Caley Conway is on her way to becoming the next big thing in Folk music. Her charming collection of songs, Silk For Life, is an expressive piece that shows her range as a songwriter and artist. Bringing a brilliant songwriting spirit that focuses on melody and earnestness, Conway’s music is relatable to a wide audience beyond the Roots world. To be noted, Conway’s vocal work goes above and beyond the call of duty to bring the record to life, as her songwriting ability takes center stage. Sitting down with No Depression this past week, we speak to Caley Conway about her insightful new record, and what the year beyond holds.
How long did it take you to record the new record, Silk for Life? and What was the inspiration behind the record?
It’s easier to put a finger on motivation than inspiration, so I’ll do that: The collective desire for a tangible, dispersible product that would flatter our arrangements, and emblematize our live performance. That, and we had just raised enough money to record, which takes a while. The actual tracking took longer than anticipated (we thought we’d get it done in a weekend), but that’s a story of band logistics not worth dramatizing.
What is the meaning behind the title of the record? What significance does it hold for you?
I stole the title from another thing, but it’s precious to me and I handle it so. Silk for Life was a coalition that my aunt Pat Conway started from the ground up in the late 80’s. It aimed to give oppressed coca farmers in Columbia an alternative by both training them in silkworm cultivation, and then buying back the silk cocoons at triple what they might have earned for the coca. The silk was then processed and woven within a co-op here in Milwaukee which employed mainly Hmong women, providing them fair trade opportunities for their craft. Basically, it was an amazing operation literally woven of genius, beauty, and tenacity. It has this tactility in my mind, and lends incredible vibrance to my family’s history. My aunt taught me how to raise silkworms while I was living at her farm, and I got to see all stages of the process. There’s a fair amount of that farm’s influence pulsing through the writing on this album, and, conveniently, I think “Silk for Life” just fits the music. It’s a little song in itself.
How did you combine the elements of your influences to create the new album and hone a sound that is uniquely your own?
Sometimes I think we came to find our sound through our limitations. We were an acoustic band, for the most part, wringing as much wetness and sustain from the songs themselves as we could. I like to think the songs were just juicy enough to allow for it. Using slide guitar is an example, as well as Tim’s jazzy drumming style, and my inclination to arrange background vocals and push my bandmates to perform them as part of our live show.
When in the studio creating the new album, did collaborations generally take place or did everyone in your band bring in their own ideas?
Our arrangements were inlaid and well-rehearsed before showing up to the studio, with some exceptions. I did a lot of ad-libbing in order to write vocal harmonies and background parts. Robert laid some embellishments over his lead parts in later sessions.
How did you meet the members of the Lucy Cukes? and what role do they play in your writing and recording process, as well as live?
I met Alex and Tim in high school, who were also going to high school with Rob although I didn’t know him at the time. We started playing music together in 2012, after a convergence in Milwaukee from the likes of India, Paris, Oakland and Madison. They became fleshers-outers-in-chief of the songs I was writing in my bedroom and performing at open mics or for friends and family. They completely facilitated my participation in Milwaukee’s music scene- things like declaring ourselves a band, booking shows, networking, finding rehearsal space, even recording- all those things you would think to do, I honestly might not’ve, if it weren’t for them. I can be stubborn and private about my songs to the point where they would have to coax them out of me for want of new material. They’re all such strong players, always brought chops to the shows and studio sessions, and they’ve taught me so much. Most of what I now know about operating within a music scene, I owe to them.
Loving the single “Volcano” in particular! What was the musical and lyrical inspiration for the piece?
I guess I was sort of chewing on the contents of a conversation with a friend, and some other things, and musing upon some chord combos, and what have you, and… you know, I just wrote it!
Riding high off of last year’s release, what can we expect from you in the new year?
I’m arranging a lot of stuff right now and remaining optimistic about my goal to have another record finished by June. If you know me, you know not to put too much stock in the timelines I give. But I’m sticking my story! The accruing songs will likely assign themselves into a few batches (maybe EPs), each veering from the other in aesthetic. Their qualities will undoubtedly be shaped by whoever comes together to play on them, so at this point, anything could happen.
Find Caley Conway On-Line:
https://www.facebook.com/caleyconwayandthelucycukes
https://caleyconway.bandcamp.com/
