Song Premiere: Pony Bradshaw’s “Sawtoothed Jericho”

On What He’d Like You to Know About His Background

I’ve lived in North Georgia now for about 15 years, but I’ve lived all over. Growing up, we were very nomadic. A big portion of my youth was spent in East Texas, but I was born in coastal Mississippi. As to how I got into music, I’m not certain. It came later than you’d expect I guess. I think I wrote my first “good” song when I was 25 or so. Then I frequented open mics to get comfortable performing. That was a difficult task to say the least. I’ve always loved music and sang a little. Maybe through reading literature and poetry I became interested in writing songs. That seems like the way it happened.

Formative Figures and Current Favorites

Coming up I admired writers like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. These days I read more than I listen to music. At least new music. When I cook I listen to new things, I suppose. I really like the new Jeff Tweedy record (Love Is the King). I was drawn to Russian writers as a young man, and it seems that that affinity has carried over into my adult life. Dostoevsky, Babel, Gogol, etc.

Back Story of the Song “Sawtoothed Jericho”

I wrote it during the middle of this pandemic. Each verse is sort of its own thing — vignettes strung together. I tend to write that way rather than the linear narrative approach. I appreciate the non sequitur. After writing it in one fell swoop, I slept and then woke up to research more what Sawtoothed Jericho was. I could’ve sworn that I read somewhere that Sawtoothed Jericho was a root somewhat like ginseng that was used for healing or that it had some medicinal purpose. But I couldn’t verify that after waking up, and I still can’t. I likely just made it up. I’m not sure anymore.

Recording the Tune

When I determined that making this record was a certainty, I knew that I wanted to record it at Fellowship Hall Sound in Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s a studio I’ve kept my eye on over the past few years. A friend of mine, Paddy Ryan, recommended it to me. He played drums on my first record (Sudden Opera) and also on this new one, Calico Jim. Cody Ray, Aaron Boehler, Philippe Bronchtein, and Casey Collis make up the rest of the band you hear on the record. We cut it to tape and tried to not overwhelm the songs with clutter and filler. Cody (guitars) has been with me for a while now. We tour as a duo sometimes and he really understands musically what I’m after regarding arrangements and the overall sonic feel I’m chasing.

Riffing on Home

Home is North Georgia. I spend the large majority of my time reading and writing. I can be manic and reclusive. I have to force myself to find balance, but I’m unsuccessful quite often. I like to go to the grocery store sometimes, and I’ll take walks around town in phases and stages. My children definitely help with the balancing out of writing and actively engaging with the physical world. I realize I sound very boring. I also like oatmeal and vacuuming.

Life During Lockdown

As I say, I’m reclusive by nature. Especially when I’m not touring. This lockdown has mostly been an exaggerated version of my normal life. It’s begun to affect me more lately, though. Mentally. I truly miss playing shows and traveling and eating in different cities, meeting new people and fellowshipping. But I’ve used this respite to shape up some songs for the next record.

What’s Next

Hopefully, after the release of Calico Jim (1.29.2021), we’ll be able to tour. I’m thinking mid- to late February. Maybe this vaccine is the real deal and will help venues and clubs open back up, which in turn will give us our livelihood back.

People Might Be Surprised to Learn

I was a cop in the Air Force many, many moons ago.

Parting Thoughts

I hope folks enjoy the new music and can find something in it to connect with. That goes for “Sawtoothed Jericho” and Calico Jim. I’m certainly proud of it.

For more on Pony Bradshaw, visit his website, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Spotify.

Photography: Images courtesy Bekah Jordan