Lonesome Review: Krizta Moon – Tending the Garden of Truth

By: Chip McCabe

The Bible may refer to modern day Israel as the ‘land of milk and honey’ but from a musical perspective the proverbial land of milk and honey exists in an esoteric plane somewhere hovering over the four corners of the Earth.  It’s there for any and all to dabble in, like a wading pool of beauty and inspiration.  Connecticut’s Krizta Moon is one of many who seemingly live poolside in this land of milk and honey and on her debut EP she draws from this mystical well at will to deliver a silky sweet taste of pop and indie infused folk.

They say life is about the journey, not the destination.  If that is truly the case then it could explain the long and winding journey Moon took as a musician to reach this point in her career.  On Moon’s Bandcamp page it references the nearly ten year journey some of these songs took to reach our ears.  That’s a long time for a song to ferment, but songs are often the equivalent of fine wines – aging is not only a natural process, but one that is preferred.  On Tending the Garden of Truth, Moon clearly has packed more than ten years of memories and experiences into these five, little folk songs and it pays off with honest, open-hearted songwriting packaged in exceptional arrangements and production.

The album opens and closes with the two strongest songs on the record.  Album opener “Everytime” starts the whole thing off with an indie folk song, carefully stitched together in multiple, distinct pieces, and wrapped in a hint of mysticism that really sets the tone for the whole package.  It’s the thunder and lightening of the storm that’s about to calm and reveal a serene dewy meadow where Moon frolics through the tall grass of her remembrances.  She’s a dancer on the tightrope between melancholy and reflection, yet one that constantly and triumphantly lands on her feet every time to the smiles and sighs of relief from the forest of recollections around her.  The album closes with the uplifting “Sandy Beaches,” an ode to how a certain patch of Mother Nature’s backyard can bring on waves upon waves of emotive bliss like the waters of the great oceans crashing upon the song’s namesakes.  And within those waves Moon conducts a veritable folk orchestra of strings, piano, and voices to undulate along with the oceanic rhythms of the tune itself.  It’s the perfect finish, the sunset on the horizon of any day worth remembering.

Krizta Moon has delivered a refreshing take on the folk ethos.  She’s a singer-songwriter, first and foremost; but a sort of mystic as well, one who is able to successfully relay the whispers and the lessons learned from her own not-so-distant past.  It truly is the journey and not the destination we should all be paying attention to both in life and on this record.

Tending the Garden of Truth is out now and can be experienced and purchased on the Krizta Moon Bandcamp page.

Lonesome Interview: Tracy Walton

photo credit: Lüke Haughwøut

By: Christopher Aloysius Mariotti

I had a chance to talk with Connecticut musician/producer Tracy Walton, who has a lot going on these days (including an Album Release gig tonight at Daryl’s House Club).

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Mr Walton, congratulations on 2015 – it’s been a pretty stellar year so far: the new album, Moderately Unknown; the album release show at Daryl’s House Club (as well as your recent string of shows there); your nomination at the New England Music Awards for Male Performer of the Year; On Deck Sound Studio. We’ll discuss each individually, but give me a bit of how this has started off as the Year of Tracy Walton.

It’s been great so far. It’s exciting to have a bunch of records coming out of the studio, including mine. I am appearing on WAPJ Homegrown on April 1st and I feel like it may be to tell me that it’s all been an elaborate April Fool’s joke. I have been so busy trying to make great albums that it all kind of snuck up on me. As I come up for air with my record done, it’s nice to see that people are noticing.

Let’s start with On Deck Sound Studio. There are some fantastic musicians on your roster, such as Julia Autumn Ford, and Krizta Moon (who herself just released an EP, Tending the Garden of Truth). Do you have a certain aesthetic when looking for musicians to record?

I want people that want to make amazing music. And I want their songs to move me. Krizta and Julia are great examples of that. They both have a unique voice as songwriters and singers. Julia was a lot of fun because she was so new to music and has one of the purest voices I have ever heard. She was a blank canvas and she is really open to experimenting and trying things. We are working on her new stuff now and it is crazy good. Krizta had a much clearer vision for her stuff, which is exciting in its own way. I love the challenge of getting inside an artist’s head and capturing the sound they are hearing. I am not a producer that tries to impose my sound on the record. I make my own records for that.

Do you have any projects coming out of the studio you’d like to mention, or promote?

I’m excited about Julia Autumn Ford’s project. We are going to release one song per month for 6 months. Looking to start in April. She really gets better all the time. I’ll be producing two videos for The Podunk Bluegrass Festival in April. We are supplying sound for the new acoustic stage. Little Ugly and Tuesday Saint are coming in to spend the day recording and we’ll use the videos to promote the festival. Telefunken will be supplying the microphones for the sessions so I am excited to be working with them as well. The Screamin’ Eagle Band will be back in and they are always fun. And High Adventure just started an album. They are bunch of killer players playing songs about Star Wars. They are a blast.

So – Daryl’s House Club. I mean, really? What a cool gig! How did that come about?

They actually contacted me. It’s funny how sometimes I have to work so damn hard to get a gig, and then other times the years of grinding pays off and they just call me. After my first set, Daryl came up and said how much he loved it and how great the songs were. I have to admit it felt pretty good. I even sucked it up and asked to take a picture (laughing).

said picture

Speaking of Daryl’s House Club, you are having your Album Release there tonight. I really dig the new set of songs. I think there’s a certain level of achievement in the storytelling. On this album, do you find the lyrics as being the focus, and the music the vessel? Or did you write the music first, and fill in the vocal melody and, subsequently, the words? What was the process like?

Thanks for the kind words. Being from the McCartney school, most of my songs start with the music first and then melody. Words typically come last. Although, I usually write with a theme or phrase in mind. I tried to get back to the rock tributary for this record, and I intentionally crafted denser harmonic beds that invoke emotions without the words. At that point I slaved over every word and phrase. I want the lyrics to be the focus, so I try to make the stories compelling. I constantly try to improve the lyrics of the songs and say things in unique ways. I have a song I have been writing for two years and it’s really amazing, I just still feel like I could say it better.

Lyrics are the heart of the song. And I think you nailed it there. Now, you’re nominated for Male Performer of the Year at this year’s New England Music Awards. First question: are you going? Second question: does a nomination such as this help justify the hard work you’ve put in here in Connecticut? Or is it just a nice cherry on the top?

I haven’t decided yet. I was a bit bummed last year that people were talking during the performances. If as a group of musicians we can’t shut up while someone is playing, we have problems. In terms of the nomination, I am really grateful that I’m still relevant after all these years and fortunate enough to make a living playing music. My computer is actually surrounded by mailers right now for the pre-orders of the new album. So in that sense, yes the nomination is a nice cherry on top. Is it odd that Cherry Pie came into my head, and now it segued into Unskinny Bop…?

It’s funny you mention Warrant, and Poison. Both Jani Lane and Bret Michaels wrote an exceptional ballad (“Heaven” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” respectively). Strip away all the 80s hair-gloss, and both are really honest, singer-songwriter moments. When you’re writing, does the instrument accompaniment come naturally? How do you know when to hold back the layers, or when to push forward like McCartney did, or Brian Wilson?

I typically go in hearing what the song sounds like as I am writing it. I then just grab the right instrument, or in some cases player, to realize that vision. I knew I wanted some ripping guitar on this album so I called my buddy Jeff Howard to hang for a few days and we had a blast tracking guitars. Most songs have a space that they want to live in. You really need to listen to what they are asking for. And sometimes it comes down to the balance of the album. There needs to be an arch to the album and sometimes you lay back or push accordingly. I always defer to less is more, but sometimes it’s tough when you are sitting 5 feet from a Hammond B3 or other fun toy.

Oh, man. The Hammond definitely has that affect! Now, as a songwriter, I know all our songs are our children, so to speak. But is there a song or two on the new album that you are particularly proud of?

Songs are a lot like kids in that you love them all at first, but some of them lose their shine pretty quickly. I have many songs that I banish to the Island of Misfit Songs. I wrote 17 songs for this album and 10 made the cut. Some just didn’t play nicely with the other kids and some were just victims of Darwinism. Unlike parents, I admit to having favorites. I feel like “Better Man” and “The Night Slipped Away In Our Hands” are two of the better songs I have ever written. “The Night Slipped Away In Our Hands” might be the best. It’s a shame that I am such an album guy and it had to be last. I feel like it will get the least listens, but everything down to the final cadence screamed for it to be last.

Thank you so much for the conversation. I wish you nothing but the best with your show tonight, as well as the rest of The Year of Tracy Walton!  

You can visit Tracy Walton on Facebook. And you can listen/purchase his new album, Moderately Unknown, on his Bandcamp page.

Lonesome Preview: The 2014 Willie Nelson Birthday Bash

To say that Willie Nelson is a legend is a bit of an understatement.  Songwriter, performer, actor, activist, Nelson is a true American icon.  On Friday, May 9, nine CT musicians come together at Arch Street Tavern in Hartford to celebrate his music and one of his causes.  The 2014 Willie Nelson Birthday Bash is not only a celebration of the life and times of Nelson, but of his work with local, independent farmers.  Nelson, of course, is one of the founders of the Farm Aid franchise that’s raised millions of dollars to help independent farms stay afloat in the face of the dreaded factory farm system.  All proceeds on Friday night from The Willie Nelson Birthday Bash will benefit the Connecticut chapter of NOFA – the Northeast Organic Farmers Association.  Great music for a great cause indeed.  If you need any other reason to be there that night here’s nine of them:

Krizta Moon –  Phenomenal singer/songwriter from the burgeoning Northwest corner of CT.  Check out her cover of one of Willie’s dear friends…

 

Andy Wakeman – Wakeman is a young guy with an old soul and that’s reflected in his brand of country-infused folk.

 

Hannah Fair – One of the best young voices to come out of CT in a long time.  Hannah Fair has already performed at the CT Music Awards and done a Daytrotter Session and we’re not even positive she’s old enough to drink yet.

 

Frank Critelli & Mark Mirando –  Critelli and Mirando are CT music vets whose collaborations never get stale.  Critelli has a new album due out soon and advanced listens have been very, very promising.

 

The And Band – You fancy your country mixed with a little punk rock?  Then you’re in for a treat because these “cowpunks” are going to light up the stage.

 

Lys Guillorn Band – Her Winged Victory album was one of our favorites last year.  Now Lys Guillorn is hitting the stage with a full backing band and fresh off a killer performance at the Meriden Daffodil Festival.

 

The Backyard Committee – Big things are brewing for this band and for good reason.  In a state littered with some truly amazing alt country/Americana acts, The Backyard Committee are one of the best around.

 

Them Damn Hamiltons – Connecticut’s masters of the new American Gothic.  Their brand of Americana is a dark, noir brand of influences that coalesce into something rootsy yet ethereal.

 

Elison Jackson – Fresh off being nominated in multiple categories for this year’s CT Music Awards (including song of the year for “2009” which will be performed at The Bushnell on June 10), Elison Jackson cap the night off with an electrifying blend of what they have dubbed “stoner soul” and “Garage folk.”