Reigning Sound perform in The Current studio
by Bill DeVille and Reigning Sound
October 30, 2014
When Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound moved from his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., to Asheville, N.C., he got some electrician work. On job sites, Cartwright began hearing a slang term for his new state.
"I started working on houses and stuff and I'd hear these country guys that had been living around there forever in the mountains up in Appalachia, and a lot of them would say 'North Cackalacky'. And I just really loved the ring of it, the way they said it," Cartwright recalls. "As soon as I heard it, I thought, 'Man, I've gotta find some way to put that in a song.'"
Put it into a song he did, and "North Cackalacky Girl" became the first track on Reigning Sound's album, Shattered. Now on tour supporting the album, Reigning Sound stopped by The Current's studio for a live session and to chat with Bill DeVille. The band played a gig at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
In addition to describing the origin of "North Cackalacky Girl", Cartwright shared a number of insights with Bill DeVille; here are some memorable quotes from the interview.
On whether it was hard moving from Memphis, Tenn., to Asheville, N.C.:
"I really immersed myself in Memphis history and music for many years, but it was a surprisingly easy call to go try something else for a while. It's so much a part of my daily musical diet already, that leaving was probably a healthy direction change."
On the thrill of finding rare records:
"Before [the Internet], you had to hunt so hard to find these oddball records … The joy of the hunt is something I want everyone to experience."
On the signature Memphis sound:
"There's so much great Memphis music, and it really is a big part of what I want the Reigning Sound to be."
On having a Telly Savalas impersonator open for the band at a number of shows:
"Some people really love it, and some people don't know what's going on at all."
Songs Performed
"North Cackalacky Girl"
"My My"
"Once More"
All songs off Reigning Sound's album, Shattered, out now on Merge Records.
Hosted by Bill DeVille
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Web feature by Luke Taylor
