Here’s our interview with the Americana band, The Young Fables. With Laurel’s powerhouse vocals, Wes’s smooth electric guitar lines, and the band’s amazing songwriting chops you’ll be hooked instantly. Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford live in Nashville, but are originally from Maryville, TN. With 3 full length albums under their belt, their sound is a blend of Classic Country and Americana. With praises sung from the likes of Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, and Travis Tritt, it is evident after listening to songs like “Drive”, “She Was Mine”,”Daddy’s Girl”, and their latest release “Fighter”, what the “buzz” is all about.

The Young Fables/ Laurel Wright/ Wes Lunsford

Where did you grow up and where do you call home now?

We both grew up in East Tennessee in a town called Maryville! We didn’t know each other while living there until right up until we moved to Nashville, TN in 2014. We’ve been here ever since!

“I just wanna drive. Leave it all behind.

I don’t care where I’m gonna go, as long as I got four wheels and a radio.

Oh, can’t see what I’ve been through, because I ripped off the reaview.

Finally feel alive. Damn, I just wanna drive.”

from the song “Drive” by The Young Fables

How have the life experiences of where you lived affected your songwriting or the songs you choose to record?

Laurel: I grew up listening to country music and that influenced my writing and still does. Now that I’ve been performing with Wes, I’ve been able to travel and see different parts of the country and that has really inspired my songwriting in many different ways. Wesley’s knowledge of music has expanded my repertoire, as well!

Wes: Growing up in East TN it would make sense to say I was surrounded by country music, but as a kid I grew up listening to everything but that for some reason haha. There is a great music scene of any kind of music over there! I grew up loving rock and punk and heavy metal and then when I turned 18 I got really into jazz and fusion and it wasn’t until I was playing in China performing jazz and R&B, when for some reason I go hooked on country and decided to come back to TN. Sometimes you gotta take the long road around.

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“I can’t stand cigarettes and I hate the cold, but I’m freezing on the front porch because that’s where Daddy smokes”

from Daddy’s Girl by The Young Fables

What artists/songwriters have impacted or influenced your work the most?

Wes: I was thinking about this question the other day and while there are TONs of artists and guitarists I adore. I think that 3 moments in my life were hit the hardest. When I was a teenager hearing David Gilmour’s guitar on the Pink Floyd song “Time” was one. Then. When I turned 18 and hearing George Benson for the first time changed my world, and then when I heard Glen Campbell’s guitar solo on Galveston at Live at Sioux Falls I fell in love with country music.

Laurel: Before I ever learned to play the acoustic guitar, my parents bought me a karaoke machine and my go to song was (and still is) Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”. She has been such a huge influence in my career along with people like Kacey Musgraves, Al Green, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and Madi Diaz.

When you perform, what do you hope is your audience’s biggest takeaway?

We hope that people enjoy the music but more than that we hope that people leave the show feeling less alone. Over the years we have used our platform to raise awareness for something bigger than us and that has given us purpose in using our gifts.

Tell me a little bit about your latest project?

“Short Stories” is our fourth record as The Young Fables. This series of songs is a little different from the past albums. Three separate producers worked on this project with us and we tracked the songs as we wrote them so we could be fully immersed in the process.

What was different or unique about your approach to this last project as compared to previous ones?

With working with different producers, we picked 3 amazing people to work on this record and they all had their own visions. Between us and the producer we collectively played all the instruments (with a few very talented and notable exceptions) which made each song come to life in its own unique way.

Was there ever a time you felt like you wanted to quit making music?

Laurel: Music has been my dearest friend through my happy and dark times. I’ve never been able to let it go and I never see that trajectory changing for me. Wes: Ever since I was a small kid I’ve been obsessed with music. I’ve never really wanted to do anything else but there have been some hard times to get through for sure. There was one time when I was putting a band together for a tour and the pressure of everything and all the personalities and so much weight that I felt on my shoulders did make me question it for sure but that tour was one of the greatest experiences of my life so I felt like no matter what this is the right path!

What is your funniest or favorite “on the road” story when touring?

We were doing a tour around Ohio and Michigan and around and we had left Nashville. We had driven 6 hours were five minutes from the first show when Laurel got a call from a booker in Nashville from a place we played the night before. He said, “Hey did you leave your guitar here?” and Laurel said, “No way, I’m looking at my case right now, I have it with me.” Then she opened the case and it was completely EMPTY! So we had to call around and bum guitars throughout the tour. The best part is that toward the end of the trip a guitar maker brought her a few different guitars to borrow and try for a show and she loved them so much he is the person she had build her a custom guitar.

Listen to The Young Fable’s music and other Artists You Should Know below on the AmericanaMusic.com Playlist

Who or what keeps you grounded the most?

Wes: Laurel for sure! I wouldn’t be able to do everything we do without her. She helps bring out my confidence and ambition and she helps me fight off my imposter syndrome when it creeps in. I think thats why we work and write so well together because we have such different strengths and weaknesses that help support each other.

Laurel: Being grounded is really difficult for me but doing life with Wesley and being able to consistently feel safe has really improved my life overall and in my artistry. His love for me shows up and manifests in so many ways that I’m forever grateful for.

What advice would you give artists just starting out?

We always talk about how hard work will always trump talent. You could be the best at your instrument or singing or write the greatest songs but what really is gonna help you succeed is your ability to self motivate and put in the hard work. Success means something different to everyone and its up to you to try and see that through.