Wayne Sutton, former lead guitarist and co-songwriter of the ’90s band Sister Seven, has embarked on a new chapter in his musical journey with the release of his solo album “Blue Worm.” This marks his third solo effort and first in nearly 15 years. Reflecting on his extensive career, Sutton states, “I spent a lot of years flying by the seat of my pants musically,” adding that burnout from the business side led him to rediscover his passion for creating music. He emphasizes that honesty is key to finding one’s voice.
The year 2020 initially seemed promising for Sutton, as he reunited with Sister Seven’s Patrice Pike for their album “Heart Is A Compass” and performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. However, the pandemic forced them to cancel an international tour that included performances at SXSW and Lollapalooza South America. Despite these setbacks, Sutton found creative freedom during the shutdown. “I suddenly didn’t have hundreds of shows to play or appointments to keep and started writing again,” he explains. The majority of “Blue Worm” was written between March and May 2020, driven by emotions spurred by the global situation.
The album was recorded in a unique setting—a 1914 wood-and-adobe church in Terlingua, Texas—over four days in July. Co-produced by Sutton and award-winning engineer Bill Palmer, the recording process was described as a mystical experience. “We’d throw open the windows, record into the evening, spend the night under the full moon and bathe in the Rio Grande,” says Sutton.
“Blue Worm” features 11 tracks that capture the essence of these unprecedented times. Songs like “Tone Deaf” and “Whiplash” reflect pensive and ominous tones respectively, while autobiographical tracks such as “I Can’t Sleep Through The Night” and “Cecilia” blend vulnerability with strength. Sutton notes his intention to create a mostly acoustic record that focuses on lyrics: “You can sit around for hours talking about the state of the world, but sometimes you say it best in a song.”
Ultimately, “Blue Worm” stands as a testament to Sutton’s enduring optimism and hope as an artist. He believes that nurturing one’s creative self allows for continued growth regardless of age or external challenges. Summarizing his latest work, Sutton concludes, “In the end, I just wanted this album to sound like who I am. I think it’s the most honest music I’ve ever made.”
