An Interview With Nettwerk Music Group Band, GOOD OLD WAR On Their Newest Album, Their Favorite Producers And More!

Keith Goodwin and  Dan Schwartz make up the band Good Old War. This summer, they released their fourth studio album and first on Nettwerk Records, “Broken Into Better Shape”. Produced by Jason Lehning (Mat Kearney, Dolly Parton), and featuring lead single “Tell Me What You Want From Me,” it follows critically acclaimed “Come Back As Rain”, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers, and led to national TV performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! & Conan.

Good Old War has earned the loyalty of an ever-expanding fan base thanks to their captivating live shows touring along side a diverse group of artists including Alison Krauss, Guster, Brandi Carlisle and Dr. Dog.

Learn more about their newest album and the guys themselves in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! How was your summer?

Great! We’ve been on the road all summer.

How do you think your sound has changed since your debut album in 2008, “Only Way To Be Alone”?

I think we’ve just gotten better and better at writing and making recordings so I think it’s just always getting closer to what we hear in our heads.

How has your relationship with each other grown over the years? What are the band dynamics like now?

We get along great. It’s very diplomatic. We have a lot of respect for each other’s opinions and we trust what the other has to say. Our dynamic is to try any idea either one of us brings in if it gets us excited. If not, no worries. We can either come back to it later or move on to something else. Our collaboration is a huge part of who we are.

Photo Credit: Natalie Escobedo

You’ve been able to work with many incredible producers on your albums. Which ones have really stood out to you?

They have all brought something interesting to the table. We’ve only really worked with three. Rick Parker was all about getting a good vibe and was really fun to be around. Jason Cupp is like a member of the band and he also does our live sound so he has had a big hand in helping us develop our sound. He’s been there since the very beginning. Jason Lehning is a really talented musician/engineer/songwriter/etc… He is just a wealth of great ideas and has an incredible ear.

What was the inspiration for your album’s lead single “Tell Me What You Want From Me”? Why did you decide to work with outside songwriters for this record?

We did it before. It’s something a lot of bands are resistant of. We were at first too, but then we realized that it gave us the opportunity to get into the room with writers we look up to and learn about their processes. We are extremely passionate about songwriting and it’s such a private thing so you never get to see how other people do it. This experience taught us so much and made us much better writers. “Tell Me What You Want from Me” is a song about getting to a point where you are trying so hard to please but you just can’t figure out what the other person wants. Keith wrote the great lyrics in the verses.

How was your tour with Kodaline? What were some favorite shows and crowds?

It was so awesome. They are a great live band and even cooler people. We loved being out with them. Their crowd is younger and mostly female so it was a different dynamic from our usual shows. It was fun to play to a room full of screaming girls.

What musicians have continued to inspire you all? Who would you love to work with in the future?

The Dream and Tricky are amazing songwriters, Jai Paul, Father John Misty, Blake Mills, so many people!

Photo Credit: Shane Timm

Now that your tour is over, what’s next on your schedule?

We have some holiday shows in New York, Boston, Philly, and Albany in December. Then tour tour tour…

What would you like listeners to take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs?

Our main message is that nothing can break you. You can always come out of even the worst situation stronger. It’s not always easy but there’s a light at the end of even the longest, darkest tunnels.