Gus Black T0 Release Autumn Days Via Cheap Lullaby On March 14, 2006
PULSE OF THE TWIN CITIES "melancholy tunes that recall both the harsh,
soul-searching cry that wends so precisely through the music of Elliot Smith
and the dark, brittle pop brilliance of mid-period Badfinger."
"I knew this was going to be an interesting process... on the first day of
recording, I ran down to Radio Shack to grab a headphone extension cord and
was held up at gunpoint. The guy took off, I paid for the cord, went home
and started recording."
Autumn Days is Gus Black's fourth, and most intimate, release. Recorded in
his Silver Lake apartment during what he euphemistically calls a
transitional period, the album has an organic feel that highlights Black's
brilliant melodies and arrestingly honest vocals.
"This is more than just a breakup record. It's the twisted torment of a
failed relationship crashing into a new beginning," Black says. With songs
like Devil Spine, he remains true to that point. "It was a catharsis. That
song was one of those songs that arrives complete. The vocals and guitar
were improvised on the spot for me, it's the centerpiece (track 6) of the
album."
Released by Cheap Lullaby Records in the states, the record has already
found a following in Europe from significant radio airplay and subsequent
tour that was a critical success. Black also appeared on the famed radio
program Rockpalast (past guests include REM, Tom Waits, Eels).
Along with longtime band members Rocco Bidlovski on drums and Gianni
Neiviller on bass, the self-produced Autumn Days also features performances
by Dave Palmer (Air, Fiona Apple, Joe Henry), David Henry (Yo La Tengo, Josh
Rouse), Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, and Sarabeth Tucek (Smog, Brian
Jonestown Massacre).
The first US single,'Certain Kind of Light,' reflects both Black's penchant
for poetic realism, as well as his rock roots. "This was an opportunity for
me to communicate and take at least some control of my life at a time when I
couldn't make sense, or reason, of what was really going on. I needed to
sing this song, something that felt uplifting musically."
Recording under the name Gus, Black's first two albums Gus (1996) and Word
of Mouth Parade (1999) were released by Almo Sounds. The third, Uncivilized
Love--his first as Gus Black--was released in 2003 in the U.S. and 2004 in
Europe.
Black has twice been a featured guest on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.
His songs have been featured in number of television shows including: One
Tree Hill, Smallville, Felicity, and Alias. His cover of Don't Fear the
Reaper was featured in the original Scream soundtrack.
"In many ways, this feels like my first record," says Black of his new album
Autumn Days. "I felt like I needed to make an honest portrait of a moment in
time. In that sense the entire thing is made up environmental sounds. That
is, if your environment is a fallout shelter."
Track Listing:
1. Don't Go Tellin' The Whole World
2. Traffic And Sound
3. Trillion Things
4. Long Beach (It's A Miracle)
5. Weekend Soldier
6. Devil Spine
7. Rollercoaster
8. Helicopters
9. Certain Kind Of Light
10. 3234 (Imbecile)
11. Fire Escape
12. So Very Young
13. Shatter
14. Autumn Days
15. You are My Sunshine
