JD Clayton’s “A Long Way From Home” Brings Familiar Sound and Fond Memories
After just one whole spin through JD Clayton’s 2023 release “Long Way From Home,” I was intrigued... I wanted to hear more from the Arkansas-based singer-songwriter. I was able to catch up with him while he spent some time off in Fort Smith, Arkansas, his hometown. We touched on multiple topics through our short conversation, including, Clayton’s upbringing as the son of a pastor, his rise to full-time music, his influences as he sees it, and his 2023 album “Long Way From Home.”
Photo by Anna Schaefer
The creation of “Long Way From Home” took shape in The Planetarium Studio, a garage that has been converted into a studio, nestled in the heart of South Nashville. Under the collaborative guidance of producer Thomas Dulin, Clayton co-produced the expressive 10-track journey of what he calls his “Arkansas Sound” or in other words, what he feels is an authentic product of his Arkansan upbringing. Clayton credits some of his sound with the geographic location of Fort Smith, AR, the town he grew up in. Clayton describes Fort Smith as having elements of the South, the Mid-West, and even the West. After Clayton tracked the album it headed under the knife to further enhance the album’s sonic tapestry, Clayton entrusted the mixing process to the great Craig Alvin (Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour) and Cypress Moon Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.* The collaboration between Clayton and the studio resulted in a polished sound that shows off the strength of JD’s authentic and vintage sound.
*Craig Alvin now has his very own studio in Muscle Shoals, AL
This 10-track album will have you feeling a multitude of moods. A nod to CCR in a cover of “Midnight Special” and a showcase of his ability as a songwriter in the tracks “American Millionaire” and “Beauty Queen.” However, it is “Long Way From Home” that resonates deeply with Clayton’s emotions, capturing a period of feeling down anddepressed while working in Tennessee’s landscaping industry, a job he would take out of necessity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This soul-searching track emerged from Clayton’s candid reflections on missing home and dreaming of the music career he longed for. The lyrics jotted down on his phone’s notes app during lunch breaks turned into the title track of the album.
Aside from the album, JD and I discussed the resurgence of country music and its rebranding into many subgenres. Although JD has found it difficult to decide just where he fits, he’s comfortable with “Country.” Clayton has recognized the wave of folks that are leaning toward country music again. He credits this movement to listeners looking for a more authentic and stripped-down sound in their day-to-day listening. He sees this even in himself as he finds himself spinning the late 60s and early 70s music that his father played. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Bobby Charles, CCR, The Band, and the iconic film “The Last Waltz,” Clayton finds solace and inspiration in the timeless melodies and heartfelt narratives of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. There’s no telling just how far this record could take JD and his career but one thing is for sure, JD Clayton has made a reason for you to stop and listen.
Photo By Anna Schaefer
Here is one of those reasons. It is with great pleasure to debut JD Clayton’s music video of “Heartaches After Heartbreak.” When we asked about how this project came to fruition JD had this to say…
“This video was shot in a shed on “Hog Farm”, my buddy’s duck hunting club in Eastern Arkansas. We shot the video in a few takes and then piled 6 dudes into one truck to drive down the street to the only Mexican restaurant in town. My buddy Gavin ripped ass so we had to drive the whole way back with the windows down. The Ballad of Curtis Lowe was blasting from the truck out into that crisp January night.”