Sevendust Interview: Lajon Witherspoon on ‘Truth Killer,’ Solo Music and More

2023-08-14

Sevendust

Sevendust interview – Story by Anne Erickson, photo by Chuck Brueckmann

Vocalist Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust joins Anne Erickson to talk about the band’s new album, “Truth Killer”

Sevendust have been a force in heavy-yet-melodic music since the mid-1990s. They released their self-titled debut in 1997 and have consistently churned out new records throughout the decades. Now, Sevendust are back with their 14th studio album, “Truth Killer.” Read on for Audio Ink Radio’s new Sevendust interview.

Sevendust vocalist Lajon Witherspoon always had a vision for this band. He says he somehow expected that he’d be still making music at this point in his career.

“We always had a dream that we’d be doing this,” Witherspoon tells Audio Ink Radio. “I definitely thought I’d be doing some kind of music or something in the music industry. But, when we were young, I remember saying, wouldn’t it be cool if one day we had kids and wives and still had the band and the family would ride on the bus with us? And, we’ve done all that stuff.”

Sevendust’s new album is unlike any before it. What’s more, the band crafted the album on Witherspoon’s family farm in the small town of Baldwin, Georgia.

“We started the album writing it at my family’s farmhouse here in Baldwin, and it was a special experience,” he explained. “We remodeled grandma and grandpa’s house that they left to my wife and family, and I said, this would be the perfect place to write. (It has) 300 acres and nothing out there except cattle. It’s just quiet, peaceful. The band was setup in grandma’s old bedroom.”

Sevendust has remained a major presence in modern metal music over the years. Moreover, when asked about that success, Witherspoon attributes it to staying active and engaged.

“I feel like just us being present and being around…being in the faces of people,” he said. “Even during the pandemic, us putting the album out, we didn’t get to tour, but it at least put a Band-Aid on the wound that we all had being stuck in the house. And, also, we tried to do those videos, the “Sevendust Live,” where we were in an undisclosed location, only two of the crew members and three people from the film crew, and we had to perform like we were performing an incredible show in front of a millions of people.”

“I feel like that kept us afloat,” he added. “Doing things like that kept us fresh. As a band, I didn’t feel like we’d been gone as long as we’ve been gone by doing those things.”

Aside from Sevendust, Witherspoon is having busy summer. After all, he’s working on his new, solo album with some bigwigs in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Sevendust is really important, and we’re getting ready to launch this album,” he said. “…And, then on a side note, I’m doing my solo stuff. I’ll be going back down to Nashville, Tennessee, again in July to work with an incredible writing team that I’ve been working with. These guys have actually written songs for Jelly Roll and several other big artists coming out of Nashville right now, so it’s been exciting. I have a few things going on, and it’s a good time right now.”

Regarding the sound of the solo material, Witherspoon promises, “We’ll be leaking out some stuff, too. I look forward to that. I’m excited about that, too. There’s a lot of different stuff, and I think a lot of folks are going to like it.”

Listen to Audio Ink Radio’s full interview with Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust via Apple Podcasts here and Spotify Podcasts here. Sevendust are also hitting the road with Alter Bridge and Mammoth WVH this August and Static-X and Dope this fall.

Anne Erickson
Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Interviews, Metal, Music, Rock

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