A Thousand Horses Talk 2025 UK Tour, Deluxe Album Release And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Zack Knudsen
Acclaimed Nashville rockers A Thousand Horses have released the deluxe version of ‘The Outside’ and will tour the UK in July/August 2025. We chatted to the band about their return to the UK and more:
MH – Michael Hobby
BS – Bill Satcher
GD – Graham DeLoach
MH – Who is in A Thousand Horses, how did you meet and what do they play?
A Thousand Horses is Bill Satcher, Graham Deloach and Myself. Bill plays guitar and we grew up in the same small town of Newberry, SC. We went to middle school together but really met in our local music store in town. We both were the only kids in-town who were really passionate about guitar and music. We would always meet up at the local music store and play every guitar that place had in it. That’s truly where our brotherhood began. Graham is our bass player. I’ve known Graham just as long as Bill due to the fact they are cousins. Graham would spend his Summers in Newberry with Bill’s family. Graham was in a band down in Savannah, GA so when he came up he would bring his gear. We would listen to music and jam together all summer long. We all shared the same passion for music and being in a band.
MH – What is your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical memory. I’ll never forget my parents taking me to my first concert. It was Alan Jackson in Columbia, SC at the Carolina Coliseum. I must have been 7 or 8 years old but I remember it like it was yesterday. All the smoke, lights and roaring crowd. It truly gave me the bug.
BS – When did you begin songwriting?
When I met Michael in the 7th grade, he had already started writing songs. By the time we were in high school and formed our first band he already had about 20 originals in his back pocket so we skipped right over the phase of learning cover songs and jumped right into being an all original band. It wasn’t until we moved to Nashville together though that I began to take songwriting more seriously; taking it beyond just contributing the occasional riff or two. When I got my first protools rig in 2010 is when I really began to craft fully formed ideas and develop my production and lyrical chops.
GD – Congratulations on the deluxe edition of ‘The Outside. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
We approached this album with the goal of really making sure that we showed the truest version of ourselves through our music. We made this album independently, so we didn’t have any other outside influences on what songs we wrote, recorded, or even how we recorded them. It was a really fulfilling process as creators. We had specific goals and a vision for this album to blend country and rock music. The process taught us so much along the way, but most importantly “The Outside” serves as a marker in the A Thousand Horses timeline of when we started doing things our way without compromise.
GD – Where did you record the album and who produced it? Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?
Jon Randall produced this album and we recorded the majority of it in Sound Emporium studio B. We have done some recording in this room in the past, but this time it was very different. With Jon in the producers chair we instantly locked in together on where we were going musically and how we were going to get there making this record. Jon is an incredible talent in his own right and we gelled instantly on both a personal and creative level. Studio B also has its own presence to it and I think these factors bled into the fabric of the recordings. We used to have a band house down the street from the studio, so I always felt reminded of our early days as a band while we were recording. One of my favorite moments was having Charles Kelley in the studio to share his vocal talent on “Sad Country Songs” which he also co-wrote. That was a fun day in the studio.
MH – Was it a difficult album to write?
I wouldn’t say it was difficult to write the album but when it comes to making one it always has its obstacles. This was the first record back after a lot of changes in our life and a lot of changes in the world. It was important for us to get back in the saddle and be creative after everything that we had gone through. Music and making albums is truly therapy for the 3 of us. Its what we love to do not matter what.
BS – Do you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
I have a few staples I like to keep on hand at all times in the studio. I have my Les Paul Gold Top I use on almost everything. I also have a great Fender Strat and Gibson SG I use all the time. Between those 3 electric guitars I can usually get every sound I’m hearing in my head. For recording equipment I use a BAE 1073 preamp as well as a Universal Audio Apollo interface. During the recording of this record the engineer Brandon turned me on to a Beyerdynamic M160 for acoustic guitars that I now use all the time. Sounds great on everything, vocals, amps, you name it.
BS – Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
a) “Highway Sound” is the happiest song on the record. At the time we wrote it, the band had been in a rough season. We had just been drug through the mud of another record deal gone south, morale was low, and the future was full of question marks. None of us really knew how we needed to continue or if we were going to be able to. That song is the moment we collectively decided to try and shut the door on the bullshit that was behind us and weighing us down personally and creatively. Finding clarity in that long season of distortion wasn’t exactly like flipping a light switch but, that song is us deciding to try to seek a way out. When you’re in the shit, you have to make a conscious decision that you want to make it to the other side. So we did, and that one reminds us to keep looking up to God and forwards to the future with gratitude, believing that if you just keep going. everything will all be alright in the end. That sentiment applies to everything in life to us, not just music.
The title track, “The Outside”, is the most angry and reflective song all at once on the album. Michael and I made the decision to quit drinking alcohol at the same time together and it’s strengthened our friendship and musical bond. The song encapsulates a lot of our feelings about re-discovering life sans alcohol. In one way, the song is about not letting people, the world, or your own demons push you
around anymore but, it’s also about looking back at who you used to be with a little humility. Giving yourself some forgiveness and grace. It is personally the best decision I have ever made and a huge reason why the band is now the best we have ever been.
GD – You will be returning to the UK for some live shows in July and August 2025. How are you feeling about returning? Do you have any sightseeing plans whilst you are over here?
We are REALLY stoked to get back to the UK! We have been quietly counting down the days until we get on the plane. We have not been able to get back over since 2019 due to many varying circumstances beyond our control. We have always really loved the energy of the people and the music scene in the UK. We have set a goal to be coming back regularly from here on out. While we are there I’d love to get out in the countryside and see Stonehenge as that’s definitely on my bucket list.
MH – What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
I hope to achieve a tight show that moves the audience and myself. It’s important to me that we leave an impact and feel we have done our best every single night no matter the circumstances.
Everyone – Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Michael- (Newberry, SC) Home, Peaceful, Open, and inspiring.
Bill (Newberry, SC) – Small, Friendly, Artsy, Southern, Underappreciated.
Graham- (Savannah, GA) Beautiful, Historic, Coastal, Sunny, laid back
MH – How do you look after your voices?
Over the years I have adopted many ways to look after my voice. I warm up every night and use a vocal steamer which helps with fatigue and harsh conditions. I hydrate like crazy and try to keep the talking in loud rooms to a minimum. My voice is my instrument so it’s very important to me to keep it healthy on the road.
GD – You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
So I’ve always been a bit of a sci-fi nerd. I love the Original ‘Dune’ written by Frank Herbert. The band Toto scored the original film adaptation and I always thought that was so amazing. I know the ship has sailed as they have already remade the Dune movie trilogy, but in a fantasy world I would have loved to score that movie.
BS – Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
My parents were old hippies, so growing up my house was full of music. There was a lot of singer-songwriter music being played. Paul Simon, James Taylor Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin. But also a lot of Rock n Roll; Beatles, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd. I was familiar with their catalogues before I even got my first guitar so that’s what I learned first. Page and Gilmour are everywhere in my guitar playing since they defined the sound of guitar for me for as long as I can remember. I love great songs more than anything. The great songwriting community in Nashville is my favorite thing about the town. I could talk with other songwriters all day about the craft but my musical influences are mainly artists that are also great songwriters. Oasis is my favorite band so Noel Gallagher is an influence. As well as Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, shoutout to Mike Campbell, The Black Crowes, McCartney.
Some newer music I have really been into lately is Sam Fender, Brent Cobb, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Shinedown, and Gerry Cinnamon.
My favorite recommendation to anyone is Willis Alan Ramsey’s eponymous record from 1972. He only made one album but it’s flawless.
MH – What makes A Thousand Horses happy and what makes you unhappy?
Great question.. I’d say what makes us happy is being able to play music for a living and travel the world. We meet so many amazing people. We hear their stories and what our music has done to impact them. That is truly the greatest thing we can experience as musicians and songwriters. Now the things that make us unhappy which is a hard one to answer because we all are pretty laid back in life but we do hit frustrating periods in our career that can be very deflating. It’s all part of the journey and we are here for all of it. At the end of the day we get to play music and do things we used to dream about when we were growing up together in that small town.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Zack Knudsen
A Thousand Horses Deluxe album ‘The Outside’ is out now.
Listen Here: https://stem.ffm.to/theoutsidedeluxe
2025 UK Summer Dates
30th July – Saint Lukes, Glasgow
31st July – Manchester Academy, Manchester
1st August – Islington Assembly Hall, London
Tickets are on sale now and available here.
