Southern Soul: Michelle Malone on the Magic Behind her 15th studio album ‘Southern Comfort’

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Michelle Malone is a trailblazer in American roots music, known for her potent mix of rock, blues, folk, and country soul. With over 30 years in the industry, she has earned praise from Rolling Stone for her “soulful ballads and rowdy, riffy blasters” and collaborated with the likes of Gregg Allman, John Mayer, and the Indigo Girls.

A proud Georgia native, Malone’s music is infused with her southern heritage, which she seamlessly channels into her 15th studio album, Southern Comfort . Featuring Southern rock icons like Buddy Miller and Charlie Starr, the album reflects both Malone’s deep roots in the South and her ever-evolving artistry.

Guitar Girl Magazine sat down with Michelle to discuss the making of her latest album, Southern Comfort, her Southern influences, and the contributions of her legendary collaborators.

Photo by Jolie Loren

How did your Southern roots influence the sound and themes of Southern Comfort?

Everything influences everyone, whether they realize it or not. My life, my parents, and their parents before them — my DNA is steeped in southern roots. It’s in my mother’s religious beliefs, the local musicians I grew up hearing, and the vibrant Georgia music scene. I soaked up sounds from local radio stations like WRAS, which played bands like R.E.M. and the B-52’s during the Athens music boom. It’s also in the vivid memories of my childhood, like kids throwing rocks as grenades in Peachtree Creek or those moonlit nights spent in the woods behind the park. The essence of my southern upbringing is in every note I play — whether it’s the way I grew up eating my grandma’s collard greens or hearing Ray Charles’ rhythmic left hand and James Brown’s scream.

You’ve mentioned that the title Southern Comfort isn’t about the drink but about a sense of family and familiarity. How did you capture that in your songwriting?

When you write from the heart — about real feelings, events, and people — it makes it easier for others to connect with the songs. That’s where the warmth and sense of connection come from.

He didn’t just deliver fantastic solos and licks, but he also added a hefty dose of that southern “chunka chunka” us Georgia guitarists grew up on.

This album features contributions from southern rock legends like Doug Kees, Charlie Starr, Buddy Miller, and Rick Richards. How did their involvement shape the sound and energy of Southern Comfort?

Doug Kees and I have been playing together for years, though we’ve known each other and shared bandmates for decades. We both grew up in Georgia and have similar backgrounds and influences. Doug’s been on all my records since 2017, and his easy-going demeanor and versatile playing — from edgy southern rock solos to jazz-influenced dissonant riffs — complement my style perfectly. I love his musical sensibilities and finesse, especially since I’m more of a raw, “search and destroy” type of player.

Charlie Starr brought that extra helping of swagger to the grooves. Down here, we like to call it “ass” because it makes you wanna shake yours. He didn’t just deliver fantastic solos and licks, but he also added a hefty dose of that southern “chunka chunka” us Georgia guitarists grew up on. Rick Richards, on the other hand, brought everything full circle. I grew up watching Rick with Dan Baird and Brendan O’Brien at Monday night gigs at Hedgen’s in Buckhead. Fast forward to Southern Comfort, and having Rick’s slide guitar on my record felt like a dream come true. Nobody kicks live ass like Rick.

Buddy Miller helped me solve a sound issue on “I Choke On My Words.” We were trying to get this ethereal guitar sound and couldn’t quite nail it, so I finally called Buddy. His beautiful melodic part glued it all together.

Then there’s Will Kimbrough — one of the tastiest slide players out there. We were both teaching at the Muse Destination Workshop, and one night, we started trading new songs. I played him “Barbed Wire Kisses,” and when he jumped in on slide, it hit me that he had to be on the record. He played exactly what I heard in my head — magic!

Writing with Dean is effortless — he doesn’t have to work at it anymore; great songs just pour out of him.

You co-wrote several tracks with Dean Dillon, known for his legendary songwriting in country music. What was the collaborative process like, and how did it influence the album?

I was intimidated at first, having never met Dean before and knowing his massive reputation. But as soon as we met, he put me at ease. He actually reminded me of a long-lost Malone relative. After getting acquainted, we went straight to his songwriting den, and we wrote “Choke” in about 30 minutes. I brought in some lyrics I had scribbled on the plane, and suddenly, we had a song. Writing with Dean is effortless — he doesn’t have to work at it anymore; great songs just pour out of him. We recorded five of our co-writes on this record, and his influence is all over Southern Comfort.

“Southern Comfort” is a tribute to your late Drag the River bandmate, Billy Pitts. Can you share the significance of that song and the emotions behind re-recording it?

“Southern Comfort” was written in 1991 with Gary Stier, who was Billy’s roommate. Billy was the glue and the spirit of the band, and he loved that song, even though the record label didn’t get it. We played it at every show, partly because Billy loved it. When I started making the new record, I wanted to record it again in his honor. I searched for the original demo tapes from 1991, but couldn’t find them. So, we re-cut it with musicians who had played with Billy over the years. It felt like a fitting tribute to him, and I think Billy would appreciate the updated version.

You’ve always walked the line between Southern rock and folk music. How does Southern Comfort bring those two worlds together in new ways?

I don’t overthink it. I just write, record, and perform — wash, rinse, repeat. That’s my job, and I do it to the best of my ability with the best people I can find. Music is music to me, and I believe if I enjoy it, others will, too. It’s about feeling, not thinking.

Songs like “One Track Mind” have a distinct Tom Petty vibe and a dancehall energy. Were there any specific influences or moments that inspired these tracks?

“One Track Mind” was Dean’s idea, and we ran with it. I love the simplicity and repetition of it. It’s one of those songs where I just tried to keep up.

How does Southern Comfort fit into the larger musical landscape of Georgia and Southern roots music?

It’s Georgia music, and it sits right there with Blackberry Smoke, the Georgia Satellites, and the Indigo Girls. Georgia music is so deep and wide — it’s not just southern rock or hip-hop or blues, it’s all of that. At the heart of it, Georgia music has a rebellious spirit. We do things our way because we believe in what we’re doing.

Creating itself is inspiring.

After more than three decades in the music industry, what keeps you inspired to create and evolve?

Creating itself is inspiring. Every so often, the creative well springs up in me, and I have to dive in to see what’s there. When I’m not writing, I’m playing, drawing, painting, or reading — all of which feed the creative fire. Meditation helps, too. Everything you need is there; you just have to make yourself available to it.

We’re Guitar Girl Magazine, so we have to ask — what guitars did you use on this record and why?

I used my 1959 Supra Dual Tone through a 50s vintage tweed Fender Vibrolux for slide solos, because it sounds like a freight train. I play 1996/1997 Martin HD-28s for their warm, woody tone, and a ’74 Fender Custom Telecaster for rhythm clarity. I recently acquired a Bedell dreadnought acoustic, which has such a beautiful, even tone that it’s on almost every track. I also used a Taylor 12-string for its joyful jangle.

You’ll be touring a lot in the coming months. What guitars will you bring?

I usually tour as a duo with just my Martin guitars. If I’m flying, I take the Martin that the airlines already broke the neck off of — because what are the chances it will happen again to the same guitar? And if it does, it’s more inconvenient than tragic.

Michelle Malone’s new album Southern Comfort showcases her return to Southern rock with a mix of energetic anthems and heartfelt ballads, highlighting her growth as a performer and songwriter. Collaborating with notable names like Dean Dillon, Eliot Bronson, and Gary Stier, as well as featuring guest appearances from southern music icons such as Charlie Starr and Paul Jackson of Blackberry Smoke, Buddy Miller, Will Kimbrough, and Randall Bramblett, Malone delivers a dynamic and captivating record. Tracks like “I Choke on My Words” and “Barbed Wire Kisses” highlight the album’s range, leaving listeners eager for more.

Southern Comfort tracklist:

1 Southern Comfort
2 Like Mother Like Daughter.
3 I Choke On My Words
4 Simple Life
5 Easter Sunday
6 Believe
7 Undercover Mother
8 I Want to Be in That Picture
9 Barbed Wire Kisses
10 One Track Mind
11 Wine & Regret

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