`Inside Out’
Graham Colton debuts new album after pandemic upends life
Graham Colton figured he was out of the Graham Colton business.
Then, the coronavirus pandemic turned life “Inside Out” — which happens to be the name of the new album the Oklahoma City singer-songwriter never expected to write, record and release.
“I really thought that I would never release another album. ... I've had a lot of fun working on different projects kind of anonymously that have found their way onto television shows and commercials. That's been most of my musical kind of thing for a while,” Colton said.
“I didn't feel like I was ever done being an artist, I just thought I was out of the Graham Colton business. I released some singles and had songs. ... But I didn't feel like I really had anything left to really offer that was exciting. And these songs and this (album), for whatever reason, the silver lining to this process — or one of them — has been that I'm excited.”
Colton's almost accidental album — his first since 2014's “Lonely Ones” — releases Friday on digital platforms.
“I have literally laughed because I've forgotten all of my social media passwords. I didn't know how to log into YouTube. ... What the hell should I be doing for an album release, especially in the middle of a pandemic?” Colton said.
“But I've had more fun, and it was the easiest album I've ever made.”
Other business
In the early 2000s, Colton embarked on a major-label career, made numerous television appearances and shared stages with stars like Kelly Clarkson, Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer.
But his focus has changed since he recorded “The Lonely Ones” back in 2013: He and his wife have welcomed two children and settled in Oklahoma City, and he has become an operating partner with The Social Order Dining Collective, which operates the popular restaurant, bar and music venue The Jones Assembly.
“I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved it — i.e., The Jones and just being involved in the other side of music with concerts. From the day after my senior year of high school to when The Jones really became a reality, it was all day, every day in the Graham Colton business — and I've seen a lot. ... When The Jones came along, it was this breath of fresh air. I got to be around such incredible people that give me this feeling of, `Oh, wow, I think I could be kind of good at this.' ... It made me feel the same way that I used to feel about my music as a solo artist,” Colton said.
“I've never lost the love of music ... but I needed a change.”
Then, the coronavirus pandemic came to town, canceling concerts, forcing The Jones Assembly to shutter for three months and prompting Colton to channel his nervous energies into music.
“There was no doubt that the only thing that I wanted to do in the middle of not knowing what to do was pick up a guitar, play with sounds and write music. Honestly, though, the big difference between this album and every other album that I've done is every other album has been just like a grind.