Photo by Nate Brown

“Family Business” is the debut LP by Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter EG Vines. Produced by the magic touch of Nashville’s Jordan Lehning, the record is a follow-up to Vine’s 2018 debut EP, “Conversation.” You may have recently heard the lead single “The Salesman” on local rock radio Lightning 100 or Americana station WMOT. Vines is an honor student from the Tom Petty / Jason Isbell school of songwriting. Sonically, he’s on the edgier side of Americana, and lyrically, he’s mighty poignant for a rocker, putting him comfortably at home on both ends of the radio dial.

A lone riffing guitar leads the record off and lands on the reflective refrain “the victim is me.” About this song, Vines had to say, “I started writing ‘The Victim’ when I was at the beach with my family thinking back on the progression of my life. It talks about victim mentality—if you feel like a victim, you’re going to be a victim. There is a way to break out of that and hopefully we learn to see it.”

Yes, these are challenging times for us all, and Vines covers a lot of territory through his insightful commentary on a record that you will savor from start to finish. Have a listen to “Drunkard’s Dream,” one of its choice tracks.

Thanks to EG for delivering us his eleven. I hope you got the chance to see Vines and his band at their recent sold-out show at the OG Basement. They are out on the road right now, and I am hopeful for some return local shows soon. Catch them in the small room while you still can. I predict a Ryman date in the not-so-distant future for EG Vines.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

Alabama, Arkansas (as Edward Sharpe plays in my head) and then moved to Nashville after university studies in ’09.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

First was probably a grouping from Columbia House in the mid 90’s. Definitely got Weezer (“The Blue Album”) and Green Day (Dookie) in the batch. I just bought Radiohead’s In Rainbows. Finally!

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

Hmmm. The first was probably some 90’s Christian band like Third Day, and I just watched the Seratones at the High Watt a couple nights ago.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

I didn’t know we had one. Hah! Brendan Benson.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

That’s an easy one. Dose and Five Points Pizza.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

I’m no history buff, but I know Neil Young recorded parts of Harvest here. That and a couple of Isbell’s records

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

The closest hot dog vendor I can find or of course Five Points Pizza

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

The aforementioned Benson and Isbell, and then I’ll add Rayland Baxter

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

I’m partial to the Basements (OG and East).  But I love the Mercy and Exit/In too!

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here.

Trick question. They ALL live here now

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

Probably a lot of fast food, blow-up mattresses and sleep deprivation. That and as many ears to listen to my music as the universe will offer me!