“Bad Luck” has a humorous, lively edge—what inspired you to take this playful approach to life’s misfortunes?
I’ve always believed that humor is one of the most powerful tools we have for dealing with life’s challenges. We all face our share of bad luck and setbacks, but finding a way to laugh about it can be incredibly freeing. “Bad Luck” is about embracing that perspective—looking at the tough breaks with a smile and refusing to be defeated by them. The character in the song has a lot thrown at him, but he keeps going, and I think that’s something we can all relate to in one way or another. It’s a way of saying, “Yes, things go wrong, but I’m not going to let that stop me from enjoying life.”
How did your collaboration with Ian Sacks, a Talent Is Timeless member, come about, and what was it like working together?
Ian and I connected through the Talent Is Timeless community, which has been an amazing platform for bringing together songwriters from all over the world who are 50 and over. Ian is from Colorado, and he has such a rich life experience that really comes through in his lyrics and melodies. When we started working on “Bad Luck,” it was clear that we both shared a love for storytelling and a sense of humor. Collaborating with him was a joy because we could bounce ideas off each other and find the perfect balance between the playful tone and the deeper meaning behind the song. His creativity and positive energy made the process really enjoyable and fulfilling.
The single blends American folk revival with witty storytelling—how important is humor and resilience in your songwriting?
For me, humor and resilience go hand in hand, especially in songwriting. Folk music, particularly in the American tradition, has a long history of using humor to address difficult subjects and bring people together. It’s a way of saying, “Yes, life can be tough, but we’re in this together, and we can still find joy and connection.” I try to bring that same spirit into my own work. “Bad Luck” is a great example of how we can laugh at life’s absurdities and find strength in that. I want my music to uplift people and remind them that even when things go wrong, we can always choose to see the lighter side and keep moving forward.
You’re known for championing acoustic live-recorded music—what drew you to this approach for “Bad Luck”?
I believe that live-recorded music has a special kind of energy that’s hard to capture any other way. It’s like taking a photograph of a moment in time—everything is real, raw, and immediate. With “Bad Luck,” I wanted that sense of spontaneity and authenticity to come through. The song has a lively, upbeat feel, and recording it live allowed us to capture that energy in a way that feels very true to the story we’re telling. There’s a kind of magic that happens when musicians are playing together in real time, responding to each other and the mood of the moment, and I think you can really hear that in the track.
With “Bad Luck” now out, how do you hope listeners will connect with the track’s mix of upbeat rhythms and light-hearted themes?
I hope listeners find “Bad Luck” to be a reminder that even when things don’t go our way, we have the choice to respond with resilience and humor. The upbeat rhythm and playful lyrics are meant to lift spirits and maybe even provoke a smile or two. I think we all have days—or even years!—when it feels like the universe is conspiring against us. This song is for those moments. I hope it encourages people to laugh, to dance, and to remember that we can always find a way to roll with the punches. It’s about celebrating our ability to keep going and to keep finding joy, no matter what life throws at us.