New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Earshot Media) Chicago Record Release Parties April 8th at
Marias Packaged Goods in Bridgeport, April 15th at Beat Kitchen - Two In Store Performances April 16th for Record Store Day.
"...stark tales and empathy for those in troubled situations via a darkly attractive melange of sonic styles with roots ranging from Johnny Cash's commanding melodrama...to Nick Cave's theatrical doominess and Michael Gira's punishing reflections." All Music Guide
Dawn till dusk is a worker's day, and some wouldn't consider that a privilege. But for millions of Americans long, back-breaking hours bring an essential paycheck and the pride of a strong work ethic. The last few years have been terribly difficult for the working class - millions of people who just want to support their families have been left in the cold, with pensions gutted and homes in jeopardy. Tim Larson writes songs for them. Plainspoken protest songs dominate his new release with the Owner Operators, A New Deal, arriving in stores - April 15th. The band performed two shows at SXSW, and they'll play at Reggie's Music Joint March 25th when they head home. They'll celebrate the record release at Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Liquors, the Beat Kitchen on April 15th and play twice April 16th for Record Store Day, at Vintage Vinyl and Gramaphone Records.
A former member of the acclaimed Irish band The Drovers, Larson is a longtime asphalt worker with sharp powers of observation and classical music training. He draws from influences as diverse as John Lee Hooker, Waylon Jennings, Nick Cave and Siouxsie and the Banshees, combining the layered sonics of shoegaze with warm acoustic instruments to frame songs about the down and out, accompanied by the Owner Operators.
The band settled in last year at the Belmont Distillery to record basic tracks before moving to BobDog Studios in Oak Park, IL for rhythm tracks, mixing and mastering. Larson produced, layering a plethora of tracks incorporating guitars, mandolins, slide guitar and lap steel to create a sound that is two-dimensional: at low volume the sound is Americana in spirit - crank it up, and the wall of sound kicks into gear and transforms it into a shoegaze affair. Larson explains, We tried to make the record bigger sounding without using a lot of effects.
Tim Larson was born and raised in Bridgeport, on the south side of Chicago. While attending parochial school he began playing guitar and studying music, eventually becoming proficient on guitar, bass, mandolin, violin and piano and earning a degree in music composition. After joining the Drovers in 1995, he spent his college years on tour, doing homework on the way and sharing the stage w/ acts like Elvis Costello, Yo La Tengo and Wilco. In 2002 he joined the family asphalt business and retired from the Drovers.
Putting in twelve hour days on a steamroller or jackhammer takes a strong work ethic akin to the men he writes about. Instead of hardening his worldview, Larson's empathy for the harsh realities of today's workers compelled him to bear witness. While bad economic times come and go, it's an American tradition to write songs about them that are instantly relatable to all (but the very rich). With A New Deal, Tim Larson and the Owner Operators contribute a slew of new anthems to the songbook.
Upcoming Chicago Shows:
April 8th - Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Liquors: 960 W. 31st St. 773-890-0588
April 15th - Beat Kitchen (Record Release Party)10pm Tickets - $8.00 2100 West Belmont Avenue www.beatkitchen.com (773) 281-4444
Record Store Day Performances:
April 16 Vintage Vinyl Records 12 noon 925 Davis Street in Evanston 847) 328-2899 www.vvmo.com/
April 16th - Gramaphone Records 2pm 2843 North Clark Street (773) 472-3683 www.gramaphonerecords.com/
