Podcast Summary: The War & Treaty's 'Plus One' (Live in CR5)

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart
Episode Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This encore episode features Tanya and Michael Trotter, the married duo behind the soulful Americana band The War and Treaty, along with their live band. The conversation intertwines vibrant in-studio performances with a heartfelt discussion about their latest album, Plus One—recorded at the historic Fame Studios—and candid insights into their journey through country music, their creative processes, their foray into producing, and an upcoming film about their remarkable love story. The tone is warm, joyful, and peppered with playful banter, reflecting both the chemistry between the hosts and guests and the deep affection at the heart of The War and Treaty’s music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing The War and Treaty & Their Band (02:15–02:32)

• Band Members:
  Tanya and Michael introduce their band:
  • Slim (Keys)
  • Max Brown (Guitar)
  • Tom Davis (Bass)
  • Bam (Drums)

2. Live Performance – "Can I Get An Amen?" (02:34–07:34)

• Kicks off the episode with an energetic, soul-infused live performance, showcasing the group's signature blend of gospel, country, and blues.

3. On the Influence of Fame Studio & Recording Process (07:40–08:37)

• Alison asks about recording at the legendary Fame Studios.
• Tanya:
  “There’s a reverence in that building. ... Going in the door immediately, the standards are high—not just for singers but musicians who played in that room. It changes how you approach your songs.”
  (08:03)

4. Country Music as Vehicle for Their Story (08:37–09:43)

• Alison reads a NYT headline: “The War and Treaty are writing their love story into country music history.”
• Michael:
  “So many people believe country music is one way—it looks this one way, it represents this one thing. … What Tanya and I do, we're bringing representation but also a return. Country music's journey began with Ray Charles ... the Carter family ... sitting with black families, black farmers—originators of country music. They looked exactly like Tanya and I.”
  (08:50, 09:17)

5. Tanya's Musical Roots & Genre Fluidity (09:43–11:01)

• Tanya:
  “Country music found me. ... The truth has always been the foundation of gospel music. … We were just doing music we loved... infused the blues and gospel, and it happened to have certain instruments that lean into country music. The genre, it really found us and welcomed us with open arms because of the soulful sounds on top of instruments maybe people haven’t heard those voices with, in this era.” (09:56–10:54)

6. Live Performance – "The Glorious Ones" (12:18–16:00)

• Background: Michael explains why it’s the last song on the album:
  “At the end of all my days, it’s just she and I. … That’s what makes my life glorious.” (12:02)
• Performance: A moving, hymnal-inspired duet performed live with the band.

7. The Creative Process: 60+ Songs for The Album! (16:11–16:35)

• Tanya:
  “We recorded, I believe, 60 songs, maybe more.”
  (16:14)
• Michael (joking):
  “A love of the music and a lack of somebody telling me to stop. I.e., Tanya.”
  (16:39)

8. Artistic & Production Risks – Taking Creative Control (16:52–18:51)

• Michael:
  “In a time where people who play it safe lose, we're seeing it. … The War and Treaty—we're not a safe band. We take risk... because they're honest.”
  (17:06)
• Tanya (on self-producing):
  “Over time you learn to trust yourself, as a musician, as an artist... It seems easier to write a bunch of songs and give it to someone, but when you decide you kind of know what it sounds like, ... you want to give the freedom to your band to be creative as well.”
  (17:53–18:51)
• Michael (playfully):
  “But also, I’m the producer... if the project fails, then she’s the actual producer.”
  (18:51–19:19)

9. The Dynamic of Collaboration & Growth (19:24–21:42)

• Michael credits his bandmates—especially Max Brown and Tanya—for pushing and supporting him, balancing ego and creativity.
• Michael:
  “The biggest lesson: Always let Tanya lead. You won’t fail… I haven’t failed in life when that’s happened.”
  (20:39–20:57)
• Hashtag campaign: #MoreTanya
• Tanya (warmly):
  “That’s so sweet, honey.”
  (21:42)

10. Fashion & She Loves Vintage (21:43–22:07)

• Tanya discusses her vintage fashion brand—She Loves Vintage—which is on pause for the album and upcoming tour but will return with new merch.
• Alison admits: she’s wearing a She Loves Vintage shirt. (22:01)

11. Genre-Bending and Hip-Hop Infusion (22:07–23:35)

• Alison notes the song I Can't Let You Go has rap and spoken word; asks about that choice.
• Michael:
  “...Sometimes they (the band) do things that point me to an old life. … I’m a hip hop head—this is New York, baby! The greatest MCs ever resonate from here … The way they were playing, I was like, I’m gonna have to spit right here.”
  (22:25–23:14)

12. The War and Treaty Movie: Origin & Progress (23:35–26:12)

• Tanya shares how a friend’s cassette tape led to screenwriters (Will McCormick, Craig Borten) and producers (Gary Gilbert, John Legend via Get Lifted Films).
• Michael:
  “Gary Gilbert and John Legend actually partnered to give us what we know as La La Land.”
  (25:21)
• Tanya:
  “John Legend is a part of the film... And it just all ties in because our son’s name’s Legend and Michael.”
  (26:12)

13. Story, Resilience & Message (27:07–27:30)

• Alison: What should a person watching the film take away?
• Tanya:
  “It’s a love story about resilience.”
  (27:16)
• Michael:
  “Fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing and fight for love.”
  (27:21)

Notable Quotes

• Tanya Trotter (on recording at Fame Studios):
  “There is a reverence in that building. ... The standards are high.” (08:03)
• Michael Trotter (on country music):
  “What Tanya and I do is we’re bringing the representation, but also we’re doing a return ... the originators of country music ... looked exactly like Tanya and I.” (09:17)
• Tanya (on self-producing):
  “When you decide you kind of know what it sounds like ... you’ve grown into a place where you really just want the freedom to have what it is that you create to sound the way that you want.” (18:35)
• Michael (on risk):
  “The War and Treaty, we’re not a safe band ... we take those risks because they’re honest.” (17:06)
• Michael (on their love story):
  “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.” (12:02)
• Michael (on growth): "The biggest lesson in all of this is this one thing. Always let Tanya lead. You won't fail." (20:49)
• Tanya (on the message of their story):
  “It’s a love story about resilience.” (27:16)
• Michael (on the message): "Fight for your right to exist, your right to your healing and fight for love." (27:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|--------------| | Show opens/introductions | 00:12–02:32 | | "Can I Get An Amen?" (Performance) | 02:34–07:34 | | On Fame Studio & recording | 07:40–08:37 | | Country music, race & tradition | 08:37–09:43 | | Tanya’s genre journey | 09:43–11:01 | | "The Glorious Ones" (Performance) | 12:18–16:00 | | 18 songs from 60+ demos | 16:11–16:35 | | On producing & risk-taking | 16:52–18:51 | | Collaboration & band dynamics | 19:24–21:42 | | Vintage fashion & She Loves Vintage | 21:43–22:07 | | Hip-hop fusion | 22:07–23:35 | | Movie origin story | 23:35–26:12 | | Resilience: the message | 27:07–27:30 |

Memorable Moments

• Michael’s Playful Producer Banter
  “If the project fails, then she’s the actual producer.” (19:15)
  Light-hearted back-and-forth underscores their creative partnership and humor.
• Bandroom Camaraderie
  Michael lovingly shouts out each bandmate, describing their chemistry and pushing each other musically.
• Fashion as Extension of Art
  Tanya’s She Loves Vintage line is acknowledged and worn by the host, exemplifying acts’ creative expressions beyond music.

Tone & Takeaways

The episode radiates warmth, honesty, and creative joy, offering an inspiring look into The War and Treaty’s process and partnership. Brimming with live music, laughter, and candid reflection, it invites listeners into both the intimacy of a band in the studio and the broader story of two artists making vital, boundary-breaking music rooted in love, resilience, and truth.