
The married musical duo The War And Treaty dropped their latest album Plus One last week, on Valentine’s Day.
Loading summary
Alison Stewart
Listener support WNYC Studios.
This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart, and one of our favorite bands around here at All of it is back with a new album. The Warren Treaty dropped plus one on Valentine's Day. A perfect release date for this band whose members are a married couple and Michael Trotter. The music is deeply influenced and infused with the love in all of its forms. There's a lot more I can say about them. They're Grammy nominees, American Music award winners. A movie's being made about them, but the true fact is they make great music. Welcome to the War and Treaty. It is so nice to talk to all of you.
Tanya Trotter
Thank you. Thank you so much. We're excited to be here. Yeah.
Alison Stewart
Would you introduce everybody before we get our next song?
Sure.
Tanya Trotter
Yes, of course. I'm Tanya Trotter.
Alison Stewart
I'm Michael.
Hello.
Tanya Trotter
We're the one Treaty. And these are. This is our amazing band.
Alison Stewart
This is Slim Home on keys, and then there's Max Brown on guitar over there.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah. And Tom Davis on bass right there.
Alison Stewart
And back there, all caged up is Bam on the drums.
All right, you're gonna play our first song for us. What are we gonna hear?
Can I Get a Man?
Amen.
Amen. Just do it. Listen. Sunday morning she's a bonafide preacher Laying.
Michael Trotter
Hands on all over me Monday morning she's a certified teacher I'm the lesson that she loves to teach Tuesday she's a race car driver a bunk 80 burning every curve Driving me crazy look on Wednesday can't get enough of her and I put her first I put her first Can I get an amen? Can I get an amen? Can I get an amen? Can I get an 8? Man.
Alison Stewart
I said.
Michael Trotter
Get an amen Giving you the best that we got yeah Come on, Tanya. My hot tiny On a Thursday after.
Tanya Trotter
Working one long hard day out with the boys Turning up on Fridays getting.
Michael Trotter
All playing rooms and stays End of the week you can catch him on a Saturday Right here laying next to me Just the way we like it Peace and quiet he's everything that I need I put him first said I put him fast Can I get an amen? Put my family over everything Shout it out if it's you Can I get an amen from the wheel I cannot get it at me Got faith in cancer still drink a beer or two Can I get an amen? From the streets to the country roads back and are you in the truth? Amen, baby Gotta go in on little mama so strong Right no, mama wrong Amen I've been singing all night long I'm high as a girl Hallelujah, Amen Strutting in my cowboy boots on my arm is my baby so fly Amen Growing up Juices in the sky that you got a joy in my life and I would him first yeah, baby I would him first Swinging from my neck for the real I've been blowing Can I get it at me Got faith in the tank Always gas I get a nightmare Can I get, Can I get an amen? Can I get an amen?
Interviewee
Amen. Can I just tell you how many times can I say it?
Alison Stewart
That's the War and Treaty.
Interviewee
You know, I was listening there, listening, and I was thinking, they produced this record at the Fame Studios, right? The Muscle Shoals sound. How does does making a record there influence how it sounds, Tanya?
Tanya Trotter
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, you know, 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.
Alison Stewart
Michael the New York Times profile said, here's the headline. The Warren Treaty are writing their love story into country music history. Why do you think country music is a good vehicle for telling your personal story?
Well, 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.
Interviewee
The banjo came from Africa.
Alison Stewart
Absolutely. Absolutely.
Interviewee
Tanya, before the Warren Treaty, you were a solist working in soloist. Excuse me. Working in RB and gospel. What was your move into country music? Was it intentional? Was it something just came and found you?
Tanya Trotter
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 Alabama, 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.
Alison Stewart
Yeah.
Interviewee
As I say, three chords in the truth.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Interviewee
Right.
Tanya Trotter
Yes.
Interviewee
Next song you're gonna play is called the Glorious Ones. Is this the last song on the record?
Tanya Trotter
It is.
Interviewee
It is. Right. Okay, good. It's a hymn that you and Tanya wrote for each other. First of all, why'd you decide to make it the last song on the record?
Alison Stewart
Well, good. Great question. Thanks for asking. Because at the end of the day, at the end of all my days, it's just she and I. And that's what makes my life glorious at the moment. And it doesn't get no better than that.
Interviewee
All right, well, let's hear it. This is the Glorious Ones from the war and Treaty.
Tanya Trotter
All right.
Alison Stewart
Max Brown on acoustic guitar.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Alison Stewart
Tom Davis on bass. Bam on drums. Slim on keys. Let's go, y'all.
Michael Trotter
I don't know they all are out when there's so bad will lose power But I gained a second try Walking with you by my side do you see how far we've come to broken hearts we come one Like a screaming ego Stars in the sun I have found love in a glorious one let's.
Alison Stewart
Go now.
Michael Trotter
Can you hear the breath in the trees Cooling us with it's cool breeze Lightning may flash and the thunder may roar I have my mind down in my soul can win Lights dim We'll take our rest and fade off in the sunset May our story be sh. In the land of the glorious One in the land A glorious one in the land of glorious one.
Alison Stewart
That'S the War and Treaty singing the Glorious one. It's off their new album. It is called Plus One. So I think there are 18 songs on the record.
Tanya Trotter
Yes.
Alison Stewart
Okay. So what went into that choice?
Tanya Trotter
Well, we had a lot of songs. I mean, we recorded, I believe, 60 songs, maybe more.
Alison Stewart
60?
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Alison Stewart
There's getting laughs from over here.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah. So there's like a double vinyl when you buy the record. We recorded a lot of songs.
Alison Stewart
There's a bus flowing through here somewhere and I'm being thrown under.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah. Michael's feet are hanging from under the bus. Yeah.
Alison Stewart
So, Michael, what went into that choice?
A love of the music.
Yeah.
And a lack of somebody telling me to stop. That's what that is. Yeah. I. E. Tonya.
Yeah.
Tanya Trotter
He can't be stopped when he's in a writing zone. That's it.
Alison Stewart
Yeah.
Well, you also are producers on the record.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Alison Stewart
Which means you get to make those kinds of decisions.
That's right.
Tanya Trotter
See?
Alison Stewart
So what is a sonic decision, a decision you made that seemed a little risky?
It is risky.
That's risky, Yes.
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. We take them proudly. And at the end of the day, we take those risks because they're honest.
That's all in terms of producing the album. Tonya, what does it say to you that you're at a place where you want to produce your own music versus just songwriting and handing it in?
Tanya Trotter
Well, I think it says growth and it says that you. I don't think you. I think you, 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.
Alison Stewart
They're not that good.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah. You know, you want. 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.
Alison Stewart
But also, I'm the producer.
Tanya Trotter
Yes, he is.
Interviewee
Up side eye.
Tanya Trotter
It was.
Alison Stewart
I was straight up side eye.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Alison Stewart
It's not Tonya. Tonya.
Tanya Trotter
They're silent because they know Tanya's the.
Alison Stewart
Co. Like, wait a little bit. Like, a little itty bitty. Like we say coast, like softly. Yeah, but I'm the producer.
Our producer.
Tanya Trotter
I get all of this at 3:00am in the morning, but only if this.
Alison Stewart
Project fails is she the actual producer.
Understood?
Tanya Trotter
Yeah. If it doesn't work, then I'll take it.
Interviewee
What did you, as a producer, what did you learn about the way the war and treaty have grown?
Alison Stewart
I like to now defer this question to Tommy. No, you can use the word growth.
Use the word growth.
I tell you what. I produced our album called Hearthstone. Completely different experience. I think the first thing that I have learned is that I. That no producer knows what they're really doing without a cast. And for me, Tanya is my supporting cast in everything. But I got another brain, another side of my brain when it comes to producing. And that is the side that is irritating and throbbing. And its name is Max Brown. So he's right there and he, you know, he is someone who you have to get out of the way and in the way at the same time. And that's what makes it all work. And then with your musicians, you have to literally tell them, you know, be you. Especially this group. This group, they like to think they know what they're doing when they go in the studio and producing. And then they're like, playing all safe and qu. And I'm like, what in the heck are y'all doing? Like, go for it. Like, be yourself, you know? But the biggest lesson in all of this is this one thing. Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail.
Tanya Trotter
He's getting brownie points right now. Okay, no brownie point.
Alison Stewart
No brownie point. I'm actually being extremely serious.
Tanya Trotter
Oh, you are?
Alison Stewart
Okay. I haven't failed in life when that has happened. And I think Harshtown was a failure, in my opinion, because I have a hashtag called Moretanya. 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.
Tanya Trotter
You see how I do I don't have my glasses on, so I have.
Alison Stewart
To make sure that's a nice excuse. We're talking about a voice of our time. In my opinion, Tanya is one of the greatest, if not the greatest vocalists that I believe needs some time to shine. So our next project, pieces for me is the hashtag Moretanya.
Tanya Trotter
Aw, that's so sweet, honey.
Interviewee
So let's talk fashion while we're here. She loves vintage dot com. Do you still run it?
Tanya Trotter
I do, yes. I took a break from it to make this record because it's another child, you know, you have to dedicate a lot of time. And then we have the tour coming up. But once the tour starts, will have. Thank you so much for wearing it too.
Interviewee
I'm wearing it. She loves vintage shirts.
Tanya Trotter
Yes. We'll have all the merch and everything. So I'm very excited about that as well.
Interviewee
All right. We're talking to the war and treaty. You know, there's a song on the album called I Can't Let yout Go, and it busts out and then it rocks out. And then you have, like, spoken word and rap at the end. What led you to that sort of shift in the.
Tanya Trotter
In the album?
Interviewee
It's like, whoa, wait a minute.
Alison Stewart
You know, it's very strategic. Okay. As a producer, I'm going back to that. It's very strategic who you have in the studio as your musicians. And so many producers. They don't want your band. And I think that's what makes me special, because I want my band. I can't see me doing anything without Bam, Slim Tom, Max, period. But they invoke something in me. They bring out that guy. They do the way they play their swag. Sometimes they do certain things, and it points me to an old life. I used to. I mean, I still do. I'm a hip hop head. Like. I mean, we in New York, baby, like the greatest MCs ever resonate from here. And that was a side of me to where I write a lot of poetry and I write a lot of rhymes and. And the way they were just doing it, I was like, man, I'm gonna have to spit right here. Like, might not be that good because we have an emcee in the band right there.
Tanya Trotter
Bam.
Alison Stewart
You know, But I ran it all through him. Slim Tom. And that's what did it for me. Yeah. I was like, I got Pop Dakota on this one.
Interviewee
I wanted to talk about the movie in the works. It's produced by John Legend, Right? How did that opportunity come up?
Tanya Trotter
Tanya well, let me think. Okay. So we were in Nashville, and a friend of ours, he actually. No, I'm sorry. Let me backtrack. We were in Connecticut, and we were doing. Let me go. Andrew Gold. I'm gonna say his name. We were there doing a show, and Andrew came to our show, and we thought he was coming to see the show, but we started telling our story, and Andrew was like, one second. Let me get my tape recorder. He had this big old tape recorder from, like, the 1960s, and he pushed play, and he started listening. So he'd taken that to his brother's roommate. I'm going somewhere.
Alison Stewart
I got you. Okay. His brother's roommate. I'm with you.
Tanya Trotter
Who happened to be. I believe it was Will. Will McCormick. They went to college together, and Will is a writer. And I think Will and Craig. Craig did Dallas Buyers Club. Will did all kinds of Toy Story 4. Yeah, Toy Story 4.
Alison Stewart
Several projects. With Rashida Jones.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah, with Rashida Jones.
Michael Trotter
That's a good thing.
Tanya Trotter
And let them hear our story from this cassette. And so they got on the phone, they were like, we want to do a story on you guys. And we were just kind of blowing it off. We're like, yeah, yeah. Some Hollywood producers and writers are, like, wanting to do a story on a little bit of us sitting in Nashville. And so they flew to Nashville and they had a studio. They set Michael and I down in front of a camera, and we sat there and told our story for about three, four hours, I believe. Yeah, it was about three or four hours. And maybe a couple of weeks later, they were like, hey, we have a couple other people who want to come on board. We met Harvey Mason Jr. At that time.
Alison Stewart
Well, first. I'm sorry, I interject. Honey, we gotta make sure we get this right. First. Gary Gilbert.
Tanya Trotter
Gary Gilbert, yes.
Alison Stewart
And Gary Gilbert is special to the story because he and John Legend actually partnered to give us what we know as La La Land.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah, so that's the.
Alison Stewart
Yeah, exactly. And then came Harvey.
Tanya Trotter
And then came Harvey.
Alison Stewart
Harvey Mason Jr. And then Harvey.
Tanya Trotter
And then Harvey brought on John Legend. He called us one day and he was like, hey, I think I have somebody who really wants to be involved in this project. And, of course, John has done some incredible things with film and theater and all the different things. And we were like, oh, my God, John Legend.
Alison Stewart
But we won't get in trouble if we don't do this. John Legend's partner, first off.
Tanya Trotter
Yes.
Alison Stewart
One of them is Mike Jackson, who listens to you all the time. So I would.
Interviewee
Hi, Mike.
Alison Stewart
Mike is the producing partner in Get Lifted films. And so. And then Ty.
Tanya Trotter
So the three of them. Yeah, yeah.
Alison Stewart
And that's how they.
Tanya Trotter
And that's how it happened. And so John Legend is a part of the film. He'll be producing it along with Gary Gilbert. And, you know, it just all ties in because our son's name's Legend. And Michael.
Michael Trotter
That's right.
Alison Stewart
John Legend is one of my favorite artists.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Alison Stewart
And shout out to Numa Perrier, who is our director. She's a phenomenal director who Oprah named as the next. And she is our actual director.
Interviewee
So when is it gonna come?
Alison Stewart
Well, you know, it's a very interesting thing that I'm gonna tell you, but it's coming. 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 don't. 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 Entry.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah.
Interviewee
What would a person watching this film take away from your love story, Tonya?
Tanya Trotter
Resilience.
Interviewee
Interesting.
Tanya Trotter
It's a love story. It's a love story about resilience.
Interviewee
What would you say?
Alison Stewart
Fight. I would say fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing, and fight for love.
Interviewee
You're doing all the press. When do you go out on tour? Give me the details.
Tanya Trotter
Oh, I'm so excited about this. 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.
Alison Stewart
And is it gonna be just you guys? You opening for someone? How's it gonna be?
Oh, it's us.
Tanya Trotter
Yeah, it's just the Plus One tour.
Alison Stewart
Oh, yeah. We're touring it. We have openers, and it's gonna be super. Super.
My guests have been the War and Treaty. Their new album is called Plus One. I understand you're gonna be in our area in the spring.
Tanya Trotter
Yes.
Alison Stewart
April.
Tanya Trotter
April 8th.
Alison Stewart
Irving Plaza.
Tanya Trotter
Yes.
Alison Stewart
Playing at Irving Plaza. It was such a pleasure to have you. We're so excited. We will tell our listeners that we recorded a song before I got in here, so we will play that tomorrow. We say.
Tanya Trotter
Okay.
Alison Stewart
All right. Thank you to everybody. I didn't get everybody's name, but thank you to all of you. To coming in the studio and performing. Really, really appreciate it.
Tanya Trotter
Thank you so much.
Alison Stewart
And that's all for today. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening and I appreciate you. I'll meet you back here next.
Michael Trotter
La.
Podcast Summary: All Of It – The War and Treaty’s New Album 'Plus One' (Live from CR5)
Introduction
In this engaging episode of ALL OF IT hosted by Alison Stewart, listeners are treated to an in-depth conversation with the Grammy-nominated and American Music Award-winning duo, The War and Treaty. Released on February 20, 2025, this episode delves into their latest album, "Plus One," live from CR5 studio. The War and Treaty, comprising the married couple Tanya and Michael Trotter, share insights into their creative process, the significance of their new work, and exciting future projects.
Album Release and Band Introduction
Alison Stewart kicks off the episode by celebrating the release of The War and Treaty’s new album, "Plus One," aptly launched on Valentine’s Day—a nod to the band’s deeply rooted themes of love in all its forms.
Alison Stewart [00:17]: "The War and Treaty dropped plus one on Valentine's Day. A perfect release date for this band whose members are a married couple and Michael Trotter."
The band members are introduced, highlighting their Grammy and American Music accolades, and hinting at a forthcoming movie based on their journey.
Live Performance: "Can I Get a Man"
The episode features a live performance of "Can I Get a Man," showcasing the band’s soulful and vibrant sound.
Michael Trotter [01:55]: "Can I get an amen? Giving you the best that we got yeah."
This performance sets the tone for the album’s exploration of love, resilience, and personal storytelling.
Recording at Fame Studios
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around recording their album at the legendary Fame Studios, known for its Muscle Shoals sound. Tanya and Michael emphasize the profound influence the studio’s rich history has on their music.
Tanya Trotter [06:43]: "There's a reverence in that building. And so us and our band, what we brought to that was that reverence."
The duo reflects on how the studio’s legacy of high standards and renowned musicians inspires them to elevate their own creative output.
The Significance of Country Music in Their Story
Alison Stewart references a New York Times profile headline: "The War and Treaty are writing their love story into country music history." Tanya and Michael discuss why country music serves as an ideal medium for their personal narratives.
Michael Trotter [07:35]: "Country music is always a good vehicle when it's an opportunity to tell a different story."
They highlight the genre’s roots, acknowledging its African origins and the Carter family’s influence, thus positioning themselves within a broader historical and cultural context.
Transition into Country Music
Tanya elaborates on their transition from R&B and gospel to country music, describing it as a natural evolution influenced by their love for storytelling.
Tanya Trotter [08:41]: "Country music, it found us... we infused the blues and the gospel, and it just happened to have certain instruments in there that lean into country music."
This fusion of genres underscores their commitment to authenticity and creative exploration.
Producing Their Own Album
A pivotal topic is the duo’s decision to take on production roles for "Plus One." Tanya discusses the growth and increased trust in their artistic vision that led them to produce their own music.
Tanya Trotter [16:37]: "It's growing into trusting yourself... the freedom to your band to be creative as well."
Alison adds her perspective on the collaborative nature of their production process, emphasizing the importance of band members like Max Brown in bringing their vision to life.
Alison Stewart [17:40]: "Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail."
Creative Risks and Artistic Integrity
The War and Treaty candidly discuss their willingness to take risks, both musically and in their fashion choices, to maintain artistic integrity.
Alison Stewart [15:12]: "We take those risks proudly. And at the end of the day, we take those risks because they're honest."
Their commitment to authenticity is a recurring theme, reinforcing their dedication to creating meaningful and impactful music.
Closing Track: "The Glorious Ones"
The episode features the heartfelt closing track, "The Glorious Ones," which serves as a hymn dedicated to each other. Tanya explains why this song was chosen as the final piece on the album.
Tanya Trotter [10:06]: "At the end of all my days, it's just she and I. And that's what makes my life glorious at the moment."
The song encapsulates their journey and the profound love that underpins their music.
Upcoming Movie Project
A major highlight is the announcement of a movie project about The War and Treaty, produced by none other than John Legend. Tanya shares the serendipitous encounter that led to this collaboration.
Tanya Trotter [21:47]: "John Legend is part of the film. He'll be producing it along with Gary Gilbert."
The movie, titled "The War Entry," promises to be a compelling portrayal of their love story and resilience.
Tour Announcement
The War and Treaty reveal their upcoming "Plus One Tour," set to commence on March 26th in Minneapolis.
Tanya Trotter [25:40]: "March 26th is our first day we hit the road."
They express excitement about connecting with fans and performing live, highlighting the tour as a continuation of their album’s narrative.
Final Remarks
Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to The War and Treaty for their time and performances.
Alison Stewart [26:12]: "Thank you to everyone for coming into the studio and performing. Really, really appreciate it."
The episode concludes on a high note, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the release of "Plus One" and the upcoming tour.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
Conclusion
This episode of ALL OF IT offers a comprehensive look into The War and Treaty’s creative journey, their latest album "Plus One," and exciting future endeavors including a feature film and a nationwide tour. Their dedication to authentic storytelling, musical exploration, and resilience shines through, making this a must-listen for fans and new listeners alike.