In this interview, we dive into the creative journey of
singer-songwriter Pam and her upcoming album *Outside the Box*. Pam
shares the inspiration behind her latest single, “Kansas,” set to
release on November 15th, a deeply emotional track born from the need to
escape heartbreak. She also reflects on the playful, energetic vibe of
“Doublewide,” and how it contrasts with the raw vulnerability of
“Kansas.” Throughout the conversation, Pam discusses her unique blend of
genres, dubbed “Pam Music,” and how her new album represents a maturing
sound that pushes beyond traditional boundaries.
Q: Your latest single, “Kansas,” is set to release on November 15th.
It’s such an emotional and vivid track. What was the inspiration behind
the song, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?
A: I wrote this back home in Seabrook, TX, which is on Galveston Bay.
It’s about wanting to escape the painful memories of a break-up by going
to a place that’s basically in the middle of nowhere and no knows you.
I remembered driving through Kansas one time and all I saw were cow
pastures for over a hundred miles, so it fit the bill. It was a place
that was in stark contrast to where I was living.
Q: “Doublewide” has been described as a fun, country-rock-infused song
about new love and the rush of emotions it brings. Can you tell us more
about the creative process behind “Doublewide”? What inspired the
playful energy of the song?
A: I came up with the intro and it took off from there. The lyrics and
melody just rolled out together pretty easy. Once I knew where the song
was going, I kept building on it. Yea, it’s a song about the over
zealous emotions we all go through when we first fall for someone.
Q: Your new album “Outside the Box” is highly anticipated. How does this
project differ from your previous work, and what can fans expect from
this collection of songs?
A: This album differs in the sense that I spent more time with
production and took a different route in mixing. I wanted it to sound
fuller and have more depth to the sound. Marc Frigo from Nashville
reached out to me on Instagram after hearing some off my first album.
Several people had reached out to me, but Marc’s resume really impressed
me. We talked on Zoom and met in Nashville when I went up for some
shows. I knew he was the one I wanted to mix this album. It still has
that Pam Music flavor where there’s more than one genre going on, but
I’ve more going on with background vocals, guitar work, etc. It’s still
Pam Music but I think it sounds more mature.
Q: In “Kansas,” you use imagery like shouting a name in an empty field
to express heartbreak. How important is visual storytelling in your
songwriting, and how do you balance that with the emotional depth of
your music?
A: I think imagery can be a very important tool in songwriting.
Sometimes it’s fun to be vague, but I like to give listeners a good
visual most of the time. I think that’s the country side of my writing
coming out. Rock is more vague while country music is very image
driven. I like to do both but find I lean more towards the imagery.
Kansas is an americana / rock song but I still put a lot of imagery in
it and I really like how it turned out.
Q: “Doublewide” is already making waves since its release in August.
What has the fan response been like so far, and how do you feel about
how the song is resonating with your audience?
A: “Doublewide” was popular before I recorded it. People would request
it when I played out. I knew it had to be on this album. The response
has been good, especially for the video.
Q: You’ve blended genres like rock, Americana, and country to create
that you call “Pam Music.” How does this signature style shine through
on your upcoming album, “Outside the Box”?
A: That’s the whole meaning behind the album’s title. My music is
outside the box. I don’t fit into one genre. This album is definitely
another representation of that. It’s got everything from americana,
country, pop/rock, folkish flair, to straight up rock ‘n roll. I listen
to different styles of music and that comes out when I write.
Q: You’ve shared that your goal with your music is to make people feel
something, whether that’s joy, sadness, or empowerment. How do you
approach songwriting to evoke such a broad range of emotions?
A: Imagery is one approach. Just like in Kanas where I sing, “I let the
crumbled words fall from hands and watched the waves take them away”.
People see exactly what is going on. They see the note, the waves
carrying it away and can relate to the emotions the character is going
through. The unfolding scene is vivid.
Q: With “Kansas” being such a deeply emotional song and “Doublewide”
bringing a more upbeat, carefree vibe, what’s the overarching theme of
“Outside the Box’? How do these different emotions and stories fit
together in the album?
A: It’s a roller coaster ride. Like all of my albums, I wanted each song
to have its own identity and vibe. As I said before, I don’t write
songs in one particular genre, and I’m always being asked where I see
myself fitting into the musical world. Me and my music are outside the
box. You’re going to hear the contrast, and I like it that way. I
think it’s boring when you listen to an album, and it all sounds the
same. That’s never going to happen when you listen to one of my albums.
For more info about Pam Ross, please visit www.pamrossmusic.com