The Divorcees share “You’ve Got That Right,” the latest single of their album Another Round, out today August 19th. With its vintage Bakersfield swing and harmony vocals, “You’ve Got That Right” once again demonstrates why The Divorcees are considered one of Canada’s finest Outlaw Country bands.
“You’ve Got That Right” has a strong vintage Bakersfield swing and plenty of harmony vocals. What inspired the sound of this particular song, and how does it set the tone for Another Round?
It was definitely inspired by Buck Owens and maybe a little Rhumba Boogie era Hank Snow. I’m personally a big fan of Bucks legendary guitarist Don Rich. Bakersfield definitely factors in to a lot of sounds on the record, specifically the more traditional songs.
You’ve described Another Round as a “solid, kicking country record” that could stand alongside the work of Waylon Jennings and artists like Charley Crockett. What did you want to capture from that classic Outlaw Country tradition while still making the album distinctly The Divorcees?
I think a big part of our approach that we’ve been inspired by from the likes of the outlaws is being direct and authentic while also embracing the poetry of great writers like Billie Joe Shaver or Willie Nelson.
Alex, you’ve said that the band has experimented with both progressive and classic sounds but always comes back to being “straight-up country.” Was there a conscious decision to lean harder into those roots on Another Round?
Yes, there definitely was. We’ve run the gamut of approaches but this time around I think we really just wanted to put a more classic approach out there.
How has the songwriting process evolved for The Divorcees since your internationally acclaimed 2021 album Drop Of Blood? Were there any new approaches to writing or arranging songs this time around?
In this instance, our bassist contributed multiple songs lyrically which is a first! Arrangement wise, we always come together and work on it. There were also a few older songs I had that finally made it “on tape”.
The entire band collaborated closely on writing and recording Another Round. How do four musicians with different perspectives contribute to the creative process, and how do you know when a song is finally finished?
We each bring our own approach, be it rhythmically, melodically or lyrically. But where we shine is in how we all mutually just seem to know when a song is just right. And we never settle for less. It can take a lot of preproduction but it’s always worth it.
You brought in Scott Girvan on keyboards and Coco McGraw on pedal steel. What did their contributions add to the album, and how did those instruments help shape the overall sound?
We’ve worked with both of them over the years and they’re just tremendous players. But they also bring a lot of extra flavour to our records—added layers and atmosphere—that add a lot of depth and shine to our releases.
Your influences range from Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard to Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Charley Crockett, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers. Which of those artists do you feel has had the biggest impact on The Divorcees’ sound?
I can’t speak for everyone but I would say Waylon has had the biggest impact. There’s just something about his rhythm section, voice, writing and song choices that truly resonate with us.
The band has built a loyal, multi-generational audience while maintaining a defiantly independent, blue-collar approach. Why do you think Outlaw Country continues to connect so strongly with listeners today?
It is rough and ready, true blue but has a poetic heart!
With two East Coast Music Awards for Country Album of the Year and multiple Music New Brunswick awards behind you, how has the band’s journey from Moncton to becoming respected across Canada’s country music scene changed your perspective on what The Divorcees can accomplish?
It has shown us that fans of our style of music exist all over the world. And we would genuinely love to bring our music to them.
You’ve said, “Those who know, know” when talking about keeping the Outlaw Country flame burning. As you look ahead to the release of Another Round, what do you hope longtime fans—and listeners discovering The Divorcees for the first time—take away from this album?
We hope they have a great time singing along, maybe grabbing a six string and banging them out with their friends. Maybe it’s a beer on the porch or a good long drive just tapping the wheel as you go. But most of all, we want to connect in a real way.
