Drew Dixon Talks His Music, Favourite Instruments And More

Nashville blues/swamp rock artist Drew Dixon was born and raised in the American south. The last few years he’s shared the stage with legendary acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Grand Funk Railroad, Kaleo, Lee Brice, and Randy Houser. As he is scheduled to perform at Maid Of Stone Festival 2024, we wanted to speak to the man himself and he kindly agreed:

What is your earliest musical memory?

I don’t know how old I was, but I have a vivid memory of sitting on a porch up in the Appalachian mountains listening to James Taylor’s Greatest Hits album. The intro to “Something In The Way She Moves” still brings me back to that moment.

When did you begin songwriting and recording music?

I started jamming with friends when I was 7, ripping off Green Day, Offspring, and Hootie and the Blowfish songs, but I don’t know if I’d call what we were doing songwriting. It wasn’t until high school I started really digging into creating my own stuff.

One of your tracks is called ‘Leather’. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?

I’ve always loved finding stories in places that there might not usually be. This song is definitely one of those, where every crack in the leather could be a different story. Every character could represent a different emotion, or situation. That was the emotion in the room that day. I wrote this one with Jenny Teator and Jack Fiskio and we all knew it was a special song when we finished it.

Where did you record the track and who produced it?

I recorded it in Nashville, and Andrew Douglas produced it, at his own studio.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, etc?

I’ve loved Gretsch guitars for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been lucky to play them for about 12 years now. My go-to in The States is a G5410T with some upgraded Filter’tron pickups. In the UK I use a G5422TG. My pedal setup is super simple: a tube screamer, a digital delay, and a tuner. Usually I run through a Fender Blues Jr amp, but when I’m playing in the UK I usually just use whatever is available haha.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

That’s tough, I grew up in Columbia, SC, and will always call that home. However, I’ve lived in Nashville, TN, for 13 years so I’ll describe that. Music, creativity, dreams, traffic, tourists.

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

Absolutely!! We just finished a month long run in the UK back in May. It was the longest run I’ve had abroad so it was really cool to go outside my comfort zone and see what happens. Next month we’ll be at the Maid of Stone Festival, and also in London for an acoustic show a couple days later. There’s a CHANCE we might have some shows developing in Europe this fall but I don’t want to jinx it.

You will be performing on Sunday 21st July 2024 on the Firestarter Stage at Maid of Stone Festival in Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent. How are you feeling about performing there and how do you approach a festival set?

I can’t wait!! I’m honored to have been picked to perform and I don’t take it lightly. The lineup is insane and I can’t believe we’re on the bill with some of my favorite bands. In terms of approach, we just want to go up there and have as much fun as possible. I love watching bands have fun, so I want any audience that watches us to have that same experience.

Do you have a band that you perform with? If so, who is in the band and what do they play?

I do!! I’ve been very fortunate to play with some amazing local UK artists on my tours abroad. On guitar, Mr Dean Parker; on bass, Mr George Price; on drums, Mr Sion Dungey.

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?

Wow. I love this question. I would say Sherlock Holmes Hound of the Baskervilles. One of my tattoos is actually from the cover of Hound of the Baskervilles. It’s one of my favorites. I just think there’s so many emotions or themed involved that I love writing about: mystery, murder, superstition. Also, there’s amazing characters to write about as well, so many stories to tell. I would love that.

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest, I would say South Carolina. It’s a homesick song, but it’s a song about home, and that makes me happy. Angriest, Dead Man. I wrote that in a really angry place and the lyrics certainly reflect it. Most reflective, Music’s Over. It’s truly a song about watching someone make the same mistakes you did.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Growing up in the American south, I had a lot of influences. Blues, soul, southern rock, gospel, 90’s alternative, R&B. Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Rolling Stones… it’s a tough list to narrow down. Recommendations meaning who am I listening to right now? I can’t stop listening to My Morning Jacket’s live albums. They’re probably my favorite band to see live over the last 15 years.

Do you have any plans for further music releases this year?

Definitely!! We recorded 3 acoustic songs in Newcastle Upon Tyne while I was there in May, so we’ll be releasing those, with video, as well as hopefully two full band recordings this Fall.

How do you look after your voice?

Lots of water. Whiskey here and there.

What makes Drew Dixon happy and what makes you unhappy?

Connection makes me happy. Whether it’s through music or some other form, I think that’s beautiful. Unhappy? I don’t really know… not eating good food? Yeah, probably that.