With the new album Livin’ In a Bitch of a World there’s an unquestionable sense that 7Horse has come into their own. It features thrilling tales of grifters, gun owners and drug runners, as powerful as any in hardboiled fiction, and punctuated perfectly by doomy drumming, vicious strumming and lacerating slide-guitar playing. With their classic song Meth Lab Zoso Sticker featuring the world famous 2013 Wolf of Wolf Street film, 7 horse have increased popularity and have really come into their own genre. The two men who make up this bluesy, kick-ass crew, are guitarist/singer Joie Calio and singer/drummer Phil Leavitt. The duo’s well-versed with roots in rock ‘n’ roll’s rich past and previous success with both solo and collaborative projects have catapulted 7Horse to noteworthy status. You can check out Two-Stroke Machine, from their latest album below!
We managed to catch up with 7Horse for an interview about their latest album, that song from The Wolf of Wall Street, fans and more!
How has the release of Livin’ In a Bitch of a World been?
Since the release of our 3rd record Livin’ in a Bitch of a World- 7Horse has done a few tours, an east coast run headlining in clubs on our own from NYC to Mobile AL, and a short run with James Durbin as well as a couple one offs. We love to tour so it’s never enough- I’d love to be out about 200+ days a year. We’re getting ready to go out with Canadian rockers The Trews right now which should be great. Our fans have really latched on to the new songs; it feels like this record is a natural progression musically, I think the fans agree.
What was your inspiration for the title and album in general?
Phil was inspired by the Wayne Cochran LP from the 70’s with a similar title- which is why we acknowledge him on our record. We wrote the title song and after compiling all the tracks that made the final cut for the record we noticed a theme running through it. We are definitely living in a bitch of a world! It just seemed to fit. As far as inspiration for all our songs we are influenced by the world around us, home life, road life, past and present. I know Phil has really been successful by just letting what goes on right in front him on a day to day basis come out in his lyrics. A lot or of times he’ll write a bunch of lines and send them to me via iPhone. I usually get an idea for the music right away. Other times we write in real time and just let the universe throw lines into our heads. Those are good days!
What has been your proudest moment since forming in 2011?
I’m gonna have to go with watching the first showing in the theaters of The Wolf of Wall Street on Christmas morning- drinking a bottle of champagne that I smuggled in. Big day!
Was you shock with the response of your song Math Lab Zoso?
Well Meth Lab Zoso Sticker didn’t really take off until it got in the Scorsese film. The whole process of the song getting into the movie, various trailers, and on the soundtrack was nerve wracking at first because we weren’t ever sure it was a done deal until very near its release date, then all was completely blissful once it came together. For us it’s about the greatest thing that could have happened. It’s the gift that just keeps giving and we are so honoured to have been a part of such a cool movie by such a great director. Awesome.
How privileged were you for you song to feature on the Wolf of Wall Street Film?
As I said it was an amazing get for us. I will say that the actual moment we found out, we were at an airport. My brother texted me he had just seen the trailer for The Wolf of Wall Street online. When I told Phil, his crushing hangover (acquired from the night before- celebrating after finishing the recording of our 2nd record) had magically disappeared into thin air. That’s the power of Scorsese.
What back background have you both in music before 7 horse?
We are both life-long musicians who never had a plan-b in life. Music was it, pure and simple. Phil and I met via a mutual friend in Los Angeles when the band I had started needed a drummer desperately. That band, dada (just a duo at the time), then became a trio- alternative rock/power pop kind of thing. We went on to put out 7 records and tour North America and the EU with the likes of Sting, Depeche Mode, and Crowded House. It became obvious to Phil and I that we wanted to do more, we wanted to go down a different musical avenue and get back to our musical roots. Back to the roots of rock ‘n roll. That’s when we started to write and record as a duo which became 7Horse.
How much does your fans mean to you?
Sometimes fans can say and do crazy things that’s for sure. The weirdest thing said to me would probably be someone who claimed she was my sister- separated at birth. Hmmm. I’ve been given all sorts of cool/odd/weird gifts(?) over the years. A matchbox of very long painted real fingernails is up there. Teeth. I’ve gotten all the usual things- various clothing items, jewelry, phone numbers, drugs, voodoo dolls. The best is when I get really expensive bottles of red wine!
Are you looking forward to your tour October?
Yes! Looking forward to getting back to the east coast. The Trews seem like a good fit for 7Horse.
Is there plans on a new album any time soon?
I know Phil has already started putting lyrics together and I have been compiling riffs and musical ideas so yes we are already looking to the next record. I love the process from start to finish. Hey hey my my, rock ‘n roll can never die.
