This is the fourth of five conversations with Americana musicians by KAXE Music Director Kari Hedlund, recorded in Nashville at AmericanaFest. Tune in to New Music this week to hear them, plus the artists’ live AmericanaFest sets!
If you missed it on the air, visit our archives.
NASHVILLE — Sunny War is a songwriter whose voice is distinct, with songs that have a strong sense of self.
Sunny says, "I think the songs are like a diary."
Out with her new album, Anarchist Gospel, Sunny said recording it was a different process than she's done before. A full band of seasoned players — featuring additions by David Rawlings, Jim James, Allison Russell and Chris Pierce — were in the room working the songs and record out in just a couple of days.
"It was more organized than anything that I ever recorded before," she said. " ... I almost felt like I was almost holding the band back, because they were just like a machine. And then I was messing up some stuff, so I had to re-record my guitar parts."
What came out of those sessions is a fully formed record that in spite of those changes, still screams Sunny War.
