I introduced you to the raw power of Bishops a few months ago. Tucker Riggleman took a break from unpacking after a big move to answer some of my questions about his craft:
What’s your songwriting process like?
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| Photo Credit: Jordan Hudkins |
Writing songs is a very weird thing for me.
Almost every song I’ve written happened in about five or ten minutes. It all
happens so fast, and I’m frantically looking for a pen to write down lyrics as
they come out. I don’t know how to describe it. I definitely don’t sit down and
say, “Hey, I’m going to write a song now.” – it’s pretty organic.
Almost every song I’ve written happened in about five or ten minutes. It all
happens so fast, and I’m frantically looking for a pen to write down lyrics as
they come out. I don’t know how to describe it. I definitely don’t sit down and
say, “Hey, I’m going to write a song now.” – it’s pretty organic.
What or who do you see as your most important influences?
Musically speaking, my favorite band is The
Replacements, so I think I am definitely influenced by them stylistically. As
for my lyrical influences, I draw from a lot of personal experience, be it
family, friends, significant others, etc – but that’s not to say all of my
songs are autobiographical. Sometimes its interesting to try and see the world
through someone else’s eyes and try to write about that.
Replacements, so I think I am definitely influenced by them stylistically. As
for my lyrical influences, I draw from a lot of personal experience, be it
family, friends, significant others, etc – but that’s not to say all of my
songs are autobiographical. Sometimes its interesting to try and see the world
through someone else’s eyes and try to write about that.
I noticed that a lot of the songs on this album are about apathy or
depression. Which do you find more cathartic: writing these songs or performing
them?
depression. Which do you find more cathartic: writing these songs or performing
them?
I think those are two things that most mid 20-somethings
deal with in life – the post-college “now what?” kind of doldrums. It just so
happens that writing songs is pretty therapeutic for me, so I’ve managed to
capture my anxiety, fears, and hopes and turn them into a record. I think the
writing is definitely the most cathartic part of the process. I write these
songs for me, and I have hundreds that I’ll probably never play outside of my
bedroom. Performing is ridiculously fun, and a great release – and if someone
at the show can relate to some of what we’re doing or saying, then that’s just
an added bonus.
deal with in life – the post-college “now what?” kind of doldrums. It just so
happens that writing songs is pretty therapeutic for me, so I’ve managed to
capture my anxiety, fears, and hopes and turn them into a record. I think the
writing is definitely the most cathartic part of the process. I write these
songs for me, and I have hundreds that I’ll probably never play outside of my
bedroom. Performing is ridiculously fun, and a great release – and if someone
at the show can relate to some of what we’re doing or saying, then that’s just
an added bonus.
West Virginia is a tiny state but from what
I’ve seen while writing this blog, it’s got a rich and diverse music scene.
Where do you think that comes from? What keeps you here?
I’ve seen while writing this blog, it’s got a rich and diverse music scene.
Where do you think that comes from? What keeps you here?
I think most West Virginians grow up with a
chip on their shoulder. We’re the state everyone has forgot. There’s a fierce
sense of pride that comes from living here, and it makes it feel that much
better when you can go out and accomplish something. It feels like you’re doing
it for the whole state. There are some insanely talented musicians residing in
West Virginia, and I’m very lucky to call a lot of them my friends. As far as
what keeps me here, it’s a beautiful, comfortable, affordable place to live
that is very close to so many major East Coast cities — that being said, I’ve
been here my whole life, and I can see myself giving somewhere else a shot in
the very near future, but I’ll always be a West Virginian.
chip on their shoulder. We’re the state everyone has forgot. There’s a fierce
sense of pride that comes from living here, and it makes it feel that much
better when you can go out and accomplish something. It feels like you’re doing
it for the whole state. There are some insanely talented musicians residing in
West Virginia, and I’m very lucky to call a lot of them my friends. As far as
what keeps me here, it’s a beautiful, comfortable, affordable place to live
that is very close to so many major East Coast cities — that being said, I’ve
been here my whole life, and I can see myself giving somewhere else a shot in
the very near future, but I’ll always be a West Virginian.
What is one thing you’d like listeners to
know about Silver Lining?
know about Silver Lining?
Just that a lot of love went into these songs
and this record. I hope you can find something in there that you can relate to,
or maybe you’ll like how the drums sound on a certain track, or a specific
guitar part. It’s a very honest record, and I hope you can find some enjoyment
in it.
and this record. I hope you can find something in there that you can relate to,
or maybe you’ll like how the drums sound on a certain track, or a specific
guitar part. It’s a very honest record, and I hope you can find some enjoyment
in it.
Official, Facebook, Bandcamp, Preorder the vinyl at Twin Cousins Records