New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The New York-based power-pop duo Porter Block return with their first new album in six years, Hard To See Beautiful, today on new label Team Mensch. Formed in 2005 and made up of
Peter Block and Caleb Sherman, Porter Block will hit the road later this summer for dates with
Lucy Woodward and Tim Easton (see current dates below).
The 10-track album was co-produced and co-written by Mike Viola (Candy Butchers, Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis) and recorded digitally in Nashville by Caleb and on analog in Los Angeles, by Sheldon Gomberg (Ben Harper, Warpaint, Joseph Arthur).
"I'm really proud of Hard To See Beautiful,� says Peter. �It's the first time I made an album with two different producers, Mike and Caleb, and also in two different cities. The songs all come from a personal place, yet there are a lot of hooks and sing-along moments."
The band on Hard To See Beautiful includes Mike Viola, who in addition to co-producing and co-writing also plays acoustic guitar and sings back-ups. Guitars were handled by Peter, Caleb, Mike, Steven Elliot (Dawes, Norah Jones) and Terry Radigan; the keys were split between Peter, Caleb and Larry Goldings (James Taylor, John Mayer). Drum chores were shared by
Brandon Barnes and long-time
Elvis Costello compadre, Pete Thomas. Bass came courtesy of Caleb and another Costello bandmate, Davey Faragher.
For insight into the two technologies and two approaches used in creating Hard To See Beautiful, fans can watch a short Interview with
Peter Block that also features behind-the-scenes footage filmed during the recording of the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FajH418wulk
The six-year delay between Porter Block records was the result of a serious illness during which time
Peter helped create the non-profit
Music and Medicine program at Weill Cornell Medical College, which encourages medical students to continue to pursue musical study and performance while studying medicine.
Porter Block on tour:
08/10 � Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java #
08/12 � Cambridge, MA @ Toad Cambridge #
09/03 � Gatlinburg, TN @
Sugarland Distillery *
09/04 � Johnson City, TN @
Willow Tree *
09/12 � New York, NY @ Rockwood
Music Hall *
09/13 � Philadelphia, PA @ World Caf� Live (Upstairs) *
09/14 � Kennett Square, PA @ Kennett Flash *
09/16 � Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Caf� *
More dates to be added
# - opening for Lucy Woodward
* - opening for Tim Easton
https://www.teammensch.com
