The War And Treaty Coming To Irving Plaza

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – "The War And Treaty Coming To Irving Plaza"

Release Date: March 19, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: The War and Treaty (Tanya and Michael Trotter)

Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, listeners are treated to an intimate and insightful conversation with the Grammy-nominated musical duo, The War and Treaty, comprised of husband and wife Tanya and Michael Trotter. The episode centers around their latest album, "Plus One," their upcoming live performance at Irving Plaza, and their journey in the music industry.

Recording at FAME Studios

Alison Stewart opens the discussion by addressing the influence of recording at the iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, a place renowned for its rich musical heritage.

Alison Stewart [07:59]: "You know, I was listening there, listening. And I was thinking, they produce this record at the FAME Studios, right? It's a Muscle Shoals sound. How does making a record there influence how it sounds, Tanya?"
Tanya Trotter [08:15]: "Well, I mean, the history. When you think of that room and you think of all the people that have had the opportunity to stand behind that booth and what they brought, you know, so the going in the door immediately, the standards are high, not just the singers, but the musicians that have also played in that room. And it just changes how you approach your songs, and it changes how you come into your sessions. You know, there's a reverence in that building. And so us and our band, what we brought to that was that reverence. And, you know, we're very excited that we had an opportunity to record it there."

Insights: Recording at FAME Studios imbues the duo’s music with a depth and authenticity rooted in the studio’s storied past. Tanya emphasizes the high standards and reverence that come with working in such a legendary space, influencing their approach to songwriting and performance.

Country Music as a Storytelling Vehicle

The conversation shifts to why country music serves as an effective medium for The War and Treaty’s personal narratives.

Michael Trotter [09:06]: "I think it's always a good vehicle when it's an opportunity to tell a different story. I think that's the key and the goal here. I think so many people believe country music is one way it looks this one way it represents this one thing. And what Ty and I do is we're bringing the representation, but also we're doing a return. Our journey with country music began with Ray Charles, you know, and then country music's journey itself. A lot of people, you know, they go way back with the banjo, but if you will go and you look at some of those stories that the Carter family have and sitting with those black families and those black farmers and just those black southerners, they are the originators of country music. And they looked exactly like Tanya and I."
Alison Stewart [09:55]: "The banjo came from Africa."
Michael Trotter [09:57]: "Absolutely. Absolutely."

Insights: Michael highlights the often-overlooked African roots of country music, aligning their work with its original diverse influences. This perspective not only challenges common stereotypes but also honors the genre's true heritage, allowing Tanya and Michael to infuse their music with authenticity and representation.

Transition into Country Music

Tanya elaborates on their transition from R&B and gospel to country music, emphasizing the organic nature of this shift.

Tanya Trotter [10:13]: "I would have to say that country music, it found me. I mean, as Michael said, it's always been storytelling, and the truth has always been the foundation of gospel music, you know, So I think that I've always had my foot in what I know as traditional storytelling. And the country music industry just found Michael and I, you know, we were. We moved from Michigan, and we didn't even really know that there was a such thing called the Americana genre. We were just doing music that we loved, and Albion, Michigan introduced us to the blues, you know, all over again. It's not that we didn't know it, but it really ignited something different in us. And so we infused the blues and the gospel, and it just happened to have certain instruments in there that lean into country music. So I think that the country music genre, it really found us and welcomed us with open arms because of the. Maybe the soulful sounds that are on top of instruments that people may not, you know, have heard those voices collaborate with in this era."

Insights: Their move into country music was a natural progression rooted in storytelling and authenticity. Tanya credits their time in Michigan and exposure to blues reinvigorating their musical style, seamlessly blending R&B, gospel, and country elements to create a unique sound that resonated with the Americana genre.

Producing Their Own Album: Plus One

Alison Stewart transitions to discussing their new album, "Plus One," highlighting their role as producers.

Alison Stewart [17:21]: "So what is a sonic decision? A decision you made that seemed a little risky."
Michael Trotter [17:18]: "It is risky."
Michael Trotter [17:19]: "I don't know. I think in a time where people who play it safe lose, we're seeing it. We're seeing it in everyday life. And the Warren Treaty, we're not a safe band. We take risk, whether it be musical risk or whether it be fashion risk. We take those risks and we take them proudly. And at the end of the day, we take those risks because they're honest."
Tanya Trotter [18:07]: "Well, I think it says growth and it says that you. I don't think you. I think over time you do learn to trust yourself, you know, as a musician, as an artist and now co-producer on a lot of our projects. It's growing into trusting yourself, you know, because it does seem easier to just write a bunch of songs and give it to someone and let them nurture it into the world. But when you decide that you kind of know what it sounds like, you want to know what your mixes sound like. You want to know. You want to give the freedom to your band to be creative as well. And sometimes you don't have that with the musicians."
Michael Trotter [19:06]: "But also, I'm the producer."

Insights: Taking on the role of producers for "Plus One" signifies their artistic growth and desire for creative control. Michael emphasizes their commitment to authenticity by taking risks both musically and in their fashion, rejecting the notion of playing it safe to maintain honesty in their work. Tanya highlights the importance of trusting themselves and their creative instincts, ensuring their music aligns with their vision.

Musical Risks and Authenticity

The duo discusses the importance of taking risks in their music to maintain authenticity.

Michael Trotter [17:21]: "We take those risks because they're honest."
Tanya Trotter [18:46]: "You want the freedom. I think it says that you've grown into a place where you really just want to have the freedom to have what it is that you write and you create to sound the way that you want it to sound when it comes, when it hits the ear wave of your fans."
Michael Trotter [19:25]: "Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail."

Insights: Authenticity is at the core of their artistic philosophy. By embracing risks, The War and Treaty ensures their music remains genuine and resonates deeply with listeners. Michael’s advice to "always let Tanya lead" underscores the collaborative and respectful dynamic within the duo, fostering an environment where creativity thrives.

Upcoming Tour and Live Performance

Alison Stewart highlights their upcoming live performance and tour details.

Alison Stewart [22:53]: "March 26th is our first day we hit the road. We go, well, I'm sure the 27th is the first day we hit the road, but our first show is in Minneapolis on March 26th."
Michael Trotter [23:10]: "The Plus One tour."
Alison Stewart [23:27]: "The War and Treaty. Their new album is called Plus One. I understand you're gonna be in our area in the spring."

Insights: The War and Treaty are set to embark on the Plus One Tour, starting in Minneapolis on March 26th. Their performances promise to showcase the rich, soulful sounds of their new album, drawing fans eager to experience their live renditions at venues like Irving Plaza on April 8th.

Future Projects: Film and #MoreTanya

Looking ahead, the duo shares exciting developments about a forthcoming film and a new hashtag campaign.

Michael Trotter [21:58]: "We're actually moving now into the casting phase, so I'm super excited about it. We've been batting some things around as to who could play me and then who could play Tanya. And I won't say much about this, but I will say this. Here's the tag. The war brought him music. Music brought him love. And the film is actually called the War and Treaty."
Tanya Trotter [22:31]: "Resilience."
Michael Trotter [22:38]: "Fight. I would say fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing, and fight for love."
Michael Trotter [21:42]: "We have a hashtag called more Tonya, and I think that that is a very important hashtag to have more Tonya in the story, more Tanya in speaking, more Tanya in her fashion, as you so kindly are wearing one of Tanya's designs that she didn't even acknowledge."

Insights: The War and Treaty are expanding their artistic endeavors with a biographical film titled "The War and Treaty," aimed at showcasing their love story and resilience. Additionally, their #MoreTanya campaign seeks to amplify Tanya’s influence in storytelling, speech, and fashion, highlighting her as a pivotal force in their collective narrative.

Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by reiterating the highlights of her conversation with The War and Treaty and teasing future content.

Alison Stewart [23:28]: "You will be playing live at Irving Plaza coming up in just a few weeks on April 8th."
Alison Stewart [23:31]: "Coming up, we'll hear more music performed live in our studio. After the break, we'll hear from Ikura of the J pop duo Yasobe about recording songs in both English and Japanese, using their music to tell stories and more."

Final Thoughts: This episode of All Of It delves deep into the artistry and aspirations of The War and Treaty, offering listeners a comprehensive look at their creative process, the significance of their musical choices, and their plans for the future. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to their music, this conversation provides valuable insights into the heart and soul behind their evocative sound.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Tanya Trotter [08:15]: "There's a reverence in that building. And so us and our band, what we brought to that was that reverence."
Michael Trotter [09:06]: "Our journey with country music began with Ray Charles... they are the originators of country music. And they looked exactly like Tanya and I."
Tanya Trotter [10:13]: "Country music, it found me... we infused the blues and the gospel."
Michael Trotter [17:19]: "We take those risks because they're honest."
Michael Trotter [19:25]: "Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail."
Michael Trotter [22:38]: "Fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing, and fight for love."

Upcoming Events

Live Performance: The War and Treaty will perform live at Irving Plaza on April 8th as part of their Plus One Tour.
Film Project: Expect the release of their biographical film, "The War and Treaty," which delves into their love story and artistic journey.
Hashtag Campaign: Follow and support their #MoreTanya initiative to amplify Tanya Trotter's role in their storytelling and fashion endeavors.

Stay tuned to All Of It for more engaging conversations with cultural creators and influencers shaping the vibrant landscape of New York City’s cultural scene.

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – "The War And Treaty Coming To Irving Plaza"

Release Date: March 19, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: The War and Treaty (Tanya and Michael Trotter)

Introduction

Recording at FAME Studios

Alison Stewart opens the discussion by addressing the influence of recording at the iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, a place renowned for its rich musical heritage.

Alison Stewart [07:59]: "You know, I was listening there, listening. And I was thinking, they produce this record at the FAME Studios, right? It's a Muscle Shoals sound. How does making a record there influence how it sounds, Tanya?"
Tanya Trotter [08:15]: "Well, I mean, the history. When you think of that room and you think of all the people that have had the opportunity to stand behind that booth and what they brought, you know, so the going in the door immediately, the standards are high, not just the singers, but the musicians that have also played in that room. And it just changes how you approach your songs, and it changes how you come into your sessions. You know, there's a reverence in that building. And so us and our band, what we brought to that was that reverence. And, you know, we're very excited that we had an opportunity to record it there."

Country Music as a Storytelling Vehicle

The conversation shifts to why country music serves as an effective medium for The War and Treaty’s personal narratives.

Michael Trotter [09:06]: "I think it's always a good vehicle when it's an opportunity to tell a different story. I think that's the key and the goal here. I think so many people believe country music is one way it looks this one way it represents this one thing. And what Ty and I do is we're bringing the representation, but also we're doing a return. Our journey with country music began with Ray Charles, you know, and then country music's journey itself. A lot of people, you know, they go way back with the banjo, but if you will go and you look at some of those stories that the Carter family have and sitting with those black families and those black farmers and just those black southerners, they are the originators of country music. And they looked exactly like Tanya and I."
Alison Stewart [09:55]: "The banjo came from Africa."
Michael Trotter [09:57]: "Absolutely. Absolutely."

Transition into Country Music

Tanya elaborates on their transition from R&B and gospel to country music, emphasizing the organic nature of this shift.

Tanya Trotter [10:13]: "I would have to say that country music, it found me. I mean, as Michael said, it's always been storytelling, and the truth has always been the foundation of gospel music, you know, So I think that I've always had my foot in what I know as traditional storytelling. And the country music industry just found Michael and I, you know, we were. We moved from Michigan, and we didn't even really know that there was a such thing called the Americana genre. We were just doing music that we loved, and Albion, Michigan introduced us to the blues, you know, all over again. It's not that we didn't know it, but it really ignited something different in us. And so we infused the blues and the gospel, and it just happened to have certain instruments in there that lean into country music. So I think that the country music genre, it really found us and welcomed us with open arms because of the. Maybe the soulful sounds that are on top of instruments that people may not, you know, have heard those voices collaborate with in this era."

Producing Their Own Album: Plus One

Alison Stewart transitions to discussing their new album, "Plus One," highlighting their role as producers.

Alison Stewart [17:21]: "So what is a sonic decision? A decision you made that seemed a little risky."
Michael Trotter [17:18]: "It is risky."
Michael Trotter [17:19]: "I don't know. I think in a time where people who play it safe lose, we're seeing it. We're seeing it in everyday life. And the Warren Treaty, we're not a safe band. We take risk, whether it be musical risk or whether it be fashion risk. We take those risks and we take them proudly. And at the end of the day, we take those risks because they're honest."
Tanya Trotter [18:07]: "Well, I think it says growth and it says that you. I don't think you. I think over time you do learn to trust yourself, you know, as a musician, as an artist and now co-producer on a lot of our projects. It's growing into trusting yourself, you know, because it does seem easier to just write a bunch of songs and give it to someone and let them nurture it into the world. But when you decide that you kind of know what it sounds like, you want to know what your mixes sound like. You want to know. You want to give the freedom to your band to be creative as well. And sometimes you don't have that with the musicians."
Michael Trotter [19:06]: "But also, I'm the producer."

Musical Risks and Authenticity

The duo discusses the importance of taking risks in their music to maintain authenticity.

Michael Trotter [17:21]: "We take those risks because they're honest."
Tanya Trotter [18:46]: "You want the freedom. I think it says that you've grown into a place where you really just want to have the freedom to have what it is that you write and you create to sound the way that you want it to sound when it comes, when it hits the ear wave of your fans."
Michael Trotter [19:25]: "Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail."

Upcoming Tour and Live Performance

Alison Stewart highlights their upcoming live performance and tour details.

Alison Stewart [22:53]: "March 26th is our first day we hit the road. We go, well, I'm sure the 27th is the first day we hit the road, but our first show is in Minneapolis on March 26th."
Michael Trotter [23:10]: "The Plus One tour."
Alison Stewart [23:27]: "The War and Treaty. Their new album is called Plus One. I understand you're gonna be in our area in the spring."

Future Projects: Film and #MoreTanya

Looking ahead, the duo shares exciting developments about a forthcoming film and a new hashtag campaign.

Michael Trotter [21:58]: "We're actually moving now into the casting phase, so I'm super excited about it. We've been batting some things around as to who could play me and then who could play Tanya. And I won't say much about this, but I will say this. Here's the tag. The war brought him music. Music brought him love. And the film is actually called the War and Treaty."
Tanya Trotter [22:31]: "Resilience."
Michael Trotter [22:38]: "Fight. I would say fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing, and fight for love."
Michael Trotter [21:42]: "We have a hashtag called more Tonya, and I think that that is a very important hashtag to have more Tonya in the story, more Tanya in speaking, more Tanya in her fashion, as you so kindly are wearing one of Tanya's designs that she didn't even acknowledge."

Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by reiterating the highlights of her conversation with The War and Treaty and teasing future content.

Alison Stewart [23:28]: "You will be playing live at Irving Plaza coming up in just a few weeks on April 8th."
Alison Stewart [23:31]: "Coming up, we'll hear more music performed live in our studio. After the break, we'll hear from Ikura of the J pop duo Yasobe about recording songs in both English and Japanese, using their music to tell stories and more."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Tanya Trotter [08:15]: "There's a reverence in that building. And so us and our band, what we brought to that was that reverence."
Michael Trotter [09:06]: "Our journey with country music began with Ray Charles... they are the originators of country music. And they looked exactly like Tanya and I."
Tanya Trotter [10:13]: "Country music, it found me... we infused the blues and the gospel."
Michael Trotter [17:19]: "We take those risks because they're honest."
Michael Trotter [19:25]: "Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail."
Michael Trotter [22:38]: "Fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing, and fight for love."

Upcoming Events

Live Performance: The War and Treaty will perform live at Irving Plaza on April 8th as part of their Plus One Tour.
Film Project: Expect the release of their biographical film, "The War and Treaty," which delves into their love story and artistic journey.
Hashtag Campaign: Follow and support their #MoreTanya initiative to amplify Tanya Trotter's role in their storytelling and fashion endeavors.

Stay tuned to All Of It for more engaging conversations with cultural creators and influencers shaping the vibrant landscape of New York City’s cultural scene.

wavePod

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Summary