I was noticing there wasn’t any singer/songwriter/guitarists in the city. I think at that time, I was definitely conscious that I was somewhat of an anomaly in the city and doing something that was different because the musical landscape at that time was predominately country music, there was some rock going on. I was kind of seeing it in a miniscule way when I was doing open mics. What were some major turning points around that time for you, especially as it pertains to your professional career as a musician? Yo! I have PTSD just thinking about that. I’ve spent my fair share of time in the dish pit-it can be hell to get the grease off some of those pots and pans. So, I think it created that perspective to where I never belittle anyone based on who they are or what they do. Even now, I look at it like those types of people who are in those jobs, they keep the world going. I subsequently worked this place called Rosa’s Café and then Del Frisco’s and then I transitioned to doing music for a living. I worked at Six Flags amusement park in Arlington, Texas. I mean, my whole job trajectory is pretty small. I worked in the back of the house as a dishwasher. Did you work in the front of the house or back of the house? I worked as a bartender, waiter, and line cook for many years. Something that’s always been ingrained-my mother is a big factor in instilling that within me and my siblings. And then also not wanting to be deemed as lazy amongst my coworkers and managers. I think the motivation in that time was that I needed to get through the day. I think a lot of it, for me, was just like when I was in the restaurant industry. But where do you think your work ethic comes from in this way? You’re known for playing a million open mics as you were coming up. So, it was a mixture of things I attributed to that sound. There was a time in my songwriting journey where I just felt compelled to shape my songs around soul music, along with the community of musicians I used to run with. It’s just one of those things-throughout our lives we store so much music and influences and it ultimately just pours out into the art. My father was really into Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, and Sam Cooke and my mother was into Anita Baker and Sade. Man, I think a lot of that comes from-I would say the seed was planted initially through my parents. What do you think originally drew you to older sounds or aesthetics? by the name of “A Wink and a Smile.” I remember as a kid thinking it was kind of like an older tune, not knowing that was a modern record of the time. Some of the earliest memories for me was when my mother would go pick up my father from work and she would play the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack. Jake Uitti ( Under the Radar): When did you first discover music as a young person? We also talked the repercussions of fame and working in the restaurant industry. We caught up with Bridges to ask him about the genesis of the single, video and LP. The video for the romantic track was directed by the famed artist and musician, Anderson. Yet, when you’re one of the best singers on earth, few days are uneventful.īridges, who will release his forthcoming LP, Gold-Diggers Sound, on July 23 via Columbia, released the record’s first single, “Motorbike,” and corresponding music video today. To him, often an uneventful day is the best kind. But, deep down, Bridges is a low-key fellow. In fact, one might want to hear him belt out a vocal run more so than the crooner seems willing. Rather, Bridges is often reserved, measured, composed. But it’s not one that he throws out bombastically or haphazardly. Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, Leon Bridges, has one of the best voices on the planet.
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