Chucky Trading Co beats with the heart of Laurel Canyon, bringing timeless new folk-rock songs in a dynamic collaboration between songwriter CS Taber and producer Everett Young. The first CTC album, released December 1, 2021, contains 15 heartfelt songs that explore love, life, and human nature. From the opening riff of Grace through the rattlesnake shake of the tambourine on Tumbleweeds, Chucky Trading Co delivers soulful arrangements, magical hooks, and images that touch your core. CS Taber brings to his music a wide range of experiences and influences. From a childhood immersed in the spirits and rhythms of Central and West Africa to his coming of age in the rich acoustic traditions of Appalachia, Taber plays to a broad tapestry of musical textures.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Chucky Trading Co, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?
It's great to be talking with you again, Kamil! The big news for CTC is that we have added a new member. Patricia "Danger" Taber, who sings backing vocals on many of the songs we have released over the past year is now a full member and will be sharing lead vocals with me in the future! I have worked with Danger in several earlier groups, including 3am and Songsmith.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
This is one of the hardest parts of being an indie musician, and these days we need to do marketing and promotion as well. I think musical artists today need to be able to work on many projects at the same time in order to fit music in with life obligations. I typically will work on 3-4 songs at the same time in various stages of development.
Your latest song is 'Sleepwalking Through History'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
Sleepwalking was written back during the pandemic and the title came to me first. It turns out there is a book about Ronald Reagan by that name, but the song has nothing to do with Reagan or politics! It is the story of a couple who danced in the mud and fell in love at Woodstock in 1969. But, though she was driven to change the world, he spends the rest of his life sleepwalking through history and 40 years later she leaves him. The song is a fun one to play in waltz time built on a 12-string guitar riff and bouncy piano.
How do you know when a work is finished?
Hahaha! Nobody really ever does know when something is truly finished. Everett and I are both a bit perfectionist in production, but it is more about getting the exact feel we have for the song than getting it note-perfect. I usually tell Ev I think a song is done before he is ready to stop working....
How do you find yourself in the music business? When you started out in music, did you know it would be like this?
I started as a teenager and worked full time into my 20s, but then went back to school and started a non-music career and a family. But music has always been my siren song and with Chucky Trading I am back at it with a vengeance!
Who is your favourite musician?
Wow, that's a tough one. So many great musicians.... Since my greatest musical respect is for songwriters, I will pick Paul Simon, though he is clearly not the most accomplished player I could pick.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
My favorite part is that moment when I unveil a new song for the first time, especially the first time another person hears it. This is usually my partner and she is very supportive, but will tell me honestly whether she thinks it's good, and she's usually right...
What’s your scariest experience?
I haven't really had any scary moments in music (a bit of stage fright when I've performed in front of audiences over 1000, but that doesn't really count as scary). I guess my greatest fright was when I was a kid living in Africa, I once stepped barefoot on a Black Mamba, which is one of the most venemous snakes in the world.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would reduce the role and influence of record companies and ensure that artist receive the lion's share of streaming payments.
What can we expect from Chucky Trading Co in the near future?
We are currently working on a new album, a set of 14-16 new songs, with about half sung by Danger and about half by me. I can't wait for the world to hear these new songs. I think the first single release from that set will be a song about teasing flirtation called "Clever Girl."