Nashville hitmaker Hardy on love songs, trauma therapy and Post Malone
As a seasoned musician hailing from Nashville, I can relate to Michael Trotter’s struggles with love songs and societal negativity. The city’s music scene has seen its fair share of love-filled ballads, but it seems like we’re in a bit of a dry spell right now. Writing love songs isn’t my forte either; I’m more of a brooding, introspective songwriter.
Hardy vividly recalls his first encounter with the nü-metal troublemakers of Limp Bizkit.
He shares that upon arriving home from school, he found ‘Nookie’ playing on TRL. This track was a hit from the seven-times-platinum album “Significant Other” by Limp Bizkit. As a 9-year-old, he admits to being slightly scared, but he couldn’t help but think it was amazing, with guitarist Wes Borland sporting blacked-out eyes and dressing up like a monkey on stage.
25 years after his initial rise to fame, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit fame is one of the artists appearing on Hardy’s latest album titled “Quit!!”. This record offers a complete dive into the post-grunge hard rock sound from the late ’90s and early 2000s, brought to us by one of Nashville’s top songwriters. Known for his five Academy of Country Music Awards, Hardy has penned several hits such as Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country”, Florida Georgia Line’s “Simple”, Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You” and “More Than My Hometown”, and both “Sand in My Boots” and “Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots”. This week, Hardy (whose real name is Michael) played a key role in Post Malone’s recent foray into country music with the hit single “F-1 Trillion”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
According to Ernest, who collaborated with Hardy and Wallen on the hit song “More Than My Hometown”, he often takes a leading role in his writing sessions. However, when Hardy is present, Ernest feels like he’s the secondary one. In simple terms, Ernest says that Hardy is unique and stands out in comparison to others.
The successor to last year’s hybrid of half-country and half-rock titled “The Mockingbird & the Crow,” entitled “Quit!!”, brings to mind the characters from Hardy’s adolescence in a small Mississippi town. It was MTV that exposed him not only to Limp Bizkit, but also to Puddle of Mudd and Linkin Park during this time. Later, influenced by Brad Paisley and Eric Church, he relocated to Nashville following his college years with the aim of songwriting; the title track of the new album references a bar napkin that was left in a tip jar during one of his early performances.
In 2018, Hardy began recording his own tunes, with “One Beer” reaching No.1 on country radio in 2020. Yet, he continued to relish the intense sounds he masterfully expresses in “Quit!!”. Notable tracks from the album include the insanely infectious “Psycho”, the energetic “Good Girl Phase” featuring Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums, and “Six Feet Under (Caleigh’s Song)”, a powerful acoustic ballad penned by Hardy for his wife following a severe tour bus accident in October 2022. During a recent visit to Los Angeles, the 33-year-old musician, dressed casually in denim cutoffs and a red-white-and-blue NASCAR T-shirt, discussed the album over breakfast at the Sunset Marquis.
Are you under the impression that I’ve created a rock album due to my dissatisfaction with country music? Actually, I am currently working on a country record. Writing an outstanding country song gives me more joy than composing a rock one – that’s why I moved to Nashville. However, I must admit that writing rock songs is quite entertaining too.
Hey there! As a die-hard Kenny Chesney fan, I’ve got to say, his latest No. 1 hit as a country artist was “Take Her Home” in June. Currently, there’s no other song of his on the chart for me to groove along to—that’s the one, my friend!
Are you concerned about this situation? At the moment, it doesn’t trouble me because I view it as part of a larger picture. Truth be told, due to my own commitments, I haven’t penned any new songs for the past six to eight months – which might explain why there aren’t any of my songs on the charts currently. Over the coming fall and spring seasons, I have around six months with minimal touring. During this time, I expect to write approximately 100 songs, and hopefully some of them will chart next year. Fingers crossed!
× Originally, when someone writes a song called “Psycho,” it’s usually about an unbalanced female character. However, in this case, you’re the one being labeled as the psycho.
It’s a funny song. But what did it feel like as someone who works in country music to write from the perspective of a narrator who’s genuinely unwell?
Oh, it’s very freeing. There’s so much more to talk about than what you can talk about in country music. But there’s a new wave of people who are becoming more open to talking about mental health or whatever you want to call it, which is a good thing. Jelly Roll’s got a song right now, “I Am Not Okay.”
Might a nation adapt the role of singing “Psycho,” leaning into the quirky female character? Audience acceptance might be higher with a woman in this part compared to a man.
Was I taken aback by the depth of impact the bus accident had on me? Indeed, you recalled that I was still grappling with panic attacks on Instagram last year. Yes, I was surprised, as the anniversary of the crash in October 2023 seemed to trigger a series of events that led to what I can only describe as a mental breakdown. The weather, the falling leaves, and even the sound of football were triggers that unexpectedly resurfaced emotions I thought I had buried. It turns out that those memories were still very much alive beneath the surface.
After a series of 100 consecutive performances, every evening before sleep, it used to be the first thing on my mind. However, these days I no longer ponder over it; I’ve managed to overcome it with trauma therapy and related treatments.
As a child, I didn’t have many conversations about therapy with my parents. For a long time, I viewed it as unnecessary due to the beliefs prevalent in my hometown, either that men shouldn’t delve into their emotions or that therapy doesn’t work effectively. However, once I started attending sessions, I found it beneficial and changed my perspective on it. Now, I am open about my experiences with therapy and no longer feel embarrassed to discuss it. I have my wife to thank for suggesting I seek help in the first place.
She’s from California, right?
Yep, and that’s why. Completely different out here.
Discuss the song “Soul4Sale,” which deals with the worry of compromising one’s artistic integrity, often referred to as selling out. This was a common concern among musicians back in the ’90s, but it doesn’t seem to be a major issue for my generation. I guess it’s because I grew up as a country boy, and I fear changing myself too much rather than just my music. It’s also crucial for my songwriting, particularly in the country genre. That’s probably why I bring it up so frequently. However, we do share pictures of jets on social media because it’s enjoyable, not to give the impression that I live a simple life in a cabin.
Looking back over the past six and a half years, I can hardly believe the twists and turns my journey has taken! Back then, I was just a songwriter, content to stay behind the scenes. But now, here I am, stepping into the spotlight as an artist. It’s like living a completely different life – one that I never could have imagined!
What was my ideal outcome as a writer? It was to achieve thirty number one hits, sell several catalogs, earn $10 million, and live comfortably on that income. This had been my aspiration for quite some time.
Was there a particular person you had in mind as an inspiration or role model? (In Rodney Clawson’s case, he continues to write songs, but his primary interests now are bass fishing and deer hunting.)
× Previously, you mentioned not being inclined to engage with political discussions. However, during your performance at Stagecoach this year, an “U-S-A” cheer erupted from the audience while you sang “God’s Country.” It was indeed a moment I actively endorsed.
As a cinema enthusiast, when it comes to politics, I find myself more intrigued by the question of whom you’re casting your vote for. However, I’ve always steered clear of expressing my own political leanings – it doesn’t matter who you choose. But let me remind you, we’re fortunate to reside in a nation that allows us this freedom, and there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in that.
I agree, it seems like the value you’re referring to is dwindling with each passing generation.
In a conversation at Stagecoach, I discussed with The War and Treaty their sentiments regarding acceptance in country music as African Americans. Michael Trotter Jr. shared that when artists promote redneck culture onstage, it doesn’t seem inclusive to them. Their latest album concludes with “The Redneck Song,” but this is not meant for everyone; he emphasized that one can be a redneck without being racist.
Is the term “redneck” considered controversial or potentially offensive?
Michael Trotter mentioned that he and his wife compose love songs, but Nashville seems to be in a phase where there aren’t many love songs being written. Since I don’t typically write love songs myself, it could be my work that influenced this trend.
Why don’t you?
I’m not good at it. I’m a very emotional guy, but I’m not a very lovey-dovey guy.
“The TV series ‘Six Feet Under’ comes across as quite romantic.”
Why has Post Malone been so warmly accepted by the Nashville community? It’s likely because he relocated to Nashville for about half a year when he decided to produce a country album. He deeply engaged with the city’s culture, regularly visiting Losers bar every evening until 3 am, and collaborating with local songwriters who have a deep understanding of country music and could guide him through the process.
A significant contrast has been noted between the reception of Post’s music within the realm of country, compared to Beyoncé’s. While it’s important to note that Beyoncé didn’t relocate to Nashville, the difference is noticeable. I personally don’t set the standards or dictate the rules, but it’s evident that the songs on Post’s album were crafted by individuals who reside and work in Nashville – the heartland of country music production. This doesn’t mean I’m criticizing Beyoncé’s record at all.
Are you a fan of “Cowboy Carter”? Well, there are some tracks on it that I enjoy. I don’t hate it, but it seems like someone else’s interpretation of country music rather than the authentic Nashville sound. However, I’m not judging; it’s just that there is a noticeable difference between the two.
How about we discuss your unique style instead? You’ve got around ten shirts that you alternate, pairing them with jorts and hospital shoes. Some might label it a distinct style of yours. However, being married to a beautiful woman takes the focus off my attire. Frankly, I couldn’t care less.
Has your spouse ever subtly suggested swapping your jorts for jeans at an event? However, she is aware that I tend not to mind either way.
Is it true that success often means reaching a stage where one can casually say, “I don’t give it a second thought”?
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2024-08-26 19:32