E537 Miranda Lambert
In this episode of This Past Weekend, Miranda Lambert offers insight into her new album "Postcards from Texas" and its homage to her Texan roots and honky-tonk beginnings. She takes listeners through memories like her first Garth Brooks concert, her country music dreams, and the eclectic influences that shaped her songwriting and creative evolution over the years.
The conversation extends beyond music, touching on Lambert's childhood experiences, her bond with rescue pets, and her personal journey of growth and self-expression. Both Lambert and host Theo Von reflect on finding balance between authenticity and change as artists and individuals, and explore new creative outlets like Lambert's record label Big Loud Texas.
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1-Page Summary
Miranda Lambert's Music Career
Lambert's new album "Postcards from Texas" celebrates her Texan roots and honky-tonk influences. She recorded in Texas to connect with her country origins and capture the sounds of her early career performing in honky-tonks. Songs like "Armadillo" encapsulate this vibe.
Lambert embraces co-writing, but some hits like "The House That Built Me" were penned by others. Her songwriting evolves with life experience, from quick hits to patient gems like Stephen Wilson Jr.'s "I don't want to see the movie if the dog dies."
Personal Experiences and Memories
Lambert's Memories
Lambert recalls her first Garth Brooks concert sparking her country dream at 10. She laughs at her teen "Spindletop Texas hair," reminiscing about poofy styles and distressed Rockies jeans. Her thrifty upbringing and quirky rescue dog shaped her perspective.
Von's Memories
Von fondly remembers licking beaters baking with his mom. He attended colorful events like a funeral with a nervous singer.
Creative Processes and Industry
Evolving Authentically
Lambert and Von discuss balancing artistic progression with authenticity over time as their lives change. What resonates in youth may not fit later.
New Outlets
Lambert explores podcasting despite introversion. Her label Big Loud Texas nurtures emerging talent, combining personal evolution with elevating the next generation.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Lambert's album "Postcards from Texas" aims to celebrate her Texan roots, some might argue that it could over-romanticize or stereotype Texan culture, failing to represent its current diversity.
- The evolution of Lambert's songwriting with life experiences is a natural artistic progression, but some critics might suggest that her earlier work was more impactful or authentic.
- Lambert's reminiscing about her first Garth Brooks concert and her teen years could be seen as nostalgic, yet some might argue that focusing too much on the past could overshadow her current artistry.
- The balance between artistic progression and authenticity is subjective, and some might feel that Lambert's or Von's changes in style or approach could alienate long-time fans.
- Lambert's venture into podcasting, despite introversion, is commendable, but it could be critiqued as a move that might not fully play to her strengths as a musician.
- Big Loud Texas's initiative to nurture emerging talent is positive, but there could be concerns about whether the label provides enough diversity in the types of artists and music it supports.
- Von's memories and discussions on artistic progression are personal anecdotes, which, while valuable, may not necessarily provide insights applicable to the broader music industry or audience.
- The emphasis on personal evolution in the music industry is important, but some might argue that there should be a greater focus on systemic changes within the industry to support artists' growth and well-being.
Actionables
- You can explore your heritage through art by creating a visual or audio collage that incorporates elements from your family history and local culture, much like a musical album that celebrates roots. Start by gathering old photos, recordings of family members, and symbols of your hometown, then assemble them into a piece that tells your personal story.
- Enhance your storytelling skills by partnering with a friend to co-write a short story or script, drawing inspiration from your combined life experiences. Set up regular meetings to brainstorm and build on each other's ideas, ensuring that both of your voices and perspectives are woven into the narrative.
- Foster the growth of others by volunteering as a mentor in a field you're passionate about, whether it's music, baking, or any other craft. Look for local community centers, schools, or online platforms where you can share your knowledge and experience with someone eager to learn and grow in that area.
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Miranda Lambert's Music Career
Country music star Miranda Lambert is celebrated for her Grammy-winning contributions to the genre. With the release of her new album "Postcards from Texas," Lambert returns to her roots and reflects on her journey and songwriting evolution.
Miranda Lambert's new album "Postcards from Texas"
Theo Von introduces Miranda Lambert, highlighting her new album "Postcards from Texas," which embraces her Texan heritage and honky-tonk sounds that influenced her early years.
Recorded Album in Texas to Connect with Country Roots
Miranda Lambert recorded the album in Texas, a strategic choice made to ground the music in her country roots. It was the first time since she was 18 that Lambert chose to record in the Lone Star State. She celebrated her 40th birthday there, underlining her deep connection to the state and its music.
"Honky-Tonk" Sound Reflecting Texas Roots
Lambert sought to capture the essence of her early career, playing in Texas honky-tonks, and chose to celebrate at the famous Billy Bob's in Fort Worth. She describes the album as a “really honky-tonk record” reminiscent of her childhood and the music she adored growing up. A song from the album, "Armadillo," is one example of the vibe she aims for.
Reliving Early Career in Honky-Tonks
Lambert's performance at her bar with songs from the new album took her back to the start of her music career. She speaks fondly of the days of performing and seeing shows at Billy Bob's, mirroring the importance of those early experiences in her work today.
Miranda Lambert's songwriting process and collaborations
Lambert's creative approach embraces both collaboration and drawing on a variety of songwriters’ talents.
Collaborative Co-Writing Process
Lambert cherishes the process of co-writing, describing it as fun and celebratory, particularly in Nashville's collaborative country music scene. She talks about Aaron Ray Tiet, a Nashville songwriter who sent her the song "Armadillo," emphasizing the joy of performing songs that arrive through collaboration.
Her Biggest Hits and Choosing the ...
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Miranda Lambert's Music Career
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your heritage through music by creating a playlist that features artists and genres from your cultural background, similar to how Lambert embraced her Texan roots. This can deepen your connection with your heritage and give you a new appreciation for its influence on your identity. For example, if you have Irish ancestry, you might include traditional Irish folk music alongside contemporary Irish artists.
- Write a letter to your younger self reflecting on your life experiences, akin to how Lambert's songwriting evolves with her life. This exercise can help you see how far you've come, what lessons you've learned, and how your past has shaped who you are today. You might discover themes and insights that could inspire your own creative projects or personal growth.
- Collabo ...
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Personal Experiences and Memories
Miranda Lambert and Theo Von share intimate details about their early lives and the formative memories that shaped who they are today. From small-town entertainment to quirky family pets, these stories paint a vivid picture of their unique upbringings.
Miranda Lambert's memories of growing up and starting her music career
Lambert reminisces about various aspects of her upbringing and how they've influenced her life and music career.
Lambert recalls formative experiences like her first Garth Brooks concert as a child that inspired her to pursue country music
Miranda Lambert reflects on her first concert experience seeing Garth Brooks at the Texas stadium when she was 10 years old. She vividly remembers Brooks arriving by helicopter and the fiery performance of "Standing Outside the Fire" that sparked her dream of pursuing a career in country music.
Lambert reminisces about the fashion and hairstyles that were popular when she was a teenager starting out in the industry
She looks back with humor at the fashion and hairstyles of her teenage years, recalling the "Spindletop Texas hair" she sported, teasing her bangs "to Jesus," and the use of Aussie scrunch spray to achieve the look. Lambert also recalls wearing "Rockies" jeans with no back pockets that made "everyone's butt look long" and how she styled her hair in a "big cloud" that was "so bad."
Lambert's family background, including her thrifty upbringing and her quirky rescue dog, have shaped her perspective
Lambert describes the old tobacco farm house she grew up in, noting its lack of modern conveniences and reflecting on her thrifty upbringing. Her mother's thrifting habits inform Lambert's practical approach to life, which included strategies to make second-hand purchases appear upscale. Miranda recounts her family's adoption of their quirky rescue dog Rody, who howls at specific songs and is humorously referred to as a "shitty brother."
Theo Von's own childhood memories and experiences
Th ...
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Personal Experiences and Memories
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your own childhood influences by creating a personal inspiration map, starting with a central event or memory and branching out to show how it has shaped your interests and choices. For instance, if you remember being fascinated by a book as a child, draw a line from that book to your current love of reading or writing.
- Reflect on your past fashion choices and create a visual timeline of your style evolution, using photos or descriptions. This can be a fun way to see how your tastes have changed and to celebrate your unique journey. You might even identify patterns or influences that have stayed with you over the years.
- Write a short story or personal essay ...
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Creative Processes and Industry Adaptations
Miranda Lambert discusses the nuanced journey of artistic evolution and the efforts to adapt within the music industry while maintaining authenticity and nurturing new talent.
Challenges of evolving as an artist over time
Lambert and Von delve into the difficulties that come with updating one's artistic expression and personal portrayal over time. As artists age and their lives change, so too must their creative outputs, which do not always align with their earlier work.
Maintaining authenticity while progressing
Lambert talks about the fear and challenge of staying true to herself while trying to reinvent and evolve as an artist from her youth to present day. Both Lambert and Von agree that what fit them as artists during their younger years doesn't necessarily suit who they have become today. Finding the right balance between an authentic connection to one's artistic roots and the drive to progress poses an ongoing challenge for veteran artists.
Exploring new creative outlets and collaborations
Lambert has been exploring new ventures like podcasting to broaden her creative horizons, a step that comes with its own set of challenges, especially given her introverted nature. This represents a significant shift from expressing herself thr ...
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Creative Processes and Industry Adaptations
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While evolving as an artist is important, there can be a risk of alienating long-time fans who prefer an artist's earlier work.
- The concept of authenticity in art is subjective, and what feels like a natural progression to one person might seem inauthentic to another.
- Some might argue that the pressure to maintain a connection to one's artistic roots can stifle innovation and discourage artists from exploring truly new directions.
- Podcasting, while a valuable medium, may not be the best fit for every musician's skill set, and the transition from music to spoken word content can be challenging and not always successful.
- Collaborating with younger artists is commendable, but it can also be seen as a way for established artists to stay relevant rather than a purely altruistic end ...
Actionables
- You can explore your own evolution by starting a personal journal where you document changes in your interests, goals, and self-perception over time. This practice will help you notice and reflect on your personal growth, similar to how an artist might assess their evolving style. For example, write down your thoughts on a new hobby you've picked up or how your taste in books, music, or art has changed over the past year.
- Engage with different generations by volunteering to mentor someone younger or seeking mentorship from someone older. This interaction can provide fresh perspectives and help you understand the value of cross-generational exchange. If you're in a book club, for instance, invite members of varied ages to join and contribute to discussions, enriching the collective insight.
- Broaden your creative expression by taking up a new form ...
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