Up to this point, David Nance has been regarded as a bit of a cult artist, making great ragged heartland rock, releasing wildly transformative full-album covers of classic records, and helping out other artists like Rosali while still remaining very under the radar. That will hopefully start to change with his new album, David Nance & Mowed Sound (also the name of his current band), which is out now via Jack White’s Third Man Records. It’s a great example of what Nance does so well, and adds a few new sonic weapons to his arsenal. You can listen to the whole thing, and watch his just-released video for album standout “Credit Line,” below.
For more on the album, David and the whole band put together a list of 10 musical influences, some of which you might not expect. They include afrobeat drummer Tony Allen, Yoko Ono, Richie Havens, Robert Wyatt, and Barry White‘s Love Unlimited Orchestra. Check out the band’s full list with commentary below.
Ten Influences Behind ‘David Nance & Mowed Sound’
Charlemagne Palestine – Strumming Music
Should be called “Perfect Music”. We added a cheap imitation of this to “Mock The Hours”. The song is pretty lifeless without it. -Dave
Leo Nocentelli – Another Side
Kev brought this one to my attention and I thought he said that it sounded likeThe Meters but acoustic. I found it a little embarrassing how closely it resembled them, only to find out I was the only one that didn’t know it was their guitarist’s unearthed album. -Jim
Tony Allen – Black Voices
We talked about rhythm being a focus on this one, settling into some grooves. No one goes harder or deeper than Tony Allen. I would put this on most mornings while we were recording to get into alignment before walking to Jim’s studio/basement. -Kevin
Yoko Ono – Fly
Always thinking of Yoko in the studio. The best Beatle forever. -Dave
Curtis Mayfield – There’s No Place Like America Today
There’s so much depth and space in this album. I had just bought a new set of speakers while assembling the basement studio and wore them in with this one. -Jim
Richie Havens – Mixed Bag
Dave dropped off a few dollar bin Richie Havens albums at my house during the pandemic and got us talking about sounding like CAN, but from dirt instead of from outerspace, e.g. the song “Adam”. Not sure if that comes through on the album but it seemed like a worthy endeavor. -Kev
Junior Markham & The Tulsa Review – Black Cherry 45”
I have a pretty heavy fixation on Jesse Ed Davis and his first recorded appearance with The Tulsa Review is astonishing. The band doubles down on the riff and goes to infinity with it. Bonus points for J.J. Cale filling in as producer. -Dave
Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom
Dave showed me this album some months before we began recording and I was especially enthralled by the song “Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road.” Discovering its symmetry while playing along one night felt especially personal. -Jim
Bohannon – Keep on Dancin’
Bohannon seemed to come up often while we were working some of this stuff out. Find a groove, stick on it, add shakers and junk. Authentically human trance music. -Kevin
The Love Unlimited Orchestra – “Love’s Theme”
Seems like this song would always be on the radio (Boomer 1490 AM) heading to and from the studio, like a friendly reminder to try and make something authentic and pretty. Sounds real good with the windows down too. -Dave
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