Majors Junction
Rich textures created by the band have been described as “Plush Lonesome Western Blues”. Attracting a listener base whose musical taste transcends different genres, Majors Junction produces a diverse meld of country honky-tonk blues with folk undertones and hints of bluegrass pickin' and good old rock & roll. It is a unique sound that celebrates individuality and hard work, two qualities the band shares with its hometown of Chicago.
The band came onto the scene in 2003 with their debut release "A Desert Oasis". Local garnered praise has propelled the group to bigger gigs and a growing fan base.
Their latest release "Confluence" has been receiving rave reviews from the US and abroad. Providing upbeat rockers and smooth ballads the album shows off the songwriting and performance abilities that puts this band at the forefront of the Americana scene.
The husband and wife duo of Mike Mulcahy and Heather O'Brien provide the upfront harmonies that give the band a rich sound. Mulcahy writes the majority of songs for the band and is a graduate of the University of Iowa School of English. Moving from the serious to the satirical he provides a scope for the listener but will not disavow the intelligence of his audience. Other members of the band include multi-instrumentalist Michael Scott Duplessis whose tasteful playing transcends the guitar, piano and bass and Colin Williams who drives the beats on the drums and other percussive instruments. Colin also co-produced “Confluence“ with Mulcahy and has been with the band since its conception back in 2002.
Beyond the core of Majors Junction there is a family of musicians throughout Chicago that joins the band regularly to satiate any Americana palate. Upright bass player Roger Sherman, pedal steel ace Brian Wilkie, fiddle player Allie Kral and slide guitar player John Hasbrouck are just a few of the musicians that join the band live and in studio.
Majors Junction can be regularly seen and heard at Chicago clubs like Martyrs’, The House of Blues and The Hideout, and also perform at festivals like the Taste of Chicago and the Greeley Stampede in Colorado.
The new album "Confluence" melds together a pleasurable roots experience exploring some beautiful instrumentation ranging from mandolin, fiddle, pedal steel to horns, harmonica, piano, B3 and plenty of guitars and vocal harmonies. It is a musical treat that is leaving listeners awaiting the release of the bands third album expected soon.
Maplewood
Rising up on a breeze of three-part harmonies and twelve-string acoustic guitars comes Maplewood, evoking a joyride up the Pacific Coast Highway. Like the scent of night jasmine in bloom, the Maplewood sound wafts from the canyons to the beaches and out into the desert, an ode to a Californian ideal mapped out by such precursors as America, Bread, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Gene Clark, 70s Beach Boys, late-period Byrds, The Stone Canyon Band, John Phillips, Neil Young, Hearts and Flowers, and even CSNY. Maplewood are one toke away from the cosmos, the press says, and harbingers of a movement already afoot. For the four dudes who make up Maplewood, lost gems like "Ventura Highway" and "Make It With You" evolved from guilty pleasure to buried treasure: In such castoff anthems of mellowness, Maplewood managed to find improbable inspiration. Call it canyon rock, call it breezy, call it desperado dust. Maplewood is like a desert sunrise, like a dappled afternoon up in the orange groves, like a moon-lit walk on the beach and a swig of dandelion wine with the one you love the most.
Maplewood is Mark Rozzo, Steve Koester, Craig Schoen & Ira Elliot.
Mark Boulle
Mark Boulle is a prolific Australian singer songwriter and musician. Born in Durban, South Africa he moved to Australia as a child. He began writing music in 2000 while living in Japan. In 2005 he founded his band the ‘Haba Dudes’ on the Gold Coast.
In 2007, after a string of demos and EPs in previous years, Mark released his debut full length album, “All the Leaves are Falling Down”. The album was self funded, recorded and produced at his home studio on the Gold Coast Hinterland. The album features Haba Dudes violinist, Elodie Mayberry, and bassist Daren Williams. It has been described as “…fresh, new and unadulterated. Finally an original artist to take over from the two Bob’s, Dylan and Marley.”
His second full length album followed shortly after “Shoot to Kill”. This is the long awaited full length studio album recorded with his band the Haba Dudes. The album touches more political and socially conscious themes and features a host of guest musicians.
Mark and the Haba Dudes have just finished recording a third album. He says of the new songs, “They are in a slightly different direction to the last album…(the) songwriting is more refined now and the songs more accessible, more upbeat, you might be able to add the word ‘Pop’ to Indie, Folk and Roots.”
Mark Davis
Mark Davis is an original roots-rock musician from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His music blends folk and country styles and instrumentation with rock and roll forms and modern effects. An experienced musician who draws inspiration from countless diverse sources, Mark is known for his varying musical personas, broad repertoire and poetic lyricism.
An avid music fan since childhood, Mark has been an active participant in Alberta’s music community for over seventeen years as a recording and performing musician, a retailer, promoter, student and instructor. He is a co-founder of the critically lauded band Old Reliable (originally Mark Davis and Old Reliable), a fixture on the Canadian scene for over eleven years. Mark has been performing an increasing number of concerts, both solo and with backing band The Young Bucks, his often quieter compositions acting as a counterpoint to the occasionally harder-edge sound of Old Reliable.
In the spring of 2007, Mark released two albums on the Saved By Radio label to launch his solo career. “Don’t You Think We Should Be Closer?” was recorded over a two-year period at Riverdale Recorders in Edmonton, while a three-day recording session in Calgary in 2006 produced “Mistakes I Meant To Make”. The dual releases received strong airplay and press reaction across Canada, as well as in select markets in the United States and Europe. “Mistakes I Meant To Make” spent two weeks as the number one album in the Canadian campus/community radio Top 10 folk/roots/blues recordings in the spring of 2007. In addition, in over a dozen years with Old Reliable, Mark has recorded four CDs (the latest, “The Burning Truth”, was released in March 2005), appeared on numerous compilations, and traveled throughout Canada and the United States.
After co-managing a music retailer for five years, Mark founded Edmonton’s premier independent music retailer, Blackbyrd Myoozik, which he co-owned and operated for seven years. Also an aspiring music therapist who has completed an introductory class in music therapy, Mark is employed by the Robin Hood Association where he conducts a music appreciation module for a group of adults with varying developmental disabilities. Moreover, Mark has recently begun teaching guitar lessons to beginners and continues himself to take lessons from established Edmonton instructors.
Mark Lennon
Mark Lennon has been singing professionally since the age of 14. One of the lead singers in the band "Venice" (with his cousins and brother), he has been recording albums since 1990, both with "Venice", and as a solo artist.
The youngest of 13 children, Mark is one of the many cousins of the famous "Lennon Sisters" (Lawrence Welk Show) and he has learned from them, and all of his other musical influences, the ability to find and sing a variety of harmonies without any difficulty. This makes him extremely able to vocalize in a style that reflects such artists as Prince, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson, George Michael, and kd Lang . When singing ballads, Mark's emotions shine with heart and soul, many times moving the audience to tears.
Mark is third generation Venice California. His music and voice quality both exude that California beach sound, similar to that of the Beach Boys, Eagles and Crosby Stills & Nash. Celebrities such as Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, David Crosby and Graham Nash have come to see Mark's performances as well as sit in on them. Mark also sang backgrounds for Cher for two years and toured with Phil Collins. Mark has done session work for Don Henley, Billy Bob Thornton and hundreds of others.
Another of Mark's many qualities is his dancing ability. Without ever taking a dance class, Mark exudes his sexuality and honesty through his body movement with the music. His fluidness and timing are similar to Prince, Michael and Janet Jackson , and Jamiroquai, but he is still able to keep a rock and roll edge to it.
Mark's solo Christmas album "Christmas in the Groove" is a funky R&B Christmas album chalk full of 3 and 4 part harmonies done by Mark Lennon himself with a bit of Hip Hop flare that you can definitely groove to.
Mark sang Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" as the end credits roll in the movie Boxing Helena starring Julian Sands and Sherilyn Fenn, as well as ‘Route 66’ in the movie "Nothing to Lose" starring Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence. Mark's voice can also be found on many Disney soundtracks and throughout the many Disney theme parks.
Mark, along with Brad Chiet, was the Grand Prize Winner in the County category of the 2002 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, for their song "Love Carries On".
In February of 2003, Mark wrote, starred in, and directed a music video for the band "Venice" for his song "Blue Paint", overseeing all aspects of the six week project, which was then released by Sony Music. At the same time, he made his acting debut in an independent short film, soon to be released at Film Festivals across the U.S.
Mark has performed at many local benefit concerts as a solo artist, supporting projects by Anjelica Huston and Dennis Hopper.
"Venice" is very popular in Europe and Mark and the band spends much of their time touring there. When Mark isn't on tour, he's painting his now famous "hand painted clothing" line and recording the music that he writes himself which he recently turned into a solo album "The Demo Sessions". He enjoys traveling the world, dining out with friends, going to movies, dancing, body surfing, water skiing, and jumping off high cliffs into lakes and seas whenever possible!
All things combined, Mark's look and talents appeal to a wide range of audiences, young and old, all over the world.
Mason Casey
The rhythm and the blues had a baby and they named it rock ‘n’ roll. But sometime later they had another child you may not yet have heard so much about. His name is Mason Casey.
Born in New York City, raised in the country, Mason worked as a stone mason for many years; all the while learning and practicing the blues harmonica and soul singing. He continued working on his music, playing his style of soulful blues at small dives, on the streets, anywhere he could get a gig or draw a crowd.
In the early 90’s he moved to New York City and moved up through the ranks of the NYC blues scene. From 1994 through 1998 he was billed as “New York City’s Number One Blues Harmonica player” at Manny’s Car Wash in New York City. When playing in Brazil at the Natu Noblis Blues festival in 2002, Ron Levy (B.B. King’s former band leader) said to Mason “You really know how to get the people going!” Mason soon thereafter hooked up with a soul music producer/songwriter named Jon Tiven. They wrote and demo’d a bunch of songs together and Tiven used him as a harmonica player and vocalist on the records he was producing, including Wilson Pickett and Don Covay.
When Wilson Pickett heard Mason play the harmonica he said, “Now that’s how the harmonica is supposed to sound!” Pickett also had raves for Mason’s singing, telling him “Man you sound like Joe Cocker, when me and Joe Cocker do a concert together they got to re-adjust the microphones!”
As luck would have it, Tiven’s tenacious nature brought the good fortune of a record offer to Mason’s door. Fred Litwin, president of NorthernBlues Music, heard Mason’s latest work and decided this Mason Casey needed to make a record. So make a record they did. And it was good. No, it was great. Sofa King great.
"Sofa King Badass" available here:
www.rootsy.nu
McGowan
Describing the road to his own music, Mcgowan notes, "I grew up with folk and classical music on NPR. I was about 5 or 6 when I heard the Beatles and the Stones and my little world caved in to rock and roll. Later there was a long period of listening to reggae - lots of Marley - he was a major force, musically and spiritually." This led Mcgowan to teenage rock band, Christopher’s Pocket, bringing him from rural New Hampshire to Philadelphia - his home prior to New York. After the Pocket folded in early 1999, Mcgowan turned to guitar-for-hire at studio sessions to pay the bills, but also realized he could and should step out and start singing his own songs. He built a following by playing coffeehouses and clubs from Boston to Baltimore, and found himself with thousands of myspace.com friends.
A break from Mcgowan’s own music came in 2002 when he joined Ben Lee’s band, touring the world, making the late night TV rounds, playing shows with Beck and Phantom Planet, and also co-writing and recording on Ben’s Awake is the New Sleep album.
It was during his two-year excursion with Ben that Mcgowan took a detour to Philadelphia-based drummer/engineer/producer Jesse Honig’s temporary home in St. Louis. The two Philadelphians-in-exile produced nearly 30 tracks over the course of two long weekends, capturing a restless spirit with intimate and inspired recordings that bring you into the makeshift living room studio where they recorded. The duo feverishly tracked guitars, drums, bass, keys, vox, loops – mixing a veritable kitchen sink into shape – working quickly, nearly instinctively – and creating the most perfect pop of their young careers. Their recordings eventually become the album Mcgowan.
As Mcgowan tells it, “This record just fell in our laps. I was on tour and itchin' with ideas that I couldn't seem to express in a little van. Jesse had just moved to St. Louis and set up instruments and recording gear in his house. We felt like we were in a foreign land, and that led to an adventurous attitude.”
"There's a lot of punk and soul in my head,” says Mcgowan of his sound. “I like spacey music and psychedelic sounds. Most of the time, though, I'm trying to front with an acoustic guitar, which means I rely heavily on the craft of pop songs to fill the sonic void. I'm excited for the album 'cause I think it is going to reflect a lot of elements that people don't always get to hear from me." To date, most McGowan material has been available through his Web site only. That will change with the release of Mcgowan on Manic Pop Thrill. Capable of touring with a band or as a solo artist, Mcgowan is preparing to spend the remainder of 2005 doing both – first on a solo tour with Zack Hexum and Robert Gomez that will take him across America this summer, and then with his current band, which includes Jesse Honig (Thelma)on drums, Tom Scheponik (Gringo Motel) on keys, and Rob Hann (Shovel, Ben Lee) on bass.
McGowan's debut album is available here :
www.dotshop.se
Melanie Dekker
Melanie Dekker, is an accomplished singer/songwriter and guitarist from Vancouver, Canada, who has graced the performances of the world’s best:
Played to presidents, toured and received international recognition, gained rave reviews, and has left thousands of fans wanting more!
Dekker crafts her witty and heartbreak style songs with a driving rhythm that teases, pulls and moves the listener. Through her own tenacity Dekker’s songs have been placed colourfully throughout feature films, television shows, top radio charts and also covered by other notable artists.
Sonoma Mountain Entertainment and Zabit Records worked with legendary LA producer David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman/Tori Amos) recently signed Dekker to produce her latest album, “Revealed”. This collection of songs clearly represents the pinnacle of Melanie's career to date as an artist and writer.
www.myspace.com/melaniedekkermusic
Mikael Persson
”Strong melodies and a lot of voices - Voices add feeling”
After nearly 30 years as a songwriter and guitar-player with several local bands in Borås, Sweden, Mikael “Micke” Persson releases his debut album, “Moving With Mrs Carter” on Paraply Records.
The album’s twelve songs has a strong solid foundation, a lot of warmth, and beautiful harmonies, adding a little extra character and growth.
Recorded during a two-year-period, but written after a creative outburst on a single afternoon, the songs came to life during a turbulent time of inner and outer crisis. “I needed to build my own room, both mentally and physically”, Mikael says.
“The songwriting was a way of communicating with myself. Mrs Carter was my talking-partner. This new album is the result.”
The new album is released by Paraply Records, a label that will release Citizen K’s debut album later this year.
Stay tuned!
Mike Brosnan
An expatriate New Zealander currently based in Europe, Mike Brosnan is a true craftsman of song, a powerful and emotive singer, and a superb guitarist.
Despite extensive inter-national touring, for much of his early career he remained relatively unknown in the wider world. This lack of wider recognition was in all probability due the music industry's inability to "pigeon hole" his music, containing as it does such diverse influences; from rock to folk, from blues to Celtic to country.
With the recent re-emergence of interest worldwide in Roots Music, containing exactly such influences, this anachronism is now quickly being addressed and for the last few years Brosnan has increasingly received the level of recognition he is manifestly due.
An incendiary live show only added to the buzz, but it is the songs – combined with Brosnan’s ability put himself inside the characters body and soul – that leaves the strongest impression. As a songwriter, he is in a class by himself, presenting a level of lyrical honesty and vulnerability seldom found.
From solo performer to full bandleader Brosnan has journeyed throughout
the UK, Asia, Continental Europe and NZ; from small cafés to the best-known clubs, from the smoky bars to concert halls. His festival appearances include many of Europe and NZ’s most prestigious. And the
experience gained playing 200 plus concerts per year for more than a decade has forged his live performance into one of the strongest shows on the road anywhere, any time.
A highly accomplished yet understated guitarist, Brosnan plays lines that perfectly support his powerful baritone. And his slide guitar work is also considered a highlight, with many positive comparisons drawn with Ry Cooder’s best work.
A reviewer attended a Mike Brosnan concert in Germany recently - sceptical of the acclaim surrounding his work - and walked away a believer: "The audience was completely overcome by Brosnan’s emotions... we were into his music body and soul. He clearly believes every word he sings, and so did we..."
As a recent album reviewer wrote: "Do yourself, and the New Zealand music scene a favour by buying this CD. And then go out and see him live for the full story!”
Mitch Marcus
Mitch Marcus founded the Mitch Marcus Quintet in 1999. From post-apocalyptic jazz to scintillating trance hypnotism, the Mitch Marcus Quintet delivers a unique brand of original music, taking you through a labyrinth of ever-shifting textures. Comprised of some of the San Fransisco Bay Area's finest musicians, this dynamic collective features the extended compositions of saxophonists Marcus and Sylvain Carton, as well as the rumbling opuses of drummer Ches Smith.
The members of the Quintet also play in a diverse array of Bay Area bands, such as Donovan, Stanley, Trevor Dunn's Convulsant Trio, Good for Cows, Japonize Elephants, Realistic Orchestra, and Shotgun Wedding Hiphop Symphony.
New album “The Special” (produced by the legendary Stephen Barncard) just released.
Blending hard-twang dynamics, compelling melodies, close-knit harmonies, a pinch of hillbilly punk and a dash of Westcoast janglepop, The Molenes brew up an original and addictive breed of music.
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Dave Hunter, a founding member of London-based indie cult band Drugstore (Go! Discs & Roadrunner Records), formed The Molenes in late 2005 after moving back to Portsmouth, NH, a seacoast town north of Boston. He is joined by Thomas Ferry on Hammond organ/rhythm guitar/vocals, Andrew Russell on bass/vocals, and Andy Beale on drums/vocals.
Together they churn out a driving, infectious sound that has already worked its way into the veins of the Americana / roots / alt-country scene in the Northeast, and is rapidly motoring toward the heartland…
“Every once in a while a great record will come along with so little fanfare, you'd almost think the artist was intentionally masking its release to keep the beauty all to themselves... This Car is a melding of rockabilly, country, gospel, and roots. More descriptively, it's pure grease monkey rock armed with turquoise tail fins and Vaseline hair-dos. It bears the innocence of Whiskeytown's Faithless Street, the wide-swing tremolo of X's Los Angeles, and the simplicity of Springsteen's Nebraska, complete with haunting harmonicas and earthquake whammy bar groans." / Martin England, Herald Spotlight
"The Seacoast Scene can lay claim to a hotbed of roots rock, so when two of its leading lights agree on the next big band, you might want to pay attention... Both recently raved about The Molenes, an alt-country outfit who managed to stay pretty far under the radar until releasing their debut full-length, This Car Is Big. I can see where they're coming from." / Sam Pfeifle, Portland Phoenix
Morello
Formed in 1996 in London by singer/multiinstrumentalist /producer Malcolm Cross. The band name is actually a reference to his childhood hero, West Coast jazz drummer Joe Morello.
The group were a mainstay of London's 'Acid Jazz' scene in the late 90's; outside of recording debut LP 'Jackpot' (1998, CDV Music) Mal worked as a sideman for various maverick UK acts including Spiritualized, Death in Vegas and M J Cole.
A lifelong dream was realised when a recording contract with UK band Minibar brought him to Los Angeles, California, forming the inspiration for his US debut 'Minimal' (2003, self released); a kaleidoscope of musical styles in tribute to his new home. The song 'Too Sweet' from that album was ultimately featured on the soundtrack to the Focus Features movie 'Something New'(2006, Lakeshore Records.)
His latest release 'Handheld'(2007, self released) is a nod to the music and influences of his mispent youth - early 80's synth pioneers Prince, Giorgio Moroder and Yellow Magic Orchestra. The current band lineup includes vocalist Em C, Zak Schaffer (guitar) and Pierre Martin (bass.)
About 'Minimal':
"Hyperactive fun...brimming with irresistable melody and the true flavor of L.A..." (Rave!)
"A real damn good album that you need to discover right away..." (Melodic.net)
"An infectious romp through California's magnificent musical memoirs, still managing to sound wildly Right Now." (Pamela des Barres)
Nathan Holscher
Nathan sounds like what would happen if Dire Straits lost an arm wrestling match to Lyle Lovett. His music is steeped in the feelings of landscapes he has rambled across in the Midwest and Southwest. Chasing trout in small streams or the muse in a dingy bar, Nathan's songs somehow reflect both compassion and restlessness.
At 25, his few adult years have been spent crafting songs and doing the work that matters to him - protecting the rivers and streams that he grew up on. His music is set apart by the strength of his lyrics, which stand tall even without his tranceful guitar playing. He brings a sense of confidence to a live show that can make time and space fade away, leaving only the song and the listener.
Just out is his brilliant new album,
“Even The Hills”.
Nathalie Nahai
Born in London, Nathalie Nahai has been developing her musical talent all her life. Having been classically trained in violin and self-taught on guitar, she writes her own music and has been performing in the UK and US for the past three years, both solo and with her band.
Whilst studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (London), she travelled to the States to record her debut album with multi-platinum Grammy award winning producer Don McCollister. It was released in 2006 on her label, Fuzzy Muskrat Records (FMR), and received critical acclaim both in local and national press.
In 2007 she performed to packed houses in her first UK tour, and returned to the US to record her much-anticipated second album, “Fortune Teller”, which is due for release in June. Earlier this year, Nathalie entered the 2012 Talent Competition for a chance to perform at the handover of the Olympic Torch in August. Through massive public voting and support she has made it through to the final in April, an event which will be televised on ITV and broadcast over the internet.
Nathan McEuen grew up in and around the Rocky Mountains, Surrounded by incredible music and talented musicians. At an early age He started performing with his father, John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), and brother, Jonathan McEuen (Hanna-McEuen). Undoubtedly, the family has powerfully shaped his musical inclinations and style, but his influences and pursuits span much farther. As a singer/songwriter, he constructs universal, nostalgic melodies and lyrics. His study and mastery of several instruments, including guitar, piano, drums, and bass, allow him great compositional range.
Three years ago, Nathan moved to California to continue pursuing his music career. In that time he has created his first solo record “Grand Design,” performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, opened for David Crosby and Gram Nash, Dave Mason, Kenny Loggins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, performed with Kevin Nealon (SNL), worked with Paul Willams, Willie Nelson, started his own record company called “Lint Records,” and has played over 500 shows.
Watching and learning from the best, Nathan used those experiences to hone in his craft of songwriting, performance, and collaborating. Feeding off of all that energy Nathan decided to start his own record. With the producing help of his brother Jonathan, they formed a concept for the album – a nostalgic sound with a hip spin… “Future-retro-folk-rock.” They started in spring of 2004 and a year-and-a-half later finished creating: Nathan McEuen's “Grand Design.”
Grand Design features 11 original songs, some of which came about through collaborations with singer songwriters David James Holster (John Denver, NGDB, Starship), and Crosby Loggins. The album features many talented musicians including: Mario Calire (Wallflowers, Ozomatli), Randy Tico, Jonathan McEuen, Jimmy Calire (America), Phil Salazar, John McEuen (NGDB), and Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp).
Grand Design was released in November 2005. Since then Nathan has been on the road promoting his new record and is continuing to build a large following.
Currently on tour with :
Nathan McEuen and his Enormous Ego Band. Featuring: Nathan McEuen (guitar, vocal), Paul Cartwright (fiddle, mandolin, vocal), Chuck Hailes (upright bass, vocal). They play a wide variety of musical genres… From Folk to Bluegrass, Rock to Country. There are only 12 notes in music and they do a good job at showing them off.
This group will not disappoint!
Nels Andrews
“I think the thread of this album is a longing to belong to something bigger than us, a longing from outside, looking in through the window.
The last couple years for me have been a life in the margins, sleeping on floors and in parking lots, slipping in and out of bars and coffee shops in towns that barely knew I was there. I'd lived this marginal life before, in my early twenties, chasing Kerouac down the road, working itinerant jobs in the canneries of Alaska and planting trees in the forests of South Dakota. In this way, my past laid the road before me, easing the transition from the between years, when I was deep-rooted in the desert, to the well-worn boots of a troubador, the one's I've been wearing lately. I've found a romantic optimism that comes from distance, and saw it in the Off Track Betting house downstairs from my apartment in Brooklyn.
When I landed last year in this new big city hometown, I was hit with a whole new set of textures, and rhythms; to counter these I sought solace in abandoned piers and rooftops, replacing the mesas and sagebrush oceans of New Mexico.
These songs are voices from a campground in the desert winter, from behind the wheel of a yellow cab, of driving a rented car through the streets of a town that froze in time and still treats you like a stranger. These songs are hymns to that place, when you're not lost, but you're not quite there yet, when all you can do is know deep down that the next exit must be yours, "screaming like a blind man at the races".
Sonically, I learned to push the edges in the exploration of acoustic music with Todd Sickafoose. He had the vision to help me turn these sketches and storylines into cinematic shorts while keeping the desert places and cityscapes in the sounds. We worked at Trout studios in Brooklyn and recorded most of the tracks live to 2" tape, having the musicians all in one room kept a real organic nature to the record. A leslie speaker spun the electronic farfisa and arp sounds around the room in such a way that you could feel them buzzing and hovering like junebugs and zeppelins. We sculpted out all the parts in real time, often using the first or second take. We strayed from the traditional folk sound, moving into newer soundscapes to incorporate harp, klezmer banjos, sampled electronics, toy pianos and a glass orchestra. Looking in from outside, we were able to make a new place from the visions and imaginings a person may get when seeing somewhere from far away, maybe what you hope it will look like, when you get there.”
