Photo by Tony Hammons

Calling his style “Rhythm & Roots,” Americana singer-songwriter Bradford Loomis recently released a tasty new record, “Where the Light Ends.” It’s the sixth studio LP for the soulful-sounding storytelling Loomis and follows “Live at the Red Clay Foundry,” a live record from earlier this year.

Life hadn’t been easy back home near Seattle for Loomis, and it’s great to now see him in a good place here in Music City. Says Bradford, “There is such a thing as good grief. I had walked away from music for ten years when we started a family. The grief we felt, the desperation of those hard times…without it, I doubt that I would have come back to it in any meaningful way or that we would have ever taken the leap to going all in with it.”

Check out the video for the new records lead-off track, “Rambling Man.”

Thanks, Bradford, for your time with 11 Questions. We look forward to your upcoming Nashville show at The Crying Wolf on November 3.  Also, if you are looking for a fun event this coming holiday season, Bradford loves doing house concerts and you can inquire here about hosting your own. He also does a live show on Facebook every Monday at 9pm Central that you can watch here.

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

Originally, I am from a little town an hour north of Seattle called Marysville. We moved here because everyone in the industry kept telling me I needed to live in either LA or Nashville. I have a wife and kids, and Nashville just seemed so much more family-friendly and affordable. Also, I was already spending so much time, money, and energy getting to the rest of the United States from one of the corners of this country. So, moving from one corner to another wasn’t going to help that problem.

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

Oh man, that’s a great question! I think the first record I bought was Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin. Gotta love the classics! The most recent record I bought was Kindness Never Quits by Kristopher James. It’s brand new and amazing!

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen? 

When I was a freshman in high school, I took a girlfriend to see Janet Jackson. She could put on a show! The most recent show was seeing Austin Jenckes here in Nashville. He’s a buddy from Washington and wrote a couple songs with me on this new record. Anyways, he is crushing it right now!

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

I would say the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Their contribution to the legacy of American music is so vital. Introducing and thereby preserving slave songs and “Negro Spirituals” was foundational for music as we know it today, let alone the societal importance of knowing your history in all its complexity.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza? 

The coffee here is incredible! I love Dose, Frothy Monkey, and Red Bicycle. I don’t eat much pizza though. My wife has Celiac Disease.

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

I would say Raising Sand has to be right up there for me. I LOVE that album and pretty much anything that T Bone Burnett touches.

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

I’m no fun. Ha! I don’t eat after 8 pm.

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

I would have to say Katie Boeck (she has the most incredible voice!), Courtney Marie Andrews (one of the best lyricists and songwriters I’ve ever known), and Emmylou Harris (I mean, obviously). That would be a night to remember.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town? 

I’ve never gotten around to trying to play the Bluebird, so that would be cool. One of these days. I have really enjoyed the True Music Lounge at Hotel Cambria. The sound there is incredible! And Kimbro’s Pickin Parlor in Franklin is classic.

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

If I’m totally honest, I’d say Brett Thompson. He is such a great writer and guitarist. He’s collaborated on a handful of my projects and he makes everything he touches better!

Finally, what’s in your musical future? 

I’ll be touring through this next year in support of this new record Where the Light Ends (which released on October 11), including my first European tour! Along the way, we’ll be releasing some additional singles and maybe an EP as well!