David Graham’s Downtown: A Journey Through Nashville’s Heart and Soul

David Graham has been a driving force in Nashville’s honky tonk scene for years, carving out a reputation as a relentless performer and authentic storyteller. As the frontman of The Eskimo Brothers, his gritty vocals and high-octane shows have electrified audiences along Lower Broadway’s neon-lit streets. With his new album Downtown, Graham steps forward as a solo artist, delivering a collection of songs that capture the raw spirit and diverse sounds of American roots music—from rollicking barroom anthems to heartfelt ballads.

Recorded in Nashville’s iconic studios with longtime collaborators, Downtown showcases Graham’s ability to fuse country, rock, and blues into a cohesive and compelling whole. The album is as much a tribute to the city that shaped him as it is a personal narrative—rich with stories of life on the road, love, and the ever-changing landscape of Music City. With a release party set for Layla’s this Sunday, Graham is ready to share this next chapter with fans old and new.

LISTEN IN HERE: https://open.spotify.com/album/1FgYOXs03M0VdEnFWvwzgo

You’ve been called the modern-day King of the Honky Tonks—how did your time on Lower Broadway shape the sound and spirit of Downtown?

Lower Broadway is and always will be a part of me, and my music. The grit, the grind, and all the musical inspirations—both old and new. Over the years I’ve managed to carve out my own unique sound, attitude, and reputation in Nashville and on Lower Broadway, and Downtown is an accumulation of all of it.

This record spans a wide spectrum of American roots music. When you set out to make Downtown, did you have a vision for that stylistic variety, or did it evolve naturally?

It evolved naturally. I like records that have a little bit of everything—a record and artist should take you on a ride.

“Big Time Tonight” kicks things off with a real jolt—what’s the story behind that song and how it came together in the studio?

The opening song, “Big Time Tonight,” is a song about life on the road—how most of the day is a grind and then the big payoff is the show.

You recorded Downtown at both the Sound Emporium and The Bomb Shelter. What drew you to those studios, and how did each influence the final sound?

I recorded my second album, Two, at Sound Emporium and just love that historic studio—I knew I wanted to cut a lot of the basic tracks for Downtown there. “Cowboy” Jack Clement’s old studio. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, even Jelly Roll have recorded at that studio.

The second studio I used was called The Bomb Shelter, and that’s a much smaller, down-home-style studio in East Nashville that I just love the vibe of. We did all the overdubs and finished the album there.

The track “Ghost Town” feels cinematic and atmospheric—was that one inspired by a particular story or experience?

Thank you, that’s what I was going for on this track. I originally wrote this song during the pandemic, during the lockdown. It was inspired by some drone footage that I saw of a drone flying through downtown Nashville—not a single person was around. Very bizarre times.

Your live shows have a reputation for being rowdy, magnetic, and high-energy. How do you translate that kind of intensity into a studio recording?

I believe you just have to be authentic. Just crank it up and let it rip.

Having spent so much time touring across the U.S. and even the U.K. and Europe, have you noticed any surprising international reactions to your honky tonk sound?

Yes, international reactions have been amazing and they are very supportive.

Here in America, consumerism runs so rampant and the focus is always on what is hot right this second, that people’s attention spans tend to be very short. In Europe, they seem to have a deeper appreciation.

You’ve played with many of the musicians on this record for years. How important is that kind of musical trust when you’re tracking a new album?

It is very important, especially if you are trying to capture the sound and vibe of your live shows. The guys that help me put on the live shows already have an idea of what I’m trying to portray.

What does the title track, “Downtown,” mean to you personally? Is it a tribute to a place, a feeling, or a moment in time?

The title track, “Downtown,” is personally my favorite song on the album.

Is it about my love affair with downtown Nashville? Is it about a woman? Or perhaps both...

Also, my daughter sings harmony with me on this track, and that makes it very special to me.

With the album out and a release party at Layla’s this weekend, what’s next for you—more touring, more recording, or maybe something unexpected?

I’m always writing and demoing song ideas, but no recording in the near future now that this new album is done.

Now we continue to tour for the rest of the year in support of this record. I have a month-long tour out west in August and a three-week European tour in September.