American musician and singer-songwriter Pam Ross creates amazing bluesy rock songs with more than a hint of Americana and country mixed in. Her latest release, Falling Off the Merry Go Round, really caught my attention, so I decided to have a chat with the artist herself. You can find out more about Pam here:
By Jane Howkins
You released a single titled Falling Off the Merry Go Round. What can you tell us about the track?
It’s about school shootings and the societal issues that have fuelled them. Yes, guns are a part of the problem, but if you removed all of them today, the violence wouldn’t stop. These people would create IEDs, use an axe or find some other means to kill. I feel we need to look deeper. I bring up bullying, lack of parenting, the media giving notoriety to these killers etc. and a world that is spinning out of control. There’s a lot more involved with the problem than just guns.
How has the reception to the song been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
The reception has been really good. It reached #13 on the iTunes/IChart for rock back in April and has streamed extremely well. It’s a sensitive topic, so I wasn’t sure how people would respond. Ya know, everyone says how horrified they are about these shootings, and something has got to be done, but no one wants to talk about it. People really shy away from the topic, and nothing gets solved that way. I think it’s because we have to look at ourselves as part of the problem… it’s part of the world we’ve created, and people don’t like that.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
I just released my fifth single yesterday, June 16th. It’s called Two Shots of Tequila. Thanks to an early release by my management company, MTS, it’s #8 on the UK iTunes Country chart.
Are there any plans to release an album or EP anytime soon?
Falling Off the Merry Go Round is part of an album called When Therapy Fails. I’m releasing one song every five months. Falling Off is actually the fourth single from this record. I should be finished releasing songs from it in early 2024.
Your music has a folky, Americana sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I listen to a lot of different music. That’s why some songs sound more rock while others sound more country. My music is a mash of many genres. My influences range from Nirvana, The Foo Fighters, Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Johnny Cash, Van Halen, all the way through to The Stones.
The Foo Fighters just put out a new album, so I’m definitely listening to them a lot… but I always do. Some others are Wolfgang Van Halen (Mammoth), Dierks Bentley, Bush and Luke Bryan.
What is the writing and recording process like for you?
I always write alone. It almost always starts with me coming up with music on my guitar or keyboard and goes from there. Sometimes the songs come quickly and at other times I work on a song for days.
I do rough draft recordings at home with vocals, guitar, and keyboard. This is where I really build ideas for how I want the final product to sound. I come up with keyboard hooks and ideas for other instruments. For me, it’s the part I enjoy the most. It’s a really creative time. I head into the studio once I have the songs where I want them. The whole recording process from start to finish is fun for me. I love bringing it all together and working with other musicians to bring a song to life.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up this year?
I’ll be releasing a song every two months. The next song will be out in August. I’m playing a lot shows and festivals over the summer and into the fall. I hope to be playing a BMI showcase in Austin, TX as well. Believe it or not, I’m also getting songs ready for my next album.
Where are you based? How is the local music scene faring at the moment?
I’m from Houston, TX, but I am currently living in North Carolina.
The music scene in the Raleigh area has its ups and downs. It’s very vibrant but saturated with cover bands. Don’t get me wrong, I like cover bands and think they’re a lot of fun. It’s just that the music scene here is lacking when it comes to original music. I’m not used to that. Houston, Austin and Nashville have a huge draw for original music. There are plenty of places for cover bands and original artists to perform. There’s something for everyone. Unfortunately, that’s not the case around here. The bright side is that it helps me stand out.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
No, but I wish I did. That would be so cool! I hope to get there sometime in the near future.
Any last words for the fans?
Thanks for listening! You can keep up to date on everything I’m doing at my socials.
Social media: Website, Facebook, Spotify, Youtube, Instagram