Been looking for syrupy voiced chanteuse Kristy Kruger around town? Well, you haven't seen her because she's in Grand Rapids, Michigan, producing an album for a singer named Lux Land (who's married to the guy from the Verve Pipe). But I will get to that later. Right now let's focus on Kruger's music. She's been writing and recording songs for the follow-up to the excellent 2006 country-folk album Songs From a Dead Man's Couch. In advance of a homecoming show on April 30 at the Granada, she sends along a rough mix of the new tune "I Fell in Love With a Man Who Said He Loved Me."
Kruger says the title's self-explanatory, and that the words of the song come from a real and raw personal experience:
"I literally fell in love with a man who said he loved me. I wasn't even interested in him until he kept on and kept on, telling me that he wanted to wake up next to me everyday, telling me how happy we would be together. Well, when someone keeps offering you love, I guess you can be swayed. So, I began to fall in love. Once he realized that I was now in love, he completely turned on me. Really, it was awful. I don't even want to get into the things he did to me. He was the most manipulative person I have ever met in my life. He completely crushed me and broke my heart. ... That guy really, really messed me up. Every line of the song is true."
Kristy Kruger, "I Fell in Love With a Man Who Said He Loved Me":
Can't you just imagine her in a slinky get-up, performing this song in a saloon? Can't wait for the new album, but there's no release date just yet.
Denton's Dale Jones (aka New Science Projects) is one of the most unapologetically raw live performers in the area, making his shows equal parts unsettling and unforgettable. But listen to his last album Crocodile! and you'll find that under the sometimes guttural singing and angry lyrics are some supremely catchy melodies. Same goes for the song I'm 'bout to play you, "We're All Right." It's on the new 7" Poison Cultures, to be released by Gutterth at a J&J's show on June 5.
New Science Projects, "We're All Right":
Jones explains the inspiration for the song in an e-mail:
"It's basically the theme song for all the self-interested, self-oriented little snots running our world and our lives, people who can ignore anything -- as long as it isn't shooting them in the face personally. Most of my family and some of my coworkers are living like this, and this is my elitist rant against them - mustaches and hot pants sold seperately. Plus it's fun to watch the individuals the song is about singing along. I can appreciate that, deep down somewhere in these oh-so-scene dirty women's jeans."
You don't have to wait until June 5 to experience NSP live. Just head to J&Js on April 25 and get as close as you can.
If you enjoy the melodic rock of Fort Worth band the Orbans, you'll want to keep your ears open for word of a possible new release in May. They send along a rough track that will probably be part of said release: "Were Her." Here's what singer/guitarist Peter Black has to say about the track:
"'Were Her' is a song that more or less speaks to the issues that you encounter when reflecting on past personal relationships. More specifically the undeniable fact that people change and you have no control over it. The main point is that you may miss someone or something and realize that it is the past representation of that figure that you miss and not what they have become."
Damn. hate when that happens.
The Orbans, "Were Her":
I'm a sucker for this kind of song. The Orbans play next on April 25 at the Mokah Music Summit and Showcase.
I first heard the voice of singer-songwriter Dustin Morris early last year, when I reviewed his solo CD, Balance. To quote myself (I know -- gag), "He's got the necessary soul to give him enough versatility to take on folk, pop, R&B, Latin and slightly reggae arrangements with confidence."
Since then, I haven't heard much out of the Morris camp. So I was glad to see his name pop up in this week's show listings, as part of a CD release for his new(ish) band Greenstar, no less. Turns out this show will be a last Dallas hurrah of sorts for Morris, he tells me in an e-mail:
"I put together this really great, versatile band about a year ago. We played a ton of local shows and whatever, and it was truly an experience. BUT, I did this recording (with gobs of ambition) while still deeply in debt from the Balance disc. Long story short, I couldn't afford to release it for a while. During this holding period we lost our practice room, our bass player, and the guitarist just started school full time after three years off. Needless to say, we shelved the recording. 'So why the release and the reunion?' I pretend you ask. I'm taking my lady and we're moving to Colorado in about 6 weeks. I love the music scene in Denver. It seems to cater to whatever it is that I do. So I'm going to work on my beard and climb the mountains."
Dustin Morris Greenstar Band, "Lightning":
"So anyway, this tune is called 'Lightning.' It's probably a little too Beatlesesque, but that's how I was feeling that day. To be honest with you, nothing magical or brilliant inspired this song. I liked the rhythm and changes. Anything and everything can change in the blink of an eye."
See Dustin play with his band (and say goodbye) on Friday at City Tavern.
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