Videos by American Songwriter
Inspiration for a song can come from a phrase or a melody, but sometimes it’s more complicated than that. Just ask Reid Genauer of the jam-prone Americana band Assembly Of Dust.
“‘Arkansas Down’ was born out of three observations in popular culture that struck me in a short period of time,” says Genauer, who previously fronted the band Strangefolk.
“Mumford and Sons were blowing up and they had pop tunes in 3/4 time and I thought, hey if they can do it… Gillian Welch had a new record out and I was reflecting on how creepy and strikingly detailed her lyrics were. Finally I heard a line in a movie about a family entwined in the harsh realities of the crystal meth trade in Missouri. A young character referred to extended family who lived “down by the Arkansas line.” Two observations, one good line and bingo — a song is born.”
“Arkansas Down” hails from Assembly of Dust’s fourth album, the brand new Sun Shot. Take a listen below.
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