Chad Bowar: What can fans expect to hear on your new CD Cold Day Memory?
Lajon Witherspoon: It's an album that shows we're not afraid to show we've grown as artists. We go down all the avenues, the heavy stuff and some songs you might hear on the radio. It's a more well-rounded album.
It's your first album with Clint in quite a few years. Did you pick right up where you left off, or did it take a while to get used to each other again?
It was an exciting, anxious feeling. It was great. It was like he never left. It was natural, for sure.
What was behind his decision to rejoin the band?
People have to follow different dreams and destinies, but ultimately home is going to be home, and Sevendust is home. It was the right way.
How did Dave Bassett come to co-write a couple songs on this album?
We had heard about him, and he worked with a couple people that we know. He threw a couple ideas our way, and we threw a couple back his way. The working relationship went well. We've never really done it, but it's a pleasure to work with someone else, a breath of fresh air, to feel the energy they bring to the songs. It's a learning process, too. It helped us a lot to not be afraid to do something different.
You worked with producer Johnny K this time. How did that come about?
We talked about several producers in our genre of music, and he's worked with several bands that we enjoy listening to. We took a chance and went to Chicago to do the album at his studio. It was a great experience to be able to live in the studio, to wake up and work from 12 to 12. It was convenient to be there, and it helped that it was the middle of the winter in Chicago. It led to me not leaving. I was really focused.
What's his producing style like?
He was more laid back. He suggested things, but when you have a band of guys who have been writing albums for so many years, it's easy to work with us. We have so many ideas going. We have a different work ethic when it comes to that. It was a very painless process.
Your time in Chicago also inspired the album title.
“Cold Day Memory” was half a song, we had written the chorus. The song never made the album, but the title fit with everything that was going on, so it was perfect. The title kept getting thrown around even after the song didn't make it. I'll always remember the experience being that way.
You guys split up the lyric writing duties pretty evenly, instead of just having one main lyricist.
We all write lyrics. I've always said it's very foolish for it to come from one person's point of view when you have five grown men in the band. We all sit down and tell how we feel. We pick and choose and see what fits best. It's a cool way to work.
You did an extensive series of behind the scenes video blogs about the recording of the CD. How was it received by the fans?
They love it, man. I didn't know what to think about it, because you want to keep some things private, but it was fun. We like to have fun. It was a different side of the band that people might not have seen. It was cool to hear how people loved it. It was exciting.
You've been on a major label, an indie label, and now the last two have been on your own label. How has that been going?
We are more hands on. If you are on the right label and have the machine working for you, I don't think you have too much to complain about. But with 7Bros Records it's been great. We're able to voice our opinion and have a say-so on the future of our career. It's a good business move. You need to be a good businessman or woman in addition to an artist.
You just wrapped up a headlining tour. Have you noticed the economy affecting show attendance the past couple of years?
It affects everyone, but music is something that's giving people a chance to get away and not think about the bills. Hopefully the ticket prices aren't too high, and the attendance has been great. We really appreciate that. Music can be therapy, and without the people, who I don't call fans, but friends and family because that what they've become along the way. Without them we wouldn't be able to do this, so we really appreciate everything that they do for us.
Now that you have 8 albums under your belt, is it challenging to put together a set list?
Oh my God, it's ridiculous. But it's great to have that much material, and it's funny at times.
Ever suffered an onstage injury?
We've always said that Sevendust is like a full contact sport. Even though we're getting older, we still get up there and rock it. That's where it's at. The energy we get from the people makes for an exciting time.
Since you are getting older and the band members have families now, do you try to schedule more down time from touring?
Yes. You have to, or you'll get a divorce! We definitely make more time to be dads. We take a break, then go back out. We have families and lives at home that we need to tend to, because things do get out of order.
Do you bring the families out on the road at all?
The kids always come out. My 20 month old has already been to several shows. The kids come, run around the bus, they like to get up in the bunks. It's great.
