(by Daniella Kiss)

Black Stone Cherry has become one of the most remarkable bands in southern rock over the years, as proven by their recent joint tour with the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. In our interview at the Sweden Rock Festival, Chris Robertson, the band’s lead singer, shared his thoughts after their performance on their latest album, the inspiration behind the songs, and what fans can expect from them in the future.

Your latest record, “Screamin’ at the Sky”, was released last year. Can you share some insights into the creative process behind this album and any unique experiences or challenges you had while recording it?

„This was the first album with Steve Jewell, our new band member. Writing with someone new was a different experience, but it was great to have his input. We wrote most of the album on the road, either after shows, before shows, or sometimes on the back of the tour bus. The record is really about growth and understanding. It’s full of deep lyrical meaning, so it’s definitely worth a few listens.”

Your songs frequently touch on personal and emotional themes. Can you discuss the lyrical themes of „Screamin’ at the Sky”?

„The album covers a range of personal and emotional topics. For example, “When the Pain Comes” talks about how we all deal with pain, and how sometimes we might go too far in coping, whether through substances or other means. Then there’s “Here’s to the Hopeless,” which is an uplifting song about helping others through their struggles and battles. “Show Me What It Feels Like” is more about having a good time with someone. And “R.O.A.R. (Raindrops on a Rose)” is a very personal song about my father, who passed away. So, the record is an emotional journey, and I’m very proud of how it turned out, especially with the vocals and lyrics.”

Is there an overall message you hope to convey to your listeners with this album?

„The main message is that it’s never over. You’re always getting through one hurdle, and there may be another one right behind it, but it’s never actually over. Keep going. Just don’t give up. Keep pushing forward.”

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The band’s music often blends southern rock, hard rock, and blues elements. How do you balance maintaining your signature sound while also exploring new musical directions?

„Since it’s us playing, it’s always going to sound like Black Stone Cherry, whether we lean more towards metal or country, our core sound will still remain rooted in Black Stone Cherry. Even though we wear our influences heavily, we still play in our own way. We never try to mimic anyone — we just take inspiration from them. Of course, when you’re learning, you mimic your influences, but when it comes to songwriting, you don’t want to copy anyone. I mean, borrowing ideas is fine, but it’s how we approach the music and how we grew up playing that defines our sound.”

Black Stone Cherry has always had a strong sense of identity rooted in Kentucky. Can you talk about how your home specifically influences your music and songwriting, and how it shapes the band’s image and message?

„I think living in a slow-paced area, where nobody’s in a hurry and there’s a laid-back ‘you get things done when you get them done’ mentality, allows us to be more creatively free. Even when we started, we weren’t in a big city competing with the sound of the time—we just created whatever we wanted, and if we thought it was cool, that was good enough for us. We didn’t have to compete with all the other bands like we might have if we were from New York or somewhere similar. Being somewhat secluded has let us write honestly without worrying about who’s looking over our shoulder.”

Touring has always been a significant part of the band’s career. What have been some of the most memorable moments from your recent tours?

„We just finished a tour that will probably go down in history as one of the greatest tours ever for us.It was Black Stone Cherry, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. For a band like us, coming from Kentucky where we all still live, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd are kind of Holy Grail bands for the kind of rock’n’roll we love. Being chosen by them to go on the road together was absolutely mind-blowing. They spent a lot of time with us and were just so great to us. That tour is definitely going to stay at number one for a long time.”

Can you share any memorable stories being on the road with them?

„One of the last nights on tour, we were all hanging out, and I was talking to Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top outside. He invited us onto his bus, and we spent about an hour up there, just listening to Billy talk about guitars and pedals and asking us about our gear. It was surreal. It’s one of those moments that you just don’t forget.”

Looking forward, what can fans expect from Black Stone Cherry in the near future? Are there any new projects, collaborations, or directions you’re excited to explore?

„We’re going to be on the road for the rest of the year, and we’re also working on some new music. Hopefully, we’ll have something out soon, though I’m not sure how soon that will be. We’re definitely working on a couple of different ideas for our new material.”

Lastly, if you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

„I’d say my dad, just to get to play music with him one more time would mean everything to me. I used to play with him quite a bit, but I haven’t been able to since he passed in 2021. So, without a doubt, my dad would be my choice.”