Alt-Rockers Lullwater continue their journey by taking their gritty, southern-infused sound to a new level with a new full length release, Voodoo.
To most people, New Orleans is about jazz, day drinking, and having fun. But it is also the birthplace of western popular music, a dark and mysterious city filled with a particular vibe and energy. It is no coincidence that this is where Lullwater spent a month recording their new album with Swedish producer Jakob Herrmann (Amaranthe, Raised Fist, Evergrey, etc), with co-producing by the band's long-time engineer/producer Justin Davis. The album is recorded in New Orleans and Athens, Georgia, and is mixed by Herrmann at Top Floor Studios in Gothenburg.
“Jakob is from Sweden, but has spent a lot of time in the states and New Orleans in particular, working on a wide range of projects”, singer John Strickland explains. “We like to move each studio recording to a new city, so when he suggested we do the album in the studio he uses in New Orleans, we jumped at the idea. We were going for a bigger, more intricate and layered sound this time, so the decision to bring Jakob in to produce the album with Justin as co-producer, was a natural progression.”
Before even setting foot in the studio, they decided that this time they wouldn’t hold back on anything. At the time, the band was frankly pissed off, scarred by personal loss, heartbreak, and they decided to let those feelings come out not only in the songwriting, but in the production as well. At the same time, they wanted to explore new territories with their music, and demanded a new level of perfection, both from themselves and from their team. Strickland continues;
“The new album sounds like us and is still true to our rock roots. We’re not looking to reinvent ourselves, but just as we've grown, so has our songwriting. It's much more personal this time. We've had a tumultuous two years since we released Revival, and that is reflected in the music. The songs definitely convey a depth that will expose us in a way that our fans haven't seen yet. Also, recording in New Orleans and immersing ourselves in that city resulted in new territories like horns, strings and other overdubs we haven’t messed with before.”
Setting up camp in Marigny Studios, owned by Afghan Whigs member Rick G Nelson, and the following month was a lesson in letting go and moving on. Every song was a blank page. Every limit was there to be pushed. Every idea was thoroughly challenged, and after a while the band and their team realised they were tapping into something deeper and more soulful than expected. The album title was no longer a suggestion, it was a necessity. Because this is no ordinary rock album. This is Voodoo.
MORE ABOUT LULLWATER
Formed in Athens, Georgia, the foursome took the legacy of the godfathers of grunge, and mixed it with their own swagger, unique musicality, and raw live performances. The result is truly their own sound, earning the praise from both critics and listeners alike.
Lullwater released its self-titled debut in 2012 to rave reviews, and were immediately invited to join some of the biggest tours that same year. Since then, the band has spent the majority of their time on the road, sharing the stage with A-list acts like Candlebox, Theory Of A Deadman, Flyleaf, Passafire, Amaranthe, and Butcher Babies.
In 2015, the band released their sophomore album Revival, and in 2017, they released The Seattle Sessions, a live-in-studio EP featuring an acclaimed cover of Pearl Jam's “Release”.
So, what's next for a band that has paved its own way by making no compromises or concessions? New music, extensive touring, and a commitment to delivering live performances that deliver night in and night out.
Lullwater
John Strickland - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Daniel Binnie - Lead Guitar
Roy Beatty - Bass/Vocals
Joe Wilson - Drums/Vocals