He shared that he and Stephen wrote “You Didn’t Want Me” back in 2012. “We have been staying incredibly busy,” he said. “It took us an hour and a half to write the song, and we did the demo in the studio that night, and we played it for all the A&R people at EMI at the time. They pitched it to Justin Bieber and people in the country world, so we held onto it, and a few years later, we decided to bring it with us to Curb Records. We released it digitally a month ago.”
Gunderson admitted that he has always been really passionate about this song. “The song came together in an organic and fun way. It meant a lot to Stephen and me,” he said. “It is a fan-favorite too.”
On his plans for the future, Gunderson said, “We are grateful to have another shot on Curb Records. We are grateful to have a fifth record deal in a town where most people don’t even have their first. We don’t take that for granted. We want to make sure that we live life to the fullest and that we make the best music that we possibly can.”
In their concerts, their two most requested songs include “Angel Eyes” and “Whiskey on my Breath.” “A lot of people still relate and gravitate to that song,” he said, about the latter tune. “It is pretty crazy.”
Speaking of their live shows, Gunderson really enjoys covering “Midnight Rider” by the Allman Brothers Band, that was written by the late Gregg Allman. “The Allman Brothers have always been one of my favorite bands, and that song in particular has always been a favorite,” he admitted. “I am a huge fan and I love them. The rawness, organic vibe and the transparency of that music is really unparalleled. It keeps you grounded musically.”
Digital transformation of the country music business
On the impact of technology in the music business, Gunderson said, “Depending on who you ask, there are ‘dinosaurs’ that refuse to accept change, but I think it is amazing for the industry. Once you are fairly compensated, I think people will recognize that you can pick up your phone when you hear a song at a theme park and immediately have access to that, and every other song that the artist has ever recorded. Technology is great for people who do not have a platform, such as a record label. It allows them to be discovered by fans, and it has evened the playing field. Technology really broadens musical horizons.”
As a musician, Gunderson uses technology in the studio with computers and digital gears. “They have come such a long way,’ he said. “Technology has made it easier for people to get things done, to collaborate and to create. It is easier than it has ever been.”
For their fans, they concluded, “We are grateful for the opportunity to still be making music 13 years later. We are thrilled to have another record deal.”
“You Didn’t Want Me” by Love and Theft is available on iTunes and on Spotify.
For more information on Love and Theft and their latest single “You Didn’t Want Me,” check out his official homepage.
Read More: Digital Journal reviewed Love and Theft’s single “You Didn’t Want Me.”
