Madison, Wisconsin (Top40 Charts/ Marketing Technology Group) Eric Sommer , meet Wisconsin - Land of Milk, Honey, Cheese and some of the most amazing
Music in The Known Universe.
Eric Sommer,
Roots Americana Artist, ploughs out center stage at The Atwood Summer
Music Festival, Madison, Wisconsin, on Sunday, July 28th; Mr. Sommer will open Sunday's
Music on The Max Ink Radio/Ale Asylum Rock Stage at 2pm and Mr Sommer's brand of blazing
Roots Pop Americana is exactly what Madison loves; add to that a truly remarkable guitar style and this guy may never be able to leave Wisconsin.
So it's a fitting setting to introduce new songs off his latest record RAINY DAY KARMA , and to stretch out on a few tunes with his vintage and colorfully cheap guitars - sea-foam green, black, one loaded with pearl inlay, a '69 Telecaster, a 1937 Valco Shield 10watt amp.
New songs include "I Caught a Cab" and "Europe, Europe" and the alt rocker favorite "Red Queen". The songs were recorded in Pittsburgh and the vocals were mastered in Nashville by Jeff Silverman. It is a tour de force of guitarin', singin' and songwritin'... all wrapped together.
There are some controversial themes as well - double suicides in Las
Vegas (Red Queen), living on the edge, in a closet with one window, no water and no heat (White Knucjkle Girls) and watching everyone you know be either dead, dying or not feeling very well (Cover My Soul in Gasoline)... One of the outstanding cuts on a disc loaded with them is "Cover My Soul in Gasoline."
One of the noticeable standouts in any Eric Sommer show is the on-the-fly improvisational approach to many of the breaks, solo sections and dramatic lulls in an "audio-wash, wall-of-sound" presentation.
And what's a bit remarkable is that all this sound comes from 6 small stage amps.
Eric started his musical career in the
Boston area and has been a regular player on many national tours and showcases. He worked in
Europe for 2 years on Danish, German and British rock stages, returned to
Boston and formed The Atomics, a cult power-pop band in South Boston. His influences are as diverse as Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Steve Howe and The Ramones. Mr. Sommer's current project with power trio "The Solar Flares" shake up Chet Atkins and
David Bromberg influences with those of
Randy Travis and
Elvis Costello - a remarkable mix.
With open tunings, slide guitar, lap-slap tone guitar and a remarkably aggressive fingering style approach, watching Eric Sommer will make you jump out of your seat and holler for joy! There are very few players who have maintained this authentic American style of guitar and Eric Sommer is one of the very best.
