Songwriting fascinates me. It seems like the hardest job anyone could ever have. Of course, there are many variations to songwriting. Sometimes, it is scripted or “forced creativity,” as I’ve heard it referred to by some artists. Sometimes, it is literally bearing your soul on paper. Although I am enamored by those individuals who can be given a phrase or a topic and bang out a clever, well-prosed song, I am more enthralled by the artist that can take their own life experiences and present them in a way that the listener can draw their own experiences and emotions from. Songwriters can tell you that it is often both therapeutic and intimidating. The singer-songwriter is one who strips away all of their layers - exposing each of their vulnerabilities and emotions with every performance. 

For Stanton, Kentucky native, Aaron Boyd, songwriting and performing was a means to an end: closing a chapter in his life. His lyrics allowed him to process and let go of the demons he harbored from his previous battle with addiction. In the beginning of his nine years of sobriety, he wrote the songs featured on his recently released album, Until the End. Aaron shared that, “there were a lot of things I had let hold me down for many years and those first songs were a way of letting all that go.” So often, the lines that a songwriter pens are just as therapeutic and meaningful to the listener as they are to the artist. The interpretations may vary, but the results are typically similar.

Aaron said that he never really intended to record these songs. They were just thoughts and feelings he needed to get off of his chest. Some of those feelings stemmed from the loss of friends, the demise of relationships, mistakes made, and the anxiety of being apart from loved ones. Aaron’s songs may seem like they are laced with nothing but sadness, however they are also brimming with hope and perseverance.

The title track, “Until the End,” is an affirmation that despite separation, friendship and support still remains. “It’s hard letting go/ I watched you love and I watched you grow/ I try to get by and I guess we will/ Sometimes it feels like I’m sitting still/ So if you’re out there and you’re all alone/ Call on me and I’ll bring you home/ And if you ever just need a friend/ Know I’ll be there ‘til the end.”

In the middle of the track list is an emotional tribute to a good friend and mentor of Aaron’s. “Peace of Mind (Jeff’s Song)” was written from the sorrowful and powerless feelings that Aaron was experiencing after visiting his dying friend in the hospital. Aaron credits his friend, Jeff, for pushing him to pursue a singer-songwriter career. Aaron didn’t know how to process what was happening to his musical mentor. So, after he left the hospital that day, he went and bought a pack of smokes and Budweiser, which is his buddy’s favorite beer, and sat on the porch and wrote this song. The verses are somber, yet fond memories with the emotions and music ascending into the powerful chorus as Aaron pleads for peace and understanding. “There’s one thing that I want to say/ I can’t stand to see you go…go away/ There’s one thing that I want to find/ That’d be peace of mind.” The song concludes with meaningful voice mail recordings from Jeff’s friends and family. If you’ve ever lost a dear friend, this song will hit home.

One of the most formidable songs on the album is “Reconcile.” Boyd described to me that the song was written about a friend of his growing up in a small town that struggled with addiction, much like he did, but unfortunately, was not able to overcome. He wrote it primarily from his friend’s perspective from wherever we go after this life.

The instrumentation on the album is superb. Roots country lyrics that are backed with an alternative rock sound. It’s full of electric guitar solos and instrumental runs. I really liked how the tone was set for “Changes” with the cello intro by Collin Vice. Coming in towards the end of that song, it sounds like notes from a pedal steel, but it is actually the skillful guitar work of Josh Nolan with a B-Bender. Rounding out the rest of the band are Trenton Jenkins on lead guitar, Aaron Francis on bass, Josh Anglin on drums, and Boyd himself on baritone guitar. Jason Groves recorded Until the End at The Sneak Attack Recording Company in Lexington, Kentucky.

Although Aaron doesn’t consider his writing style to be similar, he does draw inspiration from artists such as John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, and Keith Whitley. A lot of his musical influences are those of other Kentucky musicians and songwriters like Justin Wells, whom Aaron played drums for at one time. He took the experience he gained on the road in Justin Wells’ band to help develop his own music career. 

Aaron is currently plotting his course for the upcoming year. To kick off 2020, Aaron is performing in the 17th Annual Townes Van Zandt Tribute show. This year’s concert will be held at Louisville, Kentucky’s Gravely Brewing Company, where more than 25 artists are set to play 2-3 song sets, beginning at 6pm on New Years Day. The event is free and features local and regional talent covering the Texas songwriter and poet legend, Townes Van Zandt. That is sure to be a great show! Check out the Facebook event for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/364210537581804/

Aaron is working on bookings for his trio band in which he’ll be joined by cellist and fiddle player. In addition to touring with the trio and performing solo acoustic shows, Boyd has plans to release acoustic versions of some of the songs from the Until the End album. He is also already formulating a new album that’ll be recorded with the trio (guitar, cello, fiddle). Aaron can be found playing various venues and festivals around the Bluegrass region and into the Midwestern states as well. Until the End is out now, so pick up a copy of the album or download it from your favorite digital platform.

For more info on Aaron Boyd, follow him here:

https://musicaaronboyd.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/aaronboydmusic0/

https://www.instagram.com/aaron_boyd_music_/

Photos By Alexis Faye:

lexwtf.com