“Six cigarettes in the ashtray, everyone with lipstick stain” is the sentence by which the dim voice of Wes Tirey starts digging on the memory of the listener by ‘Aileen’, the song which opens his album “No Winners In The Blues”(released on cassette by Patient Sounds Intl. and recently re-released on vinyl by Full Spectrum Records). It’s quite rare blues or Americana folk – the style under which Wes’ music can be filed – lands on our space, but the way this Asheville-based musician and poet pours words and poems into an interpretation of that style that sounds like psycho-acoustic storytelling over the placid crackling of a fireplace or while walking with all fully receptive senses over an Appalachian trail, which becomes a possibly and ideally detached point of view to see and sing about ‘something’s in the water, whole word’s upside down’ in the patched prey of “Good Lord”. We had a quick exchange of words with Wes some weeks ago, which we report here.
Chain D.L.K.: Hi Wes! Firstly, I hope you’re doing well.
Wes Tirey: Thank you, Vito – Happy New Year!
Chain D.L.K.: Can you introduce yourself in your own words?
Wes Tirey: Sure – I’m a songwriter and guitarist based out of Asheville, NC. I’m originally from Ohio, though – I moved down here in 2011.
Chain D.L.K.: It’s pretty rare we host reviews of blues music or interviews with blues musicians in our zine. Actually, maybe you’re the first one, but I enjoyed your album ‘No Winners in the Blues’. Your music could be a good sample for a possible way of “refurbishing” the genre without altering its inner spirit. What are the most interesting attempts to renovate blues music (or should we refer to Americana folk instead) in your opinion?
Wes Tirey: Yea, I wouldn’t describe my music as “blues” – but I’m definitely influenced by the blues. Delta Blues, Piedmont Blues, stuff like that. I think any kind of reference to the blues in my music is more of an homage to its spirit and legacy in American music.
Chain D.L.K.: Your voice reminded me of the one by the legendary Johnny Cash, but who are the blues musicians who you consider truly inspiring for your artistic growth?
Wes Tirey: One of my most foundational discoveries was finding the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music. It’s like the Rosetta Stone of American music. Anybody who wants to understand or dive deeper into American song forms should start there.
Chain D.L.K.: Many reviewers call your style by using the expression Appalachian music. Other ones talk about ‘whiskey blues’. How do you concisely describe your music and why?
Wes Tirey: I think it’s just folk music. The architecture of my songs are built from traditional American roots music. It can diverge from that form, sure – but that’s the starting point.
Chain D.L.K.: I found out ‘No Winners in the Blues’ was originally released in 2019 on cassette, right? How come the decision of reprinting 4 years later? Any post-production edit on this re-release?
Wes Tirey: I always wanted this album to have a proper vinyl release. I’ve known Andrew Weathers for years – he’s mixed and mastered a ton of my projects, we’ve collaborated together, and he’s a good friend. I reached out to him about the reissue, and he and the rest of the Full Spectrum crew said ok.
No post-production edits – just remastered for vinyl.
Chain D.L.K.: I guess its songs were written and composed before the assumed Covid-19 emergency. Is there any song that you reprised during this event?
Wes Tirey: No – the early months of Covid were spent writing new material.
Chain D.L.K.: Who’s Aileen, who I guess inspired the lovely opening song of the album? Any words on this track?
Wes Tirey: Oh, I can’t tell you that.
Chain D.L.K.: Is the evocative track “Serpent Mound” a reference to the same-named peak in Ohio? If so, how come?
Wes Tirey: It is. As I mentioned above, I’m originally from Ohio – so it’s a reference to home. I wrote that on a trip – maybe around 2016, or 2017. The chorus just fell into place:
Hallelujah
Glory bound
Ohio River
Serpent Mound
Chain D.L.K.: One of my favorite tracks of the album is “Easy Leaving”. What’s its source of inspiration?
Wes Tirey: I’ll pass on giving any details on this one. I think the lyrics give plenty away.
Chain D.L.K.: Is there any ballad that you prefer for any specific reason?
Wes Tirey: Mattie Groves, Lord Bateman, East Virginia, Wagoner’s Lad
Chain D.L.K.: A title (and a song) like “No Winners in the Blues” sounds like a statement. Why did you decide to title it so? What’s the more or less hidden thematic red line joining together its tracks?
Wes Tirey: I didn’t want to title it after any track on the album, but it does seem to be a kind of thesis that binds the songs together, maybe with the exception of Welcome to the City.
I mean, these are lowdown songs and stories – it’s a lowdown title, too.
Chain D.L.K.: Are you working on new projects at the moment? Did you plan any tour?
Wes Tirey: I’ll be touring with Andrew Weathers in a few weeks – which I’m really excited for. He’ll be backing me up on lap steel for a short run of shows in Texas.
I’ll be releasing another album later this year, or early next year. It’s a selection of poems that I put music and melody to from a favorite book. Excited to share that.
Visit Wes Tirey on the web:
https://westirey.bandcamp.com/