Interviews Luther Russell / Photo: Savannah Spirit

Published on February 2nd, 2018 | by Darren Paltrowitz

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Luther Russell On His “Selective Memories” Compilation & Not Having Regrets

In his three decades of making music, Luther Russell has been all sorts of places with all sorts of artists. As a teenager, he was part of The Bootheels alongside future Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan, then a teenager. His 1990s band The Freewheelers were signed to both DGC Records and American Recordings. He has co-written songs for Weezer, toured in Robyn Hitchcock’s backing band, and been one-half of Those Pretty Wrongs alongside Big Star drummer Jody Stephens.

For those new to the Luther Russell scene, February 23rd will bring the U.S. release of Selective Memories. A 41-song compilation — including 25 previously-unreleased songs — Selective Memories includes recordings done with the aforementioned Dylan and former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford. It covers all eras of Russell’s career, including his time spent with the band Federale. The website of Billboard Magazine premiered a track from the 2-CD set back in December 2017.

I caught up with Luther Russell for some Q&A about Selective Memories and how his past, present and future all came together in a good way. More on Russell is online at www.lutherrussell.com.

Beyond your solo career, I know you tour with Robyn Hitchcock. How did you and Robyn first meet?

Luther Russell: We met backstage at one Big Star’s Third Live events we’ve done together. I saw his polka-dotted wallet in the dressing room and complimented him upon it when he came in. We had a nice chat. Later on I played some guitar for Emma Swift at one of Robyn’s Largo shows and also sat in with him. Not long after he attended a Those Pretty Wrongs gig in Nashville, he reached out to ask me to play guitar.

Jody Stephens is another cult rock icon who you have worked with. Is there more activity planned for Those Pretty Wrongs?

Luther Russell: Yes, I’ve already been to Memphis working on the new record at Ardent [Studios]. We spent the past year writing the material for a second LP, so I’m excited about how it’s going.

Selective Memories is your new retrospective release. Who came up with the idea to do a retrospective?

Luther Russell: Iñaki Orbezua had promoted a few of my shows in Bilbao and I knew he and some partners ran a cool reissue label called Hanky Panky. We had breakfast on the last Pretty Wrongs tour and I told him I had a lot of stuff in the vaults and he floated the idea of a retrospective. I really liked the one he did of the late, great Kevin Junior, so I sent him a ton of stuff for him to pick through.

Did you yourself pick or sequence the tracks on Selective Memories at all?

Luther Russell: I sent him all these tunes, unreleased and released, and when he said he liked it all, I suggested a chronological sequence. He asked me to write notes, and I obliged happily.

What was the hardest part of putting together Selective Memories? Did you already control the rights to all of the recordings?

Luther Russell: The hardest part was picking the songs that would make a good trajectory. I have lots of variety in my music, but in the end, I figured it would make the most sense to go year by year to paint a clear picture for myself and the audience.

Selective Memories has a lot of previously-unreleased material. Is there a lot more unreleased material in your archives? Or was this most of the great stuff?

Luther Russell: It’s a lot of the stuff I’ve held in the back of my mind. But, yes, there’s a lot more stuff and I probably could do “volume two” easily.

Your story is fascinating, and full of a lot of “should have worked out” moments. Things seem to be a big upswing for you again, but what is it that kept you going when things seemed discouraging?

Luther Russell: Yes, there’s been “disappointments.” But for me, to make music, all one needs is to be inspired. A lot of things inspire me. Success or lack thereof doesn’t really play into it. I guess just don’t be in this game if you’re easily defeated when things “don’t work out.” It’s not a hobby for me, it’s my life, and has been even way before I played a note live or recorded a note in the studio.

Has co-writing songs for Weezer’s album inspired you to get more into the co-writing game?

Luther Russell: I’ve co-written with people for ages. Weezer is just one of the more high-profile artists I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time? Any hobbies that may be surprising?

Luther Russell: I write a lot. Sometimes articles for magazines like Tape Op, or fiction-type things. I recently wrote a script that takes place in the year 1919 in Harlem.

What’s the last concert you attended for fun?

Luther Russell: I saw Nick Cave recently at the Greek [Theater], which was stellar. Also caught Deerhunter at a festival here, who were fantastic. Robyn Hitchcock took me to see Franz Ferdinand and they actually knocked me out. Snoop Dogg was killer last night at the Rams playoff game here at the Colosseum.

Is there something you wish more people knew about Luther Russell?

Luther Russell: Not really. My good friends and family already know me, and that’s enough. I just hope people get something out of the music.

Finally, Luther, any last words for the kids?

Luther Russell: If we’re talking music, it’s all about camaraderie. There’s just no need for drama and bullshit. Is the song good? If the answer is “yes,” then let’s play it, cut it, share it. The end. But really, just work on writing a good song. Start there.

If we’re talking about life, then make a concerted effort not to be petty. Try and be good to each other. There’s really not much time.


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About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."


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