Sometimes it takes life experience and the lessons garnered through time to write and record a debut solo album. Just ask Southern, CA-based singer-songwriter, Clayton Chaney, who has just released his first full-length, a new Americana album entitled “Too Far.” Full of mid-life questions and answers, the collection explores the mind of someone who has come to the realization that living in the now and looking ahead to the future is better than dwelling too much in the past. Rich instrumentation and Chaney’s comfortable and conversational vocals blend to make for a perfect combination. We sat down with Chaney recently to talk all things “Too Far.”
Hi, Clayton! You have an amazing new album that just came out in February called “Too Far.” Please tell us about the album in a big picture sort of way.
The big picture of the album is really just songs I’ve collected over the years. I wasn’t initially focused on writing an album, but more so just writing songs as life happened. The thought of making an album didn’t seriously occur until a very generous friend offered to fund an artistic project for me. The gift was totally unexpected and felt like a divine appointment. As I looked at the songs I had collected over the years, they all seemed to deal with ideas of recognizing patterns in life, attempting to stop the destructive ones, and allow the positive patterns to restore. Part of that is just paying enough attention as you age to sit down to write and reflect on what’s going on in life. I wrote the title track, “Too Far,” a couple months before going into the studio to track the album. I felt like it tied the threads of the other songs together. While it’s a sad song, it offers some hope and serves as a reminder to stay grounded in the present.
One of the songs on your new album, “Can’t Turn It Back,” is wonderful and stood out to me. What can you tell us about that song? What inspired you to write this song?
By the time I hit my mid-30s, life felt like it was moving incredibly fast. And now that I’m a father pushing 40, it continues to speed up, and I’m doing everything I can to make it move as slowly as possible. I had originally wanted to call the song “Time Moves Faster Now,” but I just couldn’t fit that phase into a chorus. I was struck by how the law of supply and demand applies to time. When we are young and have a lot of time, it feels like we want it to speed up so we can get on to the next thing. As we get older and we have less time, we realize how precious it is. I began to notice that my desire to go back to “the good ole days” was getting stronger than my outlook on the future. While trips down memory lane can be nice, going down that road too many times can get us stuck in a rut. While the song is very nostalgic, I wrote it to help myself have a positive outlook on the future and consider that I will soon look back on the present as “the good ole days.”
What was it like recording this album? Any great studio stories? Who played on the album with you?
I think we did eight songs in five or six days at Big Ego Studios in Long Beach, CA. We did the best we could to get the rhythm tracks in the same take in the same room, then added lead parts and vocals later. We recorded the title track, “Too Far,” at William Caleb Parker’s home studio after our main session. I had really great players and producers who wear multiple hats and play multiple instruments, so I typically give them the bones of the songs and say yes to most of their ideas. William Caleb Parker co-produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered it, and played some guitar and sang harmonies. Kevin Brown co-produced and played drums/percussion. Philip Glenn co-produced and played piano, organ, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, and sang harmonies. Henry Sim played bass and baritone guitars. Stephen Musselman played guitars, pedal steel, lap steel, and dobro. Leeann Skoda sang harmonies. Ross Garren played harmonica. I wish I had good studio stories, but good stories typically come from conflict and things going wrong. The players and producers are pros, so things went pretty smoothly. I’ve just been very slow at releasing it.
What do you hope this album’s message is to those who listen to it?
I hope that listeners allow themselves to stay present in the present, avoid getting stuck in the past, and feel hopeful for the future.
The album title… how did you choose it? What does it mean to you?
I chose “Too Far” as the title track because it was a song that came to me quickly. It was one of those special ones that felt like it came from somewhere else, from someone else. There was no workshopping it or heavy rewriting. The way it sounded when I first wrote it is very close to how it ended up on the album. I had found myself striving to be somewhere else or even be someone else. Some of that striving was the desire for improvement, but more of it was just generally being discontent. That song and the album are really just my journey trying to be content with where I am and who I am.
How do you feel you’ve changed as an artist/writer/creative person over the years?
When I was writing when I was younger, I really wanted my songs to take off and make money and change my life. There’s not really an expectation for music to do that for me now. My life is pretty good how it is. There’s a hope that my songs will provide for me, but the pressure is off now.
Are there any artists who inspired what you did on this album, be it lyrically, musically, or both?
Dawes, Jonny Fritz, and John Moreland have been on the top of the list for inspiration for a long time. Recently, I’ve been inspired by Petey USA. I’m pretty different from him musically, but I feel like he is a master of processing middle-aged angst, and I can relate.
How does it feel to be releasing this album into the world for all to hear?
I feel proud of myself for finally having my first full-length album as a solo artist. At the same time, I’m not putting much pressure on the release. Just hoping it can shine a little light. I’ll be happy with it regardless of how it is received.
What has been the most exciting thing to happen for you in the past year? What are you most looking forward to in 2026?
It has been exciting this past year to work with Rock Ridge Music on the release. This is my first time working with a label, and I’ve been happy with the attention they have given to the album. I got to play some fun shows last year at Hotel Cafe and Pappy and Harriet’s also. I feel like I’m finally comfortable playing without a full band supporting me. I’m looking forward to playing more in 2026.
Got any confirmed tour plans? Where can fans see you on the road?
I don’t have anything I can announce right now, but I’m working on a partnership with a house show network. Small, intimate shows are my favorite!
