for everyone, but for some weird reason it worked out for me. It’s was a conformation for stuff I was doing true all this years.

And Lows?
Well you can use you imagination. Playing in any shit hole there is, some bad gigs who were going complete wrong. I think that are some low moments, that every artist of band have in a carrier.  There were some miserable experience, yes..

I have read in an interview that your passion for music, i quote, ''was kind of an accident!'' Can you tell more about that?
In a way it’s not my passion for music that was kind of an accident. But the way I write my story with music. See, in my family there was really nobody doing something with music, so I had no example or something to start with play music myself in that way. But I start in a new school when I was very young, and don’t know anyone there. I had one friend there. I really was follow him around and on the lunch break I follow him to the music room. And there were just he, me and the music teacher and she was holding auditions  for a school camp. She ask to sing some frames and things. To play piano and things, it was the first time I really sing anything. For some reason I felt I enjoin doing that, like every child searching for a main thing. I found out that’s what I love doing. Soo in that way it came a little bit ‘by accident’. It took some time to start professional after that, but it was a start of everything that moment follow a friend to that place and the music teacher guide me the way.

Again a nice story, it also proves meeting the right people at the right place and  right moment works.. But ok. the main reason of this interview is  of course the release of your newest album 'Better Angels'  It sounded to me  there is a personal story behind the songs? i also read something about that in the same interview. Is that true?
That’s correct. The songs that become really personal for me are par example ‘So Naïve’. That is very much about my live in United States, and what we talk about a minute ago. I was raised in that environment but never felt comfortable there. That song was helping me to ankylosing my childhood and how I feel now. It’s also about done things the right way, or not the right way. And being a father now I start think how was I when I was a kid, and how I like it to be for my son. Me asking myself asking big questions about how I was raised, and asking if that was the right thing to do.

Some other song is really political. ‘It’s real relevant in this days. I feel in the states, especially now, It’s breaking my heart to see that people are really argument each other, there is a lot hate going on that’s what I wanted to tell in that song. It’s very sad and heartbreaking seeing that. It’s also about getting out of this mess and start communicate with each other again. And singing together again, as one. Stop arguments, and play music together is that song all about/ There are some political lines in that song to.

There is also one more ‘Built the fire’. Just about keeping the fire alive. Whatever happens in you live. Specially with my wife. It’s kind of an ode to her. It’s how I appreciate having something home we support me true bad and good. There is one other song I want bring on, ‘into my life’ it’s about mental health. I personal been going true a mental health Hell. Like so many people do. That song is really about that. If anyone would like to find help in this lyrics , please do. It’s about struggle the bad times and find a place for it. And also that’s ok to be down sometimes. it’s ok to accept it.

The creative process was quite different on this one compared to previous albums? Right? Can you tell more about it
It have something to do with this pandemic we living in. I normally write things completely on my own. For the first time I was collaborated with some other writers. Specially on the lyrics. I reach to people I really respect, and good friends to write this album that was a difference with other releases. The lyrics, hat’s usual the hardest part, I ‘m just not a master in writing lyrics. So this time I have contact people who are very good in this sort of thing. That’s the biggest difference that I have worked on the halve of the lyrics with other writers. What was really important to tell the right story.

Had the pandemic also a other ‘more relax’ influence on writing the album or compose music?
Absolutely, it was a new thing. This days you can send music files to everyone by internet and things, that was something I been using more now. I found out it’s a good way doing. I can work on a song, like a guitar part,  and send it to someone at the other side of the world. Thanks to ZOOM we can work on a project from the other side of the world on the exact same time, that’s wonderful.  The new technology was something I found out as something I can us in a complete different ways, especially in this pandemic. Like a example. The mixing engineer was in his studio, and I was in my studio. Exactly on the same time working on this album, that’s amazing about this internet thing. We could not be in a studio together, and make a record like The Rolling Stones did in the 60ste but we found a other way doing it, so yes that was a other way of working.

I’ve -mailed the review to the editorial staff, I had some remarks about this beautiful record. What strikes me most is that you can't put a label on the style of music you bring. I hear dashes of folk but also subtle country, r&b and blues, … There is just a lot going on. How would you describe your own style of music?
That’s a good point. My music is a combination what American Roots music is all about. That also have to do with Oklahoma that’s right in the middle of US. Soo you have a mix of country music, there was a big jazz influence in the 50ths. Something you hear in the song ‘Route 66’ of Nat King Cole. Soo there is a lot country, there is a lot Blues, I just don’t like it when people have to label stuff. I not mind about people who do. But for me it was always taking a little bit of everywhere. And make my own way with it. I like a lot parts of music like jazz, big band, Folk music , Country  and stuff. And wanted to mix everything. I know it’s not easy for people who review the album, or to get a place in festivals because they want to know ‘what style of music I’m playing’.  So I understand the need for people to label music, but It’s just not me. Soo to put it this way. My all personal blend of American Roots music from where I came from is a pretty good description of what my music is all about.

You also pointed ‘folk music’ does the Scandinavian folk music have a influence on yourmusic?
Not sure yet, but it started to have more and more influence yes. Because I been here for a while. For the moment, everything I do still sound very American. I started to work with more people here, so maybe in the future those influences will come in my music, you never know. It’s something that grown from himself I think.

What I also liked about 'Better Angels', the songs feel like that soft blanket you need to warm yourself in the darkest times of your life? agree? and has that been a conscious way of working?
That’s definitely a part of the whole plan. It’s really nice that you hear that. Some songs have kind of a heavy feeling. I personally wanted to make them easier do go down. Easier to approach. To make them kind of softer.

Also the fact that they shine in simplicity, without trying to be too difficult, but still touch the heart, is a plus for me. Your opinion?
I wanted to make a record that people understand, not being too difficult indeed. That was also a part of that plan. I like music that I’ kind of technical, and smart. But sometimes the music is to smart, but the message is not been delivered. It is very important for me to keep it down the earth, so the people understand the message.  

How were the regular reactions on the record till now?
I was very surprised about the positive reactions till now. I always prepare for the worst. Release something is personal, but putting it on the route is a scary thing. I was not sure if the people would like it, if people would understand the message. A lot people felt like connected with the message, what is fantastic. Because when I creating stuff it’s not for pleasing myself , or built millions of fans or things like that. That is not my goal. My goal is being as true as possible to myself, and to be true as possible to my potential audience. I think if a creator is being complete honest with what he doing, there is a audience out there. I made a record as honest as possible, but thankfully I got very good reaction on it. What was a pleasure to see and read.

Even though performing live is still difficult, no idea how things are going in Norway, are there any plans for live streaming? or should we wait until real live performance is possible again?
What I like doing is play live for people, coming to Belgium to. I’m not very found about live streaming.  In Norway it’s still a difficult course. But it has been better here than in other places. We been able to play in limited capacity. With a maximum of 200 people. In the biggest city in Norway there where allowed only 20 people, just image. In the same time we thankful that we were able to work and play. But to go to other places, meet new people and other places in the world ? It’s not still going on yet.

What's your opinion about streaming (live streaming, spotify)? i think it's a good medium to discover something. But that’s almost the only good thing about it I think
We did one in December. I appreciate the opportunity because that’s all we have. But playing music is all about look into the face of the audience hear them sheering and applause. It’s something you really need as musician. For me it’s that moment between me and the audience that’s all about.  I always looking for that magic that happens than. I need to have a audience. Soo it just not feels real that streaming. But, also next to Spotify , its sure an easy way to  learn to know new music and stuff yes, that’s a good thing about it.

What are the future plans anyway? For this and maybe next year to come
I’m already working on the next album acutely. I don’t know when it’s going to be recorded. We will see when that happens. I want to go on tour with this record. The real plan is coming down to Europe next year. We really hope for that. In the mean time I just writing new songs. Trying to stay productive.

What are you future ambitions and do you have something like a goal or end goal?
My only goal in live is that I would be really happy if I can continue creating music. And being there for my family, that’s the most important thing. But living from my music, doing this for many more years to come. I’m here because music is my way of living, I love doing it, feel comfortable in it. It’s a personal therapy. And I can make a living for my family to. I’m not looking to become world famous, that’s never been my goal. Having experience on stage and with other musicians but not need to come in big magazine and thing.

But if a major label makes you an offer that allows you to become world famous just by making a commercial record wouldn't you do it then?
I have had discussions with labels about that, to be honest. Make a song more popular so it can come on the radio, and ask like can’t you put this sound in that song , because it’s a popular sound or thing.. no that’s not me I not wane do that. Being popular can be great, but It is not something I want to be. I feel comfortable like it’s now.

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That’s a very nice statement to end this interview, I hope to see you on stage soon in Belgium. And thanks for this nice chat