"A Labor of Love" Interview with Al Gamble of St. Paul and the Broken Bones

Songwriting is a very curious artform; it's not the same as poetry. Poetry doesn’t require music.  Both songs and poetry are able to communicate a message or story in such a short number of words, and with such power. Yet, a song is able to serve the message and bring crowds together in a way that poetry cannot do alone.

I sat down with Al Gamble of the band St. Paul and the Broken Bones to talk about his experience as a songwriter, how collaboration between colleagues and family impacts his approach to writing music for the band, and the inspirations for his creative endeavors. 

The Memphis-based musician is a keyboardist for his band, which has been nominated for multiple awards, including a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Musical Performance in 2017. St. Paul and the Broken Bones has also made television appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan on TBS, as well as performing at Austin City Limits, Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo. They have opened for the Rolling Stones in the US and played at Elton John’s Oscar-viewing party and fundraiser for his AIDS foundation; it’s a pretty average resume. 

We started by talking about his roots: Gamble illustrated that his love for creating music started young, but he committed to his passion throughout college at Alabama State University. 

“Without technically writing songs, I started early on in middle school and college just experimenting, making core patterns,” said Gamble. “I wasn’t, like, cranking songs out, and I still don’t do it that way. My brother and I had a band in the early 2000s and I wrote a lot during that time.”

Gamble’s younger brother, Chad Gamble, plays drummer for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, a Grammy award-winning band.

When Gamble described the collaboration process with his current band for writing songs, it made me jealous that I wasn't in the room where it happened.

“Some of it happens the way you’d imagine it: old-fashioned way where everyone gets in a room, sharing parts and experimenting, and it's a true collaboration in that sense,” said Gamble. “But with the last few records with St. Paul, we utilized Dropbox and GarageBand.”

Gamble explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the band’s next album was recorded using computer software.

“In my case, I might present an idea I put together on GarageBand, whether it be a beat with some chords, just to give Paul something to go by,” said Gamble, referencing lead singer Paul Janeway. “As a band we will take those ideas, put them in a Dropbox, and everybody has access to it. You can add to something, or Paul may say ‘here’s a lyrical idea for this part of the song,’ and we just run with it that way. It’s a great way to get everybody’s input and everybody’s ideas in one place. Sometimes they’re used, sometimes they’re not, and sometimes it carries over to the next record.” 

When working from a blank canvas, Gamble explained that creating a song from scratch requires lots of collaboration from the other band members. 

“For me, as a keyboard player, just playing some chords together to get something started is great. Or maybe it's just a simple line, something to get it going,” Gamble said. “In Paul’s case, he’ll start with an idea lyrically; he’ll say lines two or three times over and that may give myself or another band member something to go on. We’ve had a number of songs come about that way. The hard part is just getting something going. It’s a fun process.” 

Talking about evolution or growth towards his approach to writing, Gamble illustrated that his earnest love for music has always been present, and will remain. 

“Music was always a labor of love,” said Gamble. “For me personally, the love that I have for music has never wavered, and so learning to write better is something I definitely try to do. Music, just like anything else, is evolving. There's always something to learn and try to get better at.” 

Taking inspiration from his father’s record collection, Gamble grew up with music from the likes of Ray Charles and Jimmy Smith. He illustrated that these people are still huge influences for him today. 

“At an early age, trying to learn those songs and sounds they used, that influenced me and still does,” Gamble said. “I’m just trying to emulate that. If the love for that is in you, it's trying to get out.” 

When asking about any modern influences he might have, he mentioned a jazz organ player named Larry Goldings. My lack of knowledge about the organ world didn’t hinder the conversation, as we found a shared love for PJ Morton, a jazz singer and musician from New Orleans. 

After singing the praises of Morton’s wonderful album, Gumbo, I asked how music impacts his relationship with his brother. He mentioned their band, The Gamble Brothers Band, and how their secret language was music. 

“We definitely have the same influences and took similar paths, career-wise,” Gamble said. “Music is a language within itself, so having a sibling that speaks that language, you almost don’t have to say anything.” 

Asking about inspirations may seem quite pretentious, but Gamble simply expressed that his inspiration for writing music comes from a quiet aspiration to make something that’s going to be enjoyed and appreciated for years to come. 

“I don’t know about inspiration, but there’s a desire to make something that you can be proud of and stand the test of time.”

It seems that Gamble takes more inspiration from other artists he works with, such as his bandmates or other artists he plays keyboard for, like Foy Vance. 

“It helps me appreciate the art of writing in general,” Gamble said. “Working with someone like Foy, who has everything arranged and the song ready to go and just needs instrumentation, inspires me to become better, even if I’m just a part of one sliver of the puzzle.” 

I brought up the idea that being around people who are better than you in any domain makes you better, to which he agreed. 

“If you want to get better, you want to have people you can strive to emulate.” 

I also asked him about the joys of live performances and his favorite songs with St. Paul and the Broken Bones. 

“I never get tired of playing this song off our second record called ‘Waves,’” Gamble said. “I think it's a really good song, and I think we did a good job. There was some pressure with the second record cause the first record had some success with ‘Call Me.’”

“Call Me” became their first hit, reaching #62 on Billboard’s Hot 200 charts. It was also featured in multiple movies and television shows, like Big Little Lies and Fifty Shades of Grey. 

“Paul had no idea what [Fifty Shades of Grey] was, but it's in a light-hearted scene,” Gamble said, laughing. 

But when asked if he ever got tired of playing their big hits over and over again, Gamble responded eagerly to defend St. Paul fans wanting to hear “Call Me.”

“There are bands that have big hits and they won’t play their hits after a certain amount of time,” Gamble said. “I get it, but I think you have to be accepting of the fact that that song got you to a certain place; if those people come and support you, and if they wanna hear it, let’s play it for them!” 

“I think the pandemic helped put things in perspective for a lot of people, and we don’t take being able to play for granted. I think being snooty about playing certain songs is probably not the way to go. I’m just happy to be doing it.” 

For my final question, I asked what part of the process was his favorite: writing, recording or performing? 

“The recording process is my favorite,” Gamble said. “It’s when everything is starting to become realized. Performing takes a close second.” 

Creating good music, from the lyrics to the keyboard, is truly a collaborative process; Gamble shows that art comes not from one mind, but the minds of everyone who has influenced him. As social beings, art across all genres is created to be shared, which will sprout a seed in the mind of a new artist who will create something to share. The cycle goes on, and Gamble is a testament to it. 

Look out for Gamble playing with St. Paul and the Broken Bones on their new album, Alien Coast, recorded in Birmingham, coming out  January 28, 2022.

December 2021