Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - With the best songs of his career in tow, Tom Russell ventured to Tucson, AZ to concoct his new album 'Blood and Candle Smoke' (September 15 / Shout! Factor) with members of Calexico. Co-producer
Craig Schumacher and Wave Lab Studios had become the center of a vibrant indie scene that has nurtured recordings from Iron & Wine, Calexico, and Neko Case.
Calexico's Nick Luca said, "Tom wanted us to sound like us - and he encouraged us to pull out the stops and reach into our southwest-style bag of tricks. Like most records we make at Wavelab, you can hear the vast space and maybe some dust as well, I think this record has this quality in droves. Most of the songs were recorded "live in the studio", that is drums, bass, keyboard, electric guitar, Tom's acoustic and even his vocal all recorded together, like a real band."
Schumacher emphasizes "the conviction and passion he brings to the songs," continuing, "You could tell that they came from life experiences. These songs were much more engaging and detailed than other writers I've worked with."
