Back to Palm Springs (sort of)

Well, as I’m still waiting to hear back from a number of Palm Springs area folks with info I might be able to share with you, and as I have a ton of others I’d like to write about, I’ve decided to stop holding things up and move on to the next bunch of acts I’ve been putting on hold.  In the meantime, I’m still planning to interview Sean Brown (aka SA!NT) and I’ve been in touch with Zinema and plan to see them play in the next week or so.  As soon as those things happen, or as soon as I hear back from one of the others on my Palm Springs list, I’ll write more on the subject.  For now, if so inclined, you can visit any of my local favorites in their respective web territories (listed below).

Sean Burford (aka Hymnself)

Gram Rabbit 

Latest album Cultivation available at Amazon.com

Owen Willingham

Cognitive Dissidents

Cinematic Chaos

Sean Brown (aka SA!NT)

Zinema

Van Richter Records 

Various artists available at Amazon.com

SP Smyth

S.

Pazz Kluger

I’ve decided to put my expose on Palm Springs bands on hold for the time being in order to focus on a musician from New York recording and performing under the moniker of Pazz Kluger.  Pazz was the first person to leave a comment on my Reverb Nation fan site last week, so I thought I owed him the courtesy of listening to his music and commenting back.  I was truly impressed with what I heard and let him know so.

Subsequently, we sent messages back and forth for several days and then finally did a phone interview this past weekend.  This was my first such musician interview since starting my blog last Fall, so I’m pretty much learning how to do this as I do it.  Yes, that was meant as an up-front disclaimer.  

During our hour +/- conversation we spoke of a shared passion for early ‘80s proto-goth and post-punk music from bands like Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Cure, etc.  I found it fascinating that somebody much younger than I would be drawn to such music.  (For the record, I was a teenager in 1979 when Joy Division and the Cure released their debut albums and Bauhaus put out their first single - all on vinyl).  I was impressed with Pazz’s knowledge of this era and his aptitude for capturing its essence within his own oeuvre.  He spoke at length of his respect for former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis and his willingness to “lay it all on the line” and “expose his soul” for his art and audience.  Pazz said he seeks to emulate this approach within his own work, which he characterized as driven primarily by the experience of loss.  

In addition to the aforementioned, Pazz cited bands such as TSOL, The Smiths, Nick Cave, Camera Obscura, The Specials and even Johnny Cash as influences.  Although he never indicated to me that he drew inspiration from The Psychedelic Furs, when I compared his voice to that of Richard Butler’s he took it as a compliment and seemed genuinely flattered.

Pazz was trained as a graphic designer and I find a pop-art, even painterly quality to his work - a clarity of purpose that is repeatedly thwarted through layers of disjunction and ambiguity.  He describes his process as organic and even DIY.  As I listen to his songs I find myself hearing the ghostly voice of Andy Warhol, when asked why his Campbell’s Soup Can paintings featured flaws and running paint, replying “...well, an artist must drip.”  I believe this is the key to understanding what Pazz means by DIY - that one must allow songs to be what they are as they grow and mature, leaving all the inherent rough edges, stops & starts and even flaws intact, rather than polished over and prettied up.

Pazz told me that he worked on his current eponymous release for about a year and a half, recording in his basement after work and off hours from family duties.  He self-produced the entire project, writing all songs as well as performing all instruments and vocals.  He is rehearsing with his new band at the moment and will begin touring about the New York/New Jersey area in the coming months.  He has also begun work on a new album which will feature his current lineup.

You can find Pazz at MySpace, Facebook and Jango among several other locales, although I suggest you visit his Reverb Nation page first, as he has links to his other sites posted there.  I further urge you to check out his music.  Of his songs, my particular favorites are Forfeit of Life (which puts me in mind of late ‘80s Love and Rockets), Karma Stay Away, Sins, and Locked.  Although I’ve got to admit I like them all and have found they only get better with repeated listenings.   

Pazz Kluger is also available for download from Amazon.com. 

S.

SP Smyth

As part of my ongoing coverage of Palm Springs area musicians I’m focusing today on SP Smyth, an artist so local he lives in my house.  Yes, it’s true, I’m my own best audience, so why not be my only critic?  Honestly, I’d love to write about somebody else, but I’m still impatiently waiting to hear back from the other local talent.  Until then, I’ll promote my own career.  

There isn’t a whole lot new to report on since my previous blog entries.  I’m still unsigned, unknown and willing to get on my hands and knees and beg for any sort of recognition. 

On that front, I’ve decided it’s time to get out and start playing live, which is something I’ve been dreading as I get serious stage fright - the sort where I’ll be in the middle of a song and forget the next chord, notes, words or even where I am.  I know this sort of thing gets easier through repetition, so I’ve got to just get out there and play.  I’m looking for other musicians to collaborate with, which has been one of my main motivators for familiarizing myself with the local scene.  We’ll see how that goes.  I bought a new amp and a beautiful Eric Clapton edition Fender Strat, should the performance opportunity arise.

I’ve also been remixing/remastering (as well as re-recording guitar parts for) several of my songs in preparation for a home-made EP I plan to distribute gratis when I visit Austin, Texas for the SxSW Festival next month.  I feel far more comfortable in the studio than on stage, so I’m actually making a lot of progress in that arena.  

For more info and for song and video clips you can visit me at any or all of the following:

MySpace

Last.fm

iLike.com

YouTube

Facebook

Reverb Nation

Thanks in advance for your patronage and support.  I’m always open to feedback, especially the sort that’s filled with praise and encouragement.

S.