January 13, 2009

Interview with APR

apr-logo-iiWe recently had the opportunity to sit down and catch up with a heavily bearded APR (Andrew Parker-Renga).  The Burlington, VT based crooner is currently at work on his 2nd studio album, with a scheduled completion some time early 2009.  Below is a excerpt from our conversation:

 

LCR: Who do you consider your biggest influences?

APR: My family, friends and nature to start.  Well, there are so many musical ones it’s hard to list.  Everything really that’s every touch my ears, but usually what I am listening too.  Technique wise.  My guitar knowledge came a lot from Dave Matthews, classic rock, and 90s bands like Nirvana, Weezer, Pearl Jam etc…   Song-structure, from Paul Simon, Counting Crows, and weird feelings in my heart. My voice has been recently influenced a lot by Ray LaMontagane, just so much feeling, so much.  I love Jeff Buckley’s voice and have sang tons to his records.  When I was younger, I wanted to be Dave Matthews.

LCR: Compare your sound now to your sound when you released your first album?

APR: That’s a great question.  This album I have a band for starters which gave me a back bone.  I didn’t do hardly any overdubbing, mostly one takes.  Also, I quadruple tracked everything on the first record.  This one every production tech. was planned not formulaic. Last record was a collection of exercises.  This album is a collection feelings.  The new album breathes more to me.

LCR: To what do you attribute the changes in your sound, if any?

APR: Having great musician’s to play with changes things. My age.  My girlfriend.  All the music I heard between records.

apr1LCR: How are things going in the studio?

APR: Almost finished.  Tracking is done.  Just picking mixes and rolling out the pressing

LCR: When do expect the album to be completed?

APR: This month (Jan).  Looking at mastering facilities right now.  CD release in late Feb. 
 
LCR: Do you have plans to tour in support of the album?

APR: God willing.  And by god I mean me.  I’m on the cusp of being able to financially get myself in a place to go all over the country.  I will deff. be setting mini tours in New England.

LCR: Who are you listening to right now?

APR: Mason Jennings, Ray LaMontagane, Damien Rice, old Outkast, local DJ mixes from Lotus entertainment, Zack duPont, the Woods Brothers, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Davenport, Tom Petty, Beethoven

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January 7, 2009

Back in the Saddle

The past few weeks have been a bit hectic, so sorry for the lack of activity here at Lost Cowboy Records.  We were fornutante enough to make it to Indianapolis for a couple weeks and thoroughly enjoyed the Spin Nightclub Christmas Extravaganza featuring Blue Moon Revue, Nick Vote and Johnzo West.  Rumor has it that Blue Moon Revue is working on an album which will be released some time later this year.   Those boys certainly know how to put on a show. 

The new year brings some exciting news regarding upcoming events and shows.  Our dear friend Scott Gould has relocated to Encinitas, California, and plans on taking some of his new material to the ‘woodshed,’ more commonly known as E Street Cafe’s open mic night, which apparently has been moved from Tuesdays to Sundays.  

belly-upLost Cowboy  has been playing bass with an up-and-coming San Diego singer/songwriter named Matt Commerce, and the group has 2 upcoming shows in January:  A Television appearance on KUSI San Diego on January 25th, followed by a show at the legendary Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California on the 27th.  Be sure to check out the Belly Up show if you have the means.   The television appearance should be on the world wide web, and will certainly find it’s way to this site when available.

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December 19, 2008

Classic Christmas Album

Lost Cowboy Records hosted its first annual Christmas Party last night, and we are proud to report that 100% of those invited were in attendance.  The two most important things at a christmas party (after the booze of course) are the food and the music.  The party was strong in both categories, with a delicious spaghetti squash prepared by the hosts, and a nice Holiday mix on the stereo.   squash3We used this recipe for the squash, and it turned out great.  Apparently this is a healthy alternative to actual spaghetti – I just thought it tasted good.   For desert, we enjoyed Mochi ice cream puff balls.  These things are incredible.   The music was good but it could have been so much better.  I was digging through my old CD book and stumbled across the Holiday Classic “Mission Possible Christmas.”  The CD looked like it had been left in a puddle of egg-nog and never cleaned off, so I went through the time-tested CD cleansing routine of a steam coating followed by a delicate shirt rub-down.  It is important to be wearing a soft cotton or flannel shirt for step 2.  Anyways, despite my valiant effort, I could not get the CD to play.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mission Possible Christmas, it is a CD that Lost Cowboy Records (at the time doing business as “Haven Records“) released in 2000.  I think we raised something like $500 dollars for an orphanage in Africa by selling them for 5 bucks apiece in the high school cafeteria.  Some of the highlights include the shred-metal version of Carol of the Bells, and Scott Gould and Brad Phillips beautiful duet of “The First Noel.”  While home for the holidays, I will be tracking down a mint copy and making duplicates so I can enjoy for years to come.  If you would like your very own copy of this Classic Record please contact Lost Cowboy Records.  The price is zero dollars with free shipping inside the continental US.  Sales tax not applicable in California or Indiana.

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December 3, 2008

Upcoming Albums

There is alot of buzz right now in the Lost Cowboy stable.  Several of our friends are at work in the ole’ woodshed putting together new recordings that will be dropping in early 2009.  As we all know, Lost Cowboy’s favorite red-beard, Nick Vote is spending time in Nashville working on his new batch of songs. 

apr1In addition to Nick, our old buddy APR (Andrew Parker-Renga) has recently entered the studio to work on the follow up to his 2006 debut “Issue:1 Thomas and the Man in the Chair.”  APR is currently living in Burlington, VT and playing shows all around New England.  He recently completed a month-long residency at Nectar’s (for all you Phish fans out there).  APR has promised to keep us updated on his progress, and we should have an interview with APR some time in the next month. 

We have also received word that up-and-comer JS Brothers from Chicago will be putting together an L.P. over the winter.  The single “Brown Line Walk” recently leaked onto the internet and Lost Cowboy was lucky enough to stumble across it.  This L.P. will be worth the wait.  Sessions should be completed over the Christmas Holiday, so look for a copy in your stockings.

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November 25, 2008

Cowboy Turkey

While this is mainly a music site, I thought this would be an appropriate time to introduce a Cowboy-tested method for roasting a bird this Thanksgiving.  It is really simple.  All you need (in addition to the bird of course, which you will need to catch and clean with your bare hands) is a bag of coals, a metal stake, and a galvanized trash can.  All of these items should be available at your local general store.

items

Once you have a set up that looks sort of like this, it’s really simple.  The bird gets impaled on the stake, and the trash can is placed over the impaled bird.  Then spread coals around the bottom edge and on top of the can and light.  It should look like this (no idea who the bald guy is):

flame_on 

Make sure you have plenty of whiskey and throwing knives, because this bird needs to roast for about 2 hours.  Have your drunkest buddy lift the can off the bird, remove bird from stake, and enjoy.  This bird will be moist, so no need to drench it with Aunt Thelma’s “possum gravy.”  Beware – if you do this on your lawn, you will end up with a scorched circle of brown grass, so it is best to do it in the desert, or some other remote outpost.

lift1

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November 18, 2008

Good Kindling

WTF?

WTF?

Rolling Stone, with a sporty new look, has released it’s “100 greatest rock singers.”  Lost Cowboy has something to say about 1) the new look of the magazine and 2) the errors and omisions in the top 100 list.

Starting with the new look:  I dig it.  Rolling stone is one of my favorite reads, but it’s large layout always prohibited reading in certain situations.  The magazine can now easily be concealed in a pant leg for access during a Christmas church service, or placed inside an important looking binder for enjoyment during your day-job.   Moving on to the top 100 rock singer list.  Some notable ommissions: Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Eddie Vedder.  Really surprised with the Costello omission because he is a true cowboy and a scholar.  I’m disappointed that Celine Dion is on this list because she sucks.  I’m surprised that Art Garfunkel made the list and Paul Simon did not.  Overall, with the exception of some cool pictures and write ups by fellow-singers, Lost Cowboy thinks the list is weak and should be used for kindling on your next cattle drive through the desert.

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November 17, 2008

How To Shoplift

To those of you who stopped listening to music after you got tired of the ‘8 Mile’ soundtrack, here’s a suggestion: get on your bike and ride to your local record shop.  Greet the clerk and ask him or her to direct you to the rock section (maybe the indie section depending on the shop).  When you reach the right section, look for the F’s.  The artist you are looking for is Fleet Foxes, the album is their self-titled debut release in the summer of 2008.  Put the disc in your hand and slyly lower it into your pocket.  Walk around the perimeter of the store, as far from the clerk as possible.  It is important to be looking at your feet during this time, and if you are wearing a hoodie, raise the hood over your head.  As soon as the clerk is busy placing a special order for the funny looking guy that just walked in, make a run for it.  You just got a free new record, and the best part: it’s a great record.

 fleet-foxes

Fleet Foxes are a five piece group from Seattle.  Their self-titled debut album was released in June 2008.  The first impression I had when listening was that they sound like My Morning Jacket.  Some online research confirms that music critics and writers think the same thing.  Don’t get me wrong, this is not at all a bad thing.  Some of the things I love about MMJ: the soaring melodies and reverby vocals are present, but Fleet Foxes have a much more traditional-folk driven sound.   While MMJ was busy drinking whiskey and listening to Neil Young, Fleet Foxes were home-brewing beer and listening to Nick Drake.  I always relate to music in terms of the geographic origins of the band, and these guys really do make me think of a rainy-day drive through the pine-tree covered Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.  “White Winter Hymnal” is a great display of the vocal driven anthem Fleet Foxes has perfected.  The liner notes of the album are really cool as well, so it will do you no good to just download.  You’re going to go steal this one for yourself.  Come to think of it, nevermind about the shoplifting – get a job and buy the damn record.

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