Photo by Misty Sheehan

Trae Sheehan will soon release his third full-length album, “Postcards from the Country” on Half Moon Records. You can watch and feel the loneliness he sings about in the video to its first single, “To Be Alone” right here. Trae is a storytelling songwriter at heart who writes songs packed with emotion. He says about the new single, “This is a love song at its core. A slightly twisted one, but a love song, nonetheless. We never want the one person we love more than anything to be alone.”

If he looks familiar to you, in better times, you may have seen him working as an audio engineer here in town at the Bluebird Café. In the meantime, Trae is doing his best to keep active with some house concerts and backyard gigs. If you live in the Indy area you can see Trae at the Little Flower House Concert Series on December 5.

Thanks, Trae for visiting 11 Questions! We look forward to seeing you on the other side of this current mess.

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

I grew up on an alpaca farm in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, just a couple of miles from the Potomac River. It’s a place I love but there isn’t much of a music scene, so moving became kind of a necessity. I went to college just outside of New York City and that was an incredible place to learn how to create a real show when I tour. There are so many incredible acts there that know how to put on a show rather than just play their songs. After graduating I moved to Nashville, it felt like the right move for the kind of music I write but it’s also a perfect place to start tours. So far, it’s been incredible.

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

The first CD I ever bought was an AC/DC greatest hits collection, and the most recent was The Milk Carton Kids’ first album Prologue. The difference between 13-year-old me and 22-year-old me gives me a good laugh. The last digital record I bought was an album Seth Avett made as “Timothy Seth Avett as Darling” titled IV. and it’s incredible. It’s a record I revisit often.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

The first concert I really remember was John Mayer on his Paradise Valley tour. That was my first-time seeing Aaron Sterling play and he’s one of my favorite drummers both in the studio and live. My most recent concert was, again, The Milk Carton Kids at the Basement East just a few weeks before the tornado came through. I loved that venue.

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

Easy, every single session player in town.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Before the pandemic I went to Three Brother’s Coffee a lot. They’re my favorite cup of coffee in town and it’s a great atmosphere. For pizza, Two Boots was my favorite. I didn’t go there a ton, but I think they have the best slice in town.

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

Right now, I can’t stop listening to Joe Pug’s record The Flood in Color. He tracked it at House of Blues Studios with Kenneth Pattengale right before they shut down. It’s beautiful songwriting with a perfect sonic landscape.

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

If it’s not too late I love stopping by San Antonio Taco Co. But if it’s past midnight, you can find me at the nearest Waffle House. They’re always there for you.

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

Sam Lewis, Sierra Hull and Melissa Erin. I met Sam through my friend Chris Anderson who plays bass on my records. I met Sam after one of his shows in New York City. He’s one of my favorite songwriters in town. Sierra I’ve never met but she has a beautiful voice and creates really intricate solo mandolin arrangements that I love. She’s another incredible writer. I know Melissa from my time in New York and she’s one of my favorite artists to play a show with. She’s great to work with and an awesome storyteller lyrically.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

Honestly, I haven’t played in town a whole lot since I’m usually on the road. One of my favorite spots I have played is the Douglas Corner which, sadly, had to close recently. I would love to make it to Station Inn at some point.

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

Maybe Ken Yates. I think he would fit in well musically with the Folk/Americana scene in town and bring a sound that isn’t heard much in the south that we should hear more.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

I have my new record Postcards from the Country coming out September 18^, and I’m really excited to push it out into the world! Other than that, I’m anxiously awaiting the time I can get back on the road. Touring is where I feel most at home and I miss seeing my friends around the country.