The Fargo Railroad Co. Talks New Album, Musical Memories And More

Sheffield based The Fargo Railroad Co. bring their Southern Rock and Americana roots on new album ‘Time & Grace’ which is out now. Intrigued by their sound, JLTT wanted to ask them more about their new album, musical memories and more and they kindly agreed: 

Who is in The Fargo Railroad Co., what do they play and how did you meet?

Jody Davies – Guitar and Vocals

Andy Dye – Bass and backing vocals

Andy Davison – Guitar and backing vocals

Steven McMurray – Drums

Jody, songwriter, singer and guitarist, and bassist Andy started the band back in 2013 with Jody’s brother Leon on drums, and friend Mike playing the guitar. A couple of changes over the years brought Steven ‘Smack ’McMurray on the drums, and Andy P Davison in on guitar, both of whom they knew from around the music scene in Sheffield. This line up has been in place since 2019. Essentially a 4 piece but we like to beg, borrow and steal other players (keys / pedal steel) to join us for some live gigs.

You have your new album ‘Time & Grace’  which is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

The last album (Under These Lights) was recorded at John Parr’s studio in Yorkshire by our friend James Jayawardena, which was incredible and we all felt that we had raised the bar in terms of production, so we wanted to make sure that this wasn’t compromised in this recording but also ensured the integrity of our sound. We wanted to keep pushing ourselves and find someone who could give us the Americana sound we wanted for this record. We really feel like we have achieved this, whilst working with our producer to get the very best out of each song.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

The album was recorded at Echo Zoo studios Eastbourne, with Dave Izumi Lynch and the session keys and pedal Steel guys he has around him – we feel like we’ve captured something special. A brilliant experience and by the sea !! We’ll be heading back there for sure.

Your new single is ‘Going Nowhere’ which is out now. What is the inspiration/story behind the song?

The premise of this song is really simple – driving at night, listening to songs, going nowhere and doing nothing. But the sentiment here is that, not only, is doing nothing ok but at times in life it is something to be actively pursued. The band had played this song a number of times but as is often the case in a studio a song gets reconstructed and the end result becomes exactly what was wanted. The instrumental in particular on this track is a soundscape that gets to the band every time. Shout out to Melvyn Duffy on Pedal Steel and Mark Edwards on keys.

What is your earliest musical memory?

We all had parents who were music lovers so thankfully we all have been raised in homes where songs and melodies were commonplace so its always been a part of our lives. Jody had the prog rock, Smack the Country, Andy the Poco and Andy P the Beatles and Stones in our formative years. These are the seeds that grow in several different directions. We all have common ground in rock music though. Although if you were to ever travel with us in our van to / from gigs you’d be very very surprised what we have listened to!

Who are some of your musical influences?

Our common ones are Dire Straits, Eagles, Neil Young, The Band, Poco, Led Zeppelin, Lindisfarne, Marshall Tucker, Blackberry Smoke and Americana in general.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

1) That we have had a good time…. Given the best performance we can, and shared that feeling that only comes when the whole room are singing the songs back to us. Crowd participation is a big thing for us, with songs like Punch Drunk – where we teach the crowd to sing the rounds like a boxing match back to us, and the choruses to Jackie, Vegas and Drinking Alone. We’ve had some mega interaction with the crowd singing Jody’s an a**hole back to us…. You would have to come to a show to find out what that means.

2) Left them wanting more……..

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

Smack, whilst happy to hit anything loves his Slingerland drums and dark trashy cymbals (24” Murat Diril crash /ride for starters) Jody plays the most beautiful Gibson acoustic J45, he calls it Dolly as it was made in the same year Mrs Parton was born. Andy has a number of exquisite custom made Shuker basses and Andy P has his cherry red Gibson Les Paul. Not too many effects, we love that raw, rootsy sound that compliment Jody’s vocals and songwriting.

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

We always say we are from Sheffield, although our birth places see us hail from further afield it is Sheffield where we are centered. In 5 words I would say……

Steel, culture, innovation, green spaces OR An amazing place to visit

It has such a rich musical heritage that we’re not as good at promoting ourselves on the back of, like Manchester does for example. Joe Cocker, Dave Berry, Def Leppard, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, the Human League, and Michael Palin, Dominic West, all from Sheffield. Not forgetting Sean Bean too!

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?

I’m not sure any of us read novels?! The last book Andy P read was Last Train to Memphis, the biography of Elvis, there’s already been a recent biopic movie of him so we’re pretty stumped with that question.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

It was just such a great experience, the place was perfect to get the best out of us and was a haven for old vintage instruments. When Melvin came in to do his pedal steel parts, he was such an incredible musician. The sounds he made gave us goosebumps. We got chatting, and turns out he’s played with some of the biggest acts in history! Check him out, Melvin Duffy.

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

We’ve done two tours of Spain previously but put that on hold so we can concentrate on promoting the album in the UK. We have plenty of shows booked for this year to promote our new album. Starting with a hometown show at Corporation in Sheffield which was on 5th April, and onwards. so we have festival slots and shows throughout the UK this year – we try our best to keep our socials up to date so hope to see you on the (rail)road sometime soon.

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

We’ve been playing most of these songs live for a fair while now, One Mile in fact was one of the earliest of Jody’s, and it’s always been one of our most popular. It’s so upbeat and has a great hook. Angriest, none of them, Jody’s not an angry person, none of us are! Most reflective, they all have an element of reflection, they’re from Jody’s experience of life, his pain and his humour. London Road, which is a very lively area of Sheffield, is the most reflective I’d say, and Jody really bears his soul and leaves nothing hidden in Moving On. Just beautiful.

Was it a difficult album to write?

It was difficult choosing which songs and I think if we were to record it now, there would be some changes with a couple of new songs. But at the time they were the ones we agreed on alongside Dave and his thoughts. Part of the decision making process in working with a producer is being able to fine tune and something chop or change an existing structure.. what you hear on the album is not necessarily the same songs that we went into the studio with – our most fervent fans will be able to spot the differences. Working on songs is such a fun part of the process, trying to find what groove and parts work for each song. Some just come together naturally like “jackie come on” others need more attention. Moving On had several different forms before we settled on the one on the album. We changed the rhythm and tempo from it’s earliest incarnation, and we love the way it turned out. Jody writes all the words, the chords and the structures and in the period after the lockdown, he was producing some really incredible stuff, and was really prolific with it, the results of which you can hear on this album.

How do you look after your voices?

Only speak when spoken to and Whisky coffee and Kebabs

Who designed/created the album artwork?

Our brother in arms, Mr Joe Armitage aka Boneshaker Photography, he has helped us with our 2 prior studio albums as well. He is a design genius !! We also dedicate it to our friend, hero and biggest champion Martin Bedford, who sadly passed away at the end of last year. We miss him so much.

What makes The Fargo Railroad Co. happy and what makes you unhappy?

Live shows are the thing that makes us all happiest. There really is no better feeling that when you have the crowd with you, singing back our songs, dancing and going crazy. We’re all pretty sociable guys to and we love talking to people after the shows. You should come check us out!

Unhappy, it seems that since covid, more and more venues are struggling with getting people in, and suffering from the hit this makes on their finances. This is critical for the future of music. Times are hard on everyone, and if we’re not careful, the live music experience will be eroded more and more, before it just doesn’t happen in any recognisable sense, if we don’t find a solution. What can we say – keep supporting live music !