TYLOR & THE TRAIN ROBBERS RELEASE HUM OF THE ROAD (MAY 3, 2024)
Produced By Cody Braun, This Open Road Sonic Odyssey Was Recorded Amidst The Dust And Heat Of A Southern Tour
“Ketchum has a voice laced with the same western gravelly baritones that tend to stand out as “Western” but his approach is decidedly more rock than country, and his delivery still touches on poetic. Perhaps no band combines what Western roots music has always been and what it will become quite like the Train Robbers. It is this combination of tradition and fresh take that makes them a must-listen.” - Josh Crutchmer, New York Times
Boise, ID February 2024—Idaho-based country rockers, Tylor & The Train Robbers have united again with producer, Cody Braun of Reckless Kelly to create Hum of the Road. Recorded in Wimberly, Texas, it was engineered by Adam Odor (Mike & The Moonpies) and mixed in Austin, Texas by the talented Jonathan Tyler.
At the heart of this musical force are brothers Tylor Ketchum, Jason Bushman, and Tommy Bushman who have been playing together since they were kids. Tylor, the eldest, leads the band as the frontman, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter, skillfully narrating tales through his lyrics. Jason, handling bass and backup harmonies, along with Tommy on drums and vocals, establish the band's distinct sound with their steady rhythm and solid foundation. “We grew up doing this together,” Tylor Ketchum describes. “We learned together, so we know each other musically in a way that most people never can and the sibling harmonies definitely stand out. We also have a similar vision for where we want the music to go, which helps us keep a cohesive sound.” Completing the quartet is Rider Soran, whose mastery of Lead Guitar, Pedal Steel, and Lap Steel instruments brings an additional dimension of richness and sentimentality to their music.
One of the hardest working bands in Idaho, Tylor & The Train Robbers are road warriors. They’ve traversed the nation tirelessly, perfecting their artistry and captivating their audiences with dynamic shows, fostering a loyal following wherever they go. The recording of Hum of the Road came about during one of these tours. “In the past we’ve taken time off the road to record,” explains Ketchum. “All three of our previous albums were recorded at various studios in our hometown of Boise, ID. This time we were out on a southwest tour and decided to schedule 6 days mid-tour to record at yellow DOG Studios in Wimberley, TX. The energy and tightness of the band coming off of weeks back to back shows is something you really can’t replicate, so that alone gives this record a different vibe than any in the past.” The studio has lodging on site for the bands that record, so the band was fully immersed in the project for the entire 6 days enabling them to eat, sleep, and breathe the record without any distraction. As a result, the album flawlessly captures the raw energy and authentic vibes of the band.
In addition to the quartet, Johnny "Shoes" Pisano contributes lead guitar to the album, while Cody Braun enriches tracks like "Skittle Man" and "Straight As An Arrow" with his fiddling expertise, in addition to showcasing his prowess on various percussion instruments throughout the record. Jonathan Tyler not only took charge of mixing duties but also added some final touches that enhanced the overall sound, including synthesizer on “Hum of the Road” and organ on “Sailing Song”. “We were fortunate to also have Dave Percefull come in and play the B3 organ on the final track of the album, 'Ton of Trails,” adds Ketchum. “Dave is the co-owner of yellow DOG Studio, and has engineered or plays on some of my favorite albums. It was such a pleasure getting to work with him!”
Hum of the Road is an eclectic collection that includes rock and roll anthems, country swing, psychedelic explorations, heartfelt folk ballads, and classic country songs. “Most of these songs were written between 2021-2023 and in that time I turned 30,” said Ketchum. “ I was feeling a little extra self-reflective, taking stock on where I am in my life and how I got here. Through that lens I unintentionally ended up writing about half of these songs into advice for myself on where I’m headed with the band the people in my life. I didn’t even really realize that until we listened back to the mixes after recording the album. Even though these songs were kind of for myself, I hope they will resonate with other people.”
Ketchum also finds a lot inspiration from other people’s stories. “Sometimes out on the road we meet folks who share their stories and they just stick with me. Other times I meet someone in passing, maybe at a run-down gas station we stop at late at night, or the person serving us at a restaurant in some tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and I find myself creating a story around the character that I envision them being in their lives. In everything I write I like to try to be clever and push the boundaries of what I have done in the past.” Normally Ketchum would wait for a particular line to spark the creative process. With this new set of songs, he experimented with different ways to approach them. “Whether starting from a guitar riff, or a rhyming scheme, or simply improvising during rehearsals to see if our jam sessions turn into something interesting. It’s been a really refreshing way to go about it.”
You can hear the efforts in the pulsing rhythm section of “Next Long Haul” and the intense guitar riffs of “Working Hands” —two of the songs the band loves to play live. “‘Working Hands’ is inspired by bands like Barefoot Jerry and the Amazing Rhythm Aces,” explains Ketchum. “It’s unpredictable and keeps you on your toes. I think it really showcases the musicianship of everyone in the band.”
Although, a lot of the songs are personal, “Tons of Trails” feels exceptionally so for Ketchum. “It’s a reminder to get out of my own way, stay the course and to find gratitude for the journey. This song started after we played a gig in Salmon, ID. The venue sits right on the river and they put us up in these little cabins on the property. I had my own cabin that night with a nice leather couch that looked out on the water and that spot felt like the perfect place to write a song. The first verse came to me that night and then I ended up working on the tune little by little over the next year, but I was having trouble wrapping it up. The next summer we were booked to play that same venue and I ended up in that same little cabin after the show. I sat back down on the leather couch and the words I had been looking for to finish it just fell out onto the page. It was the perfect circle moment.”
Yeah but sometimes life don’t work that way
You got to trust your gut no matter what they say
Try and keep what’s real and throw the rest away
And be true to who you want to be—“Tons of Trails”
With every track, Hum of the Road beckons listeners to embark on a musical voyage, mirroring the band's personal odyssey along highways and country lanes. This album encapsulates the spirit of a past era while staying firmly anchored in the contemporary scene, serving as a testament to the band's enduring allure and their boundary-pushing musical style.
###
For more information: https://www.tylorandthetrainrobbers.com/
Press Contact: Kim Grant | KG Music Press | kim@kgmusicpress.com | 626-755-9022