The Word

The term ‘supergroup’ is often associated with short-lived, usually temporary collaborations in the rock and pop scenes, but The Word are none of these. Their take on instrumental gospel sounds and collaborations that began over 15 years ago sets them apart from run-of-the-mill supergroups. Where some bands might recoil at the prospect of being seen as a supergroup, pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph – also the frontman of Robert Randolph and The Family Band – views the title in a different light.

“It’s cool being called a supergroup because everybody in the band is a super musician,” he says. “When you get the chance to put all of these guys from different bands into one band and then into the same room where everyone can share all of their experiences, it becomes a magical kind of music. New creative energy comes out and everybody has so many more ideas. There’s influences of gospel, rock’n’roll, old blues and new blues when we get into the studio. It’s so much fun, and so spontaneous.”

Randolph is joined onstage by John Medeski (keyboard), along with all three members of the North Mississippi Allstars, to play a brand of improv gospel music known as ‘sacred steel’.

“It’s a style of music – anyone familiar with the Buena Vista Social Club, they’re basically what sacred steel is,” Randolph explains. “The Pentecostal Church is an organisation that goes back to the 1920s in America, and I grew up watching all of my sacred steel forefathers in that church, wanting to be like those guys.

“At the same time, a lot of other guitar players have been influential on my style, from Jack White to Derek Trucks to Eric Clapton and Santana, so I’ve also had some contemporary influences, and that’s the great thing about music – it’s always ongoing, and there will always be new influences.”

The Word’s second album Soul Food is only their second release in 14 years, with the follow-up well seasoned in comparison to their self-titled debut. The band is tighter, and each musician has somehow managed to play their instruments harder and better.

“Years passed and we had talked about doing so many different things, writing and recording, and it all just finally came together naturally,” says Randolph. “We felt like the time was right and it happened quite organically, and it was great, because years go by and we had let all of these different influences come by and sink in, and things kind of came full circle. As we listened to the first record we made, we were telling stories and re-educating everybody on what it means to be The Word. It was this new, sort of old energy, which was really fun.”

With such a busy, diverse and talented bunch of musicians collaborating on the one project, one might think the recording process would be somewhat difficult to orchestrate, but Randolph is cheerfully positive about what goes on behind the scenes.

“I think in years past we used to say it was hard, but now we’ve gotten back on task, it’s become really easy. It’s become quite simple to just get into the studio and hit ‘record’. The advantage of today is that we can send each other music and ideas online, so by the time we all get into the studio, we’re ready to plug in and go for it.”

Randolph tours with a number of specialty pedal steel guitars – he is, after all, a latter-day pioneer of the instrument. When The Word are in Australia for Bluesfest early next year, he won’t be travelling with his US roadies, and is instead looking for an Australian crew to take care of his catalogue of rare, custom-made instruments. “I’ve got an acoustic pedal steel guitar and a stand-up pedal steel guitar – actually, I’ve got to so many types of guitars now, it’s added a whole lot to the show and the vibe of what we do.”

There’s something refreshing about a person who backs themselves and their band in a manner that doesn’t ooze arrogance and superiority, and the fact Randolph’s excitement to tour Australia is palpable over the phone just makes the guy even more likeable.

“Yeah, it’s going to be awesome. I can’t wait – I love Bluesfest. It’s such a great festival. We’ve been talking about it ever since we heard that we were coming back to Australia, and I can’t wait to be there. It’s so much fun to spend a couple of days in Byron Bay; you’re right on the beach, you get to play twice and it’s such a great vibe.

“I’ve been to Australia twice before with Robert Randolph and The Family Band, but not as The Word, so this will be awesome. Australia is one of my favourite places, and I’m not just saying that – I even told a promoter last time, ‘I’d like to come here every year if I can.’”