“A HOT DOG OF MUSIC, WITH ALL THE FILTHY AMERICAN PARTS”: JAKE SMITH TALKS THE WHITE BUFFALO TOUR AND THE FUTURE OF PROTEST SONGS

INTERVIEW | THE WHITE BUFFALO by Michaela Roper

With undeniably cool roots in Folk Americana, and an Emmy Award nomination to his name, this Oregon-born, California-bred singer-songwriter has effortlessly carved his name into the grand old oak of studio soundscapes, live album recordings, and film and television scores. The White Buffalo is the stage name of Jake Smith, the very man in charge of offering up soundtracks for the likes of Sons of Anarchy and Logan – and the brains behind a catalogue of Alternative Country long plays that span over a twenty year-long career.

The multi-hyphenated artist is taking to the winding roads yet again, and has five UK dates pencilled onto his rustic map of the world as part of his road-tripping tour as The White Buffalo later this month. He’s already shared his craft with fans across the USA following a string of shows in California, but with no new album on the cards since the release of A Freight Train Through The Night almost a year ago, it’s safe to say we’ll be witnessing the raw, unpolished nature of Jake Smith that feels all-so familiar.

Northern Exposure’s own Michaela Roper sat down with Jake Smith this week to pick his brains on all things tour-related, where she caught wind of the potential for some new material in the near future – and how ABBA and The Bee Gees are simply not guilty pleasure artists, no matter what everyone has to say.

Hey! How’s it going?

So, you’re back on the road again as The White Buffalo, how does the touring lifestyle feel after a bit of time off? Is it everything you were hoping for?

Jake: Getting back on the road after some time off is always a little daunting at first. When I’m not touring, I sometimes start questioning my purpose, especially without that stage energy to feed off of. But once I’m back out there, it’s everything I hope for and more—the travel, the different cultures, the food, the scenery, and especially the unique experience of connecting with audiences in so many places.

Touring is beautiful and exciting every time, and even though it can be unpredictable, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Your last album, A Freight Train Through The Night, was described as encapsulating “nomadic life and the nights of a traveling musician”.

Was it important for you to have a record that immortalises that “on the road” feeling, or was it more of a spontaneous decision?

Jake: It was definitely important for me to capture that “on the road” feeling with A Freight Train Through The Night. The title itself comes from that sense of movement, power, and the nomadic life of a traveling musician. I wanted the album to reflect not just the music, but the experience of being out there—night after night, city after city.

At the same time, a lot of what I do is instinctive and organic, so while there was intention behind immortalizing that feeling, it also came together naturally as the songs and the live performances shaped the record.

Are there any terrible habits you get into on tour? What’s your daily routine that keeps you in check? 

Jake: Honestly, I’m probably healthier on tour than I am at home. Having a show every night keeps me more disciplined—knowing I have to perform really cuts down on any bad habits or overindulgence, at least until after the show.

I learned early on that I need to be clear-headed and in control to give my best performance. I don’t really have a strict daily routine, since touring is so unpredictable, but I try to be conscious of my health and make good decisions so I can be at my best on stage.

What about a pre-gig playlist to get you into the mood before a show?

Jake: Honestly, I don’t have a pre-gig playlist to get me in the mood before a show.

We might put some songs on in the front of house just to set a vibe for the audience, but as a band, we don’t even listen to music in the van or on the bus. We’re all pretty comfortable with just chatting or even sitting in silence before a show, no matter what city we’re in.

You’re hitting the UK in August with some pretty exclusive dates too. What are you most looking forward to seeing or doing when you touchdown over the pond?

Jake: I’m really looking forward to playing in Belfast for the first time and headlining shows in some cities we haven’t played before.

It’s always exciting to explore new places, even in cities we already know—there are always new nooks and adventures to discover. I’m also looking forward to the Long Road Festival and seeing that part of the country. Every time I go back, things change and there’s always something new to experience, so I’m excited for whatever the UK has in store this time around.

Have you got some new material lined up for those shows, or will you be sticking to the classics we know and love? Is there a bit of a strategy to make sure the boredom doesn’t kick in, playing the same run of tracks each time?

Jake: For these shows, I’ll mostly be sticking to the classics that everyone knows and loves. I am writing new material, but nothing’s really ready for public consumption just yet.

To keep things fresh and make sure boredom doesn’t set in—for us or the audience—I like to bring out some deeper cuts that we haven’t played or even considered playing in a while. That way, the set feels new and exciting, even if we’re not debuting brand new songs.

Obviously, you’ve got a pretty prestigious award nomination to your name thanks to your work on Sons of Anarchy. When you were first starting out, were movie and television soundtracks on your radar, or was it just a fate you accepted that happily paid off?

Jake: Honestly, when I was first starting out, movie and television soundtracks weren’t really on my radar. It wasn’t something I set out to do, but I think the cinematic style of my songwriting naturally lent itself to that world.

A lot of it comes down to luck and being in the right place at the right time. I’m definitely grateful for how it all worked out, and I’m happy that my music found a home in film and TV, but it wasn’t something I was actively chasing from the beginning.

So many of the tracks used for the show reflect your love for Folk and Americana, particularly the likes of Bob Dylan and other protest singers of the time.

Are there any current bands or musicians that stand out to you as leading the modern wave of protest music, or any new outfits you feel particularly inspired by today?

Jake: There are definitely some new artists and bands that I find inspiring these days. Lately I’ve been listening to bands like Viagra Boys and Idles, who both have a kind of raw, energetic sound that I really enjoy.

There’s also Andy Shauf, a Canadian songwriter I’ve recently discovered—he’s a contemporary master in my eyes. While I don’t know if they’re all leading the modern wave of protest music in the traditional sense, they each bring something fresh and honest to the table, and that’s what inspires me most.

What about any guilty pleasure artists that you’d hate to admit you’re really digging lately?

Jake: Honestly, I don’t really have any guilty pleasure artists—I’ve always liked ABBA and the Bee Gees, but I’m not ashamed to admit that. None of those really feel like guilty pleasures to me; I just enjoy what I enjoy.

Finally, just for those readers out there that might not have heard of The White Buffalo outside of their television screens, how would you describe yourself to someone new?

Jake: I’d say The White Buffalo is American music—a hot dog of music, with all the filthy American parts put into one casing.

And on that note, how about three words to describe what’s on the horizon for you? Are we talking about a new project, another live album, maybe another release with Jay Joyce working with you? 

Jake: If I had to sum up what’s on the horizon in three words, I’d say: writing, new album.

I’m really focusing on locking in some new songs and exploring a direction that’s maybe a little more raw and organic. We’ll see where it leads—maybe another live album, maybe something with Jay Joyce again—but right now, it’s all about the writing.

Jake Smith and his band as The White Buffalo will be hitting the road later this month, with stops at Glasgow’s O2 Academy, Manchester’s O2 Ritz, and The Limelight in Dublin. You can get your hands on tickets through the links on Instagram, @buffaloco. Quite an apt name following the previous album, right?