Songwriter Kendell Marvel Readies New Album “Solid Gold Sounds”
Even if you’ve never heard the music, perhaps you’ve seen the name. And even if you’ve never seen the name, you’ve probably heard the music, just under a different name than his own. It’s all the work of songwriter and performer Kendell Marvel, who has made a career writing songs for the likes of Jamey Johnson, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, and others.
After growing frustrated by having to cater his songs to what country radio would play, Kendell Marvel launched a solo career, releasing his first LP Lowdown & Lonesome in 2017. Just as much blues, Southern rock, and soul as country, it sparked a lot of attention for the songwriter. Now he’s looking to take his solo career a step further by partnering with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys as both producer and label owner (Easy Eye Sound) to release Sold Gold Sounds on October 11th.
“He’s not craving the stage or craving the spotlight,” says Dan Auerbach, who also co-wrote nine of the ten songs on the new album. “This record comes from a humble place, which I really love … Kendell has this amazing voice, and when he backs it off a little bit, it opens up and sounds humongous. It’s so resonant and the microphone just eats it up. We got him to sing a little softer on this record, not to actually sound softer, but so we could turn him up louder.”
Kendell Marvel might not crave the stage or the spotlight, but that’s exactly what he’s receiving at the moment while opening for Chris Stapleton as part of his All-American Roadshow tour. Just like Stapleton and Jamey Johnson before, Marvel is a guy who made his bones by being a songwriter, but couldn’t be held back as a performer forever.
“They brought the singer back out of me,” Marvel says about Dan Auerback and co-producer Dan Ferguson. “I’ll always be a songwriter, but I want people to see the artistic side of me … There came a time when the stuff you had to write to get on the radio, I wasn’t willing to do anymore. I’d done pretty well as a songwriter up until that point, and made a few decisions where I didn’t have to put myself in that position. So I said, ‘I think I’ll make a record.’”
A native of Southern Illinois, Marvel moved to Nashville at 28 to become a performer. But like many in the business, fell into songwriting as a way to provide for his family. Now with a well-respected resume under his belt, he’s looking to make a name for himself beyond the album credits of others.
Ahead of the release of Solid Gold Sounds, Kendell Marvel has made available the song “Hard Time with the Truth” written with Auerback and John Anderson. Solid Gold Sounds is now available for pre-order.
Solid Gold Sounds track listing:
- Hard Time with the Truth
- Let It Go
- When It’s Good
- Blood in the Water
- I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You
- Cadillac’n
- If You Know What’s Good
- Musta Kept It for Himself
- Easy Rider
- Roots of My Raisin’
Jim Rich
August 8, 2019 @ 9:33 am
Thanks for shining the light Trig. Kendell is a bit of a secret that deserves to be known. Great writer great performer and a great guy!
RD
August 8, 2019 @ 10:34 am
What a surprise. I thought it was going to sound more like Burl Ives.
Frozen Alaskan Beard
August 8, 2019 @ 11:24 am
Kendell Marvel came up to Anchorage earlier this summer. He performed an all acoustic set with Cody Jinks. Just two guys with their guitars, swapping songs.
I went to the show to see Cody Jinks, but I was blown away by Kendell Marvel.
He is 100% legit as a singer, songwriter, and performer.
Count me in. Looking forward to this release.
Garrett Roe
August 8, 2019 @ 12:04 pm
I’m looking forward to it! I’ve worn out his first album, and have met the man on two occasions. Great guy, and great talent!
Andrew
August 8, 2019 @ 2:16 pm
Wonder if that last track is a Merle cover…
Jimmy Asher
August 8, 2019 @ 2:26 pm
Reminds me of Brandon Jenkins!
albert
August 8, 2019 @ 6:10 pm
i became an auerbach fan with the Yola album. this is cementing that loyalty to his productions . stellar . i’m not sure we have half the song here without auerbach but i’ll certainly give kendall the benefit of that doubt . he was smart enough to know what auerbach could bring to this .
Blockman
August 9, 2019 @ 8:03 am
Dang. Now that’s a tune that hits home hard. Good stuff.
RNFNROL
August 9, 2019 @ 2:44 pm
PSYCHED for this. L&L was an absolute banger, through & through. Best news I’ve read all day.
Anthony
August 11, 2019 @ 10:46 am
“There came a time when the stuff you had to write to get on the radio, I wasn’t willing to do anymore.”
I admire Kendell for taking that stance, but it’s a sorry indictment of the genre that he felt he had to.
JB-Chicago
August 12, 2019 @ 8:43 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of incredible stuff we get turned onto here. Trig put the new song is his playlist. I loved it and went and found the gem that is Lowdown & Lonesome. Great album!!! Just like with Kaitlin Butts’ incredible song “White River” in his playlist helped me find Same Hell, Different Devil. Now I can’t wait for her next one. Of course I don’t love every song in his playlists, most of em are at least good but I love weeding through em and finding the nuggets!
Jim
August 13, 2019 @ 8:33 am
JB Kendell was just in Chicago at Carol’s Pub July 19 for a $5 cover! Unfortunately I already had tickets for Jamey and Tyler Childers in Peoria the same night but all things being equal I would have gone to Kendell’s show. If you get a chance check out his live show.
JB-Chicago
August 13, 2019 @ 9:02 am
Vaguely remember seeing it on their calendar. I’m sure I didn’t know who he was at the time and know I hadn’t heard the album yet or I would’ve of went. I saw The Steel Woods there. They bring the “up and comers” there before either Joe’s. Dee White, Charles Wesley Godwin, William Clark Green were recently there. I know Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters will be there in October.
JB-Chicago
August 13, 2019 @ 9:17 am
FYI….. I just saw The Steel Woods are here Friday night @ Fitzgeralds in Berwyn. Didn’t even know of the show until I just looked to see what they were up to and I was just there 4th of July!
Tex Hex
August 13, 2019 @ 7:00 pm
“Golden” year for country so far. Gethen Jenkins’ “Western Gold”, the Moonpies’ “Solid Country Gold” and now Kendall Marvel’s “Solid Gold Sounds”.
Anyway, I think Auerbach is now a better label curator and producer than artist. His last solo album was pretty light weight and new Black Keys album is weak too.
JF
October 17, 2019 @ 3:11 pm
Damn this record is great.