Toronto-Born, Nashville-Based Folk & Soul Artist Oliver Pigott Shares Heartfelt Reflections in “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me”
Toronto-born, Nashville-based folk and soul artist Oliver Pigott takes listeners on a journey of self-reflection in his first US single, “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me,” released on October 20. Drawing from his personal life and journeyman experience, Oliver Pigott has penned an Americana-inspired song that transcends genres, offering listeners a soulful journey through life’s trials and triumphs. The lyrics, which speak to the importance of fatherhood, resilience, and the light within, resonate with authenticity and universal themes.
Oliver Pigott shared his insights about the song, saying,
“The first song I wrote on American soil was ‘Eyes My Daddy Gave Me.’ As a new father of twin sons, I was aware of the responsibility that lay before me to guide them and lead the way.”
This sentiment forms the emotional core of the song, making it a touching tribute to the transformative power of fatherhood.
The song’s genesis was particularly poignant for Pigott.
“Having lost my father to cancer when I was eight, music was my way of remaining connected to his musical spirit,” he revealed. It was in a quiet moment of reflection that the idea for the song emerged. “Sharing what I had with my wife, she encouraged me to highlight the line ‘Eyes My Daddy Gave Me.’ Within thirty minutes, the song emerged,” he added.
With its passionate lyrics, soulful melodies, and Oliver Pigott’s captivating vocals, “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me” is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene.
Care to introduce yourself?
I’m a Canadian singer/songwriter, now based in Nashville. I’ve had many musical incarnations. My current work draws inspiration from the likes of
Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Fleet Foxes, and Ray Lamontagne. I’m excited to have just put out “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me”, my first American release!
Tell us about the process of recording “Eyes My Daddy Gave Me”?
I invited my new best buddy in Nashville, Mr. Devon McPherson, to join me on guitar and backing vocals. We rehearsed diligently, again taking inspiration from Jim Croce and his backing guitarist Maury Muehleisen. I have been called “the modern-day Jim Croce” countless times since moving to Nashville and it felt affirming to be moving in this direction. Interestingly, Devon spends every summer in a family cottage home in Nova Scotia by the ocean. He recorded his parts at a little studio in town and sent the stems to us in Nashville.
In the end, my first song in America was recorded in both Canada and the US. My producer Clarence Jey suggested adding an accordion and violin to the mix. We both shared a special connection to the instruments in our youth, Clarence having lost his childhood accordion to a fire in the midst of civil war in his country and I having lost my father in my youth. The loss transplanted my family to an ocean-side village in Portugal where I was often surrounded by street performers playing accordions and fiddles. We found connection in our stories of resilience and this in turn informed our choices in the production.
Clarence then suggested Chris Powell and Brian Allen on drums and bass. Both players recently played on Baz Lutherman’s Elvis movie soundtrack and they brought a dynamic driving energy to the track.
The fiddle was played by two-time Grammy-nominated Christian Seldemeyer of the Jerry Douglas Band. Serendipitously, I was connected to Christian by a friend and supporter from the PA town in which I wrote the song. The violin added a beautiful folky sound to the Americana atmosphere of the track.
Clarence crafted an incredible edit that captured the sincerity of the message. He then put it in the capable hands of two-time Grammy-winning mixing Engineer Brandon Bell, who crafted an exquisite mix. Brandon brought an emotion and excitement with his shaping of the soundscape, unlike I had ever experienced in my career thus far. Brandon Bell’s credits include Brandi Carlile, Miranda Lambert, Brandy Clark, Zac Brown Band, Paul McCartney, and Joni Mitchell).
The song was then mastered by Pete Lyman at Infrasonic in Nashville, TN. Eyes My Daddy Gave Me was a deeply collaborative endeavor, with each evolution of the process bringing us closer to the song’s essence.
Eyes My Daddy Gave Me” is a heartfelt confession of a compassionate, honest soul, set to incredible music, that transcends any boundaries of genre or region. If one regards music to be about relatability and holding up a mirror to the journeys and events of our lives with a candle of hope, this record about one’s father could just be the pinnacle of that.” – Producer Clarence Jey
What’s it like being a musician in Nashville, coming from Toronto?
It’s nice to come to a high-stakes place like Nashville as a seasoned musician who cut my chops elsewhere. Toronto was a great city for me to woodshed and hone my craft.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
I’ve always loved Leonard Cohen’s work and I am a big Arcade Fire fan.
You’ve been making music for a bit of time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Review your work regularly, whether that means watching a filmed performance or listening to a recording of yourself. Commit to honestly assessing areas that might need improvement and always maintain a vigilant attitude in the interests of cultivating your full musical potential.