Jason Isbell with Sadler Vaden at the KERA studio for their KXT Live Session. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jason Isbell stopped in at the KXT Live Session studio this week, playing songs from his upcoming album Weathervanes and answering questions about his recent HBO documentary, his Twitter antics, and his upcoming role in Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon.
Featuring the 400 Unit’s guitarist Sadler Vaden, the duo played acoustic renditions of “Death Wish,” “Middle of the Morning,” and “Cast Iron Skillet” – songs that are currently available for listening from the new album.
KXT Program Director Benji McPhail giving the rundown of production to Jason Isbell. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Jason Isbell. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Isbell joked that since Jack White had already done an acoustic cover of “Death Wish,” that he was basically doing a cover of Jack White’s cover of his own song.
KXT Program Director Benji McPhail interviewed the four-time GRAMMY Award winner, diving into details on how Isbell likes to anchor songs in something a listener can hold onto and take along the journey.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s new album Weathervanes drops June 9. Photo: Jessica Waffles
A handful of KXT supporting members were allowed to sit behind the cameras to watch Jason Isbell perform during the private session. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Isbell’s spirit comes through his performance, showcasing his diary of songs at KXT. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Isbell’s HBO documentary Running With Our Eyes Closed with director/producer Sam Jones (the person behind Wilco’s I Am Trying to Break Your Heart doc) was released April 7 of this year.
The documentary offers an intimate look at Isbell’s formative years as a young musician with Drive-By Truckers, as well as the problematic tendencies that come with a rock and roll lifestyle. It also gives a window into the tender pieces of his marriage to Amanda Shires that comes to a head during the recording process of Reunions.
“There are two kinds of documentaries,” Isbell said. “There’s the kind that the artist is comfortable with, and there’s the kind that’s not boring.”
Isbell and Vaden’s tight musical chemistry comes from 10 years of working together. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jason Isbell’s documentary “Running With Our Eyes Closed” dropped on HBO Max last month, telling the story of recording his 2020 record, Reunions. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Many topics were covered in the interview with Jason Isbell, including one of his most viral Twitter moments about feral hogs and gun control. Photo: Jessica Waffles
The documentary isn’t Isbell’s only recent on-screen appearance, as he was cast in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon alongside movie heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
In the interview, he laughed about how for the first three days De Niro might have thought Isbell was a method actor – because he never dropped his Southern accent off-screen – until realizing that’s just how he talked.
The film premieres at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival May 20.
Isbell’s humorous character was evident in is demeanor, poking fun at himself wearing jorts into the studio. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jason Isbell plays at The Factory in Deep Ellum tonight, May 9. Photo: Jessica Waffles
While all the movie stuff may be exciting, the heart of the artist is still inside the songs of his discography and upcoming Weathervanes album, set to release June 9.
The 13-song album is a collection of songs about adult love, change, the danger of nostalgia, the interrogation of myths, cruelty, regret and redemption.
Find a breakdown of songs on the album’s Bandcamp Page.
Catch Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit tonight May 9 in Dallas at The Factory in Deep Ellum and ACL Live in Austin at the Moody Theatre the next three nights.
See his full tour dates on his website.
“Death Wish,” “Middle of the Morning,” and “Cast Iron Skillet” from the upcoming album Weathervanes are available for listening now. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Getting in the last moments to thank Jason Isbell for stopping into KXT. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jessica Waffles is a freelance photographer/videographer and regular contributor to KXT.
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