Author: Emma Loggins
Date: 2008-02-07


Interview:
After two records and a Grammy nomination, Tift Merritt took hiatus with a piano in Paris and was rewarded with an unbridled inspiration and a wealth of her most accomplished songs to date. On February 26, Concord Music Group's Fantasy Records will release Merritt's Another Country. Merritt's debut Bramble Rose earned spots on both Time Magazine and the New Yorker's year-end Top Ten lists. Tambourine, her sophomore album, was Grammy nominated for Country Album of the Year and earned numerous accolades from press and fans. She has appeared on "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," and shared the stage with Elvis Costello, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, and Nickel Creek. Her Austin City Limits television performance was released on DVD in October of 2007. Another Country was written by Tift Merritt, produced by George Drakoulias, and recorded by David Bianco. The players include guitarists Charlie Sexton and Doug Pettibone and Tift's longtime band, Zeke Hutchins (drums), Jay Brown (bass) and Danny Eisenberg (keyboards).

You took a little bit of a break after your second album and spent some time in Paris, can you talk a little bit about the inspiration that you gained during that time period?

I think there is something very freeing about being a stranger in a strange place. Paris is such beautiful city; there were always artisans at work making beautiful things and there was something about being surrounded by all of that which was very reassuring. Also, as a writer, it was a beautiful experience to speak in a foreign language, or without words, and then sit at the piano with the relief of thinking in English, but the simple happiness of not taking any exchange between people for granted.

How is this upcoming album different from your previous ones?

This album was just such a surprise. I really didn't think I was going to be able to write anything at all while I was in France. I just wanted to sleep and recharge and be alone. But these songs appeared, with a life of their own, and I was just pulled along for the ride.