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On the occasion of the release of his latest solo album, I want blood (one of 15 must-see albums released today!), Jerry Cantrell joined Kyle Meredith for a discussion about the nuances of balancing legacy and innovation within a long and storied career. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Cantrell, best known as the driving force behind Alice in Chains, talks about the creative process behind his new album and how the pressure to deliver something new is still ever-present, even after decades of success. “It's always a challenge,” Cantrell admits. “When you commit to making an album, you dedicate at least three years of your life to it, so you don't take it lightly.”
Get tickets to Jerry Cantrell here
As Cantrell explains, the solo label can be a bit misleading, since it's not just on I want blood. With longtime collaborators like Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) and Robert Trujillo (Metallica) joining him on the record, the spirit of collaboration runs deep: “You can be the captain, but you need a crew to navigate the ship. “
Cantrell reflects on how to maintain creative momentum in the later stages of your career. He points to other veteran bands still going strong, including Pearl Jam. “They just released one of their best albums,” Cantrell says, noting their ability to stay fresh while still being true to their roots. “It's amazing; it doesn't need to happen, but here it is.” Like Pearl Jam, Cantrell has had a long career and that has led to a huge catalog that doesn't always translate to the live stage. “'Born Again,' I don't think we've ever played it live,” he says. “A lot of bands, from The Beatles to you, talking to me, there are a lot of songs that don't get performed. There are also songs that are designed to be a studio piece… 'I Stay Away' is a song that you often hear complaints about because we don't play, but that's with an orchestra. “It's a hard thing to do live.”
You can see which Jerry Cantrell songs from Alice in Chain does plays live seeing him on his upcoming solo tour dates, including a recently revealed leg in 2025, getting tickets here. Hear Cantrell discuss I want blood above, or watch the interview below. Stay up to date with the latest episodes by following Kyle Meredith with… on your favorite podcast platform; Also, check out all the series on the Consequence Podcast Network.
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