Drive-By Truckers fans know the sight of pure joy, because it’s written all over the face of bassist Matt Patton. There’s a contagious energy to his playing, even when the Southern rock standard-bearing group’s lyrical themes are at their heaviest, reminding us that live music is one of the most joyous pursuits humans have managed to devise.
“Anyone who has seen the Truckers before can tell how much he loves it by his smile,” says Jay Leavitt, owner of the Deep Groove record store and longtime friend of Drive-By Truckers singer and songwriter Patterson Hood. “There’s nothing like that smile when [Patton is] playing. When they’re at their best, to me, it’s like there’s not even an audience … They’re playing for each other and off of each other, and those are the best shows.”
But the Truckers aren’t Patton’s only source of musical enjoyment. He also fronts garage rock band Model Citizen and operates the Water Valley, Mississippi-based label, Dial Back Sound. At the same time that Brown’s Island is being prepped for this Friday’s Drive-By Truckers headlining set (April 28), Patton will set up shop at Deep Groove for an event he’s calling “Let’s Talk Records!” From 1 to 2 p.m., he’ll have a selection of Dial Back releases on offer — a unique opportunity given that Leavitt describes the Dial Back pressings as “limited-run” offerings that can’t be obtained through regular distribution channels.
Recent Dial Back highlights include albums from storied singer-songwriter Jerry Joseph, from genre-busting string band, the Snarlin’ Yarns, and from Patton’s own Model Citizen, which also features Drive-By Truckers bandmate Jay Gonzales. And since it’s Deep Groove, you can bet there will be ample Truckers discs close by, in case you’re looking for a last-minute spin ahead of the evening’s entertainment.
Chances are Matt Patton will flash a smile either way.
“Let’s Talk Records!” will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 28 at Deep Groove Records. For more information on Dial Back Sound’s roster and releases, visit linktr.ee/Dialbacksound.
