We are thrilled to be welcoming back Derek Fawcett for his second stint on the Couch this month. Coming hot off the heels of his latest album release, Derek will be playing in the rounds at Get Off The Couch as part of his national tour. Check out a live video below from last year, and then come see him in person this Sunday at The Hideout Inn. RSVP: https://facebook/events/1515504405347795/ Tix: ticketfly/purchase/event/687137 ----------- WHEN DEREK FAWCETTS BAND (CHICAGOS DOWN THE LINE) started out without a drummer, he taught himself to play the djembe (hand drum) he bought in Africa, and it became a staple of the bands signature sound. When the group needed help booking gigs, he took the reins, ultimately landing performances with Ben Folds, Peter Frampton, Lifehouse, America, Pat Benatar, Colin Hay, Gin Blossoms, and many more over their hundreds-of-thrilling-shows, 11-year, 5-album tenure. Time and again, Fawcett went to extraordinary lengths for his music, though many of those efforts were far from the spotlight. With the October 7th release of his solo debut FEEL BETTER, the breadth of Fawcetts talents are thrust where they belong: Front and center. As with other artists who forge out on their own after supporting roles (see Dave Grohl & George Harrison), Fawcetts solo debut is highly anticipated, showcases the strengths of his previous work, but boasts a full-throated, exuberant musical voice like none weve ever heard before. If you loved Down The Lines singing, songwriting, and playing, youll find a lot to love in this album, he explains. Where it departs is that Ive put down the djembe in favor of the piano, my songs go in some new stylistic directions, and there are more moments of musical chaos and disorder. Fawcetts new songs are cut from a darker cloth (with a couple rays of sunshine), and the emotional weight and impact will chill (and thrill) longtime and newfound fans alike. Fawcetts all-star cast of collaborators represent extraordinary twists of fate that speak further to the engaging and overwhelmingly collaborative energy he exudes. A friend connected him with celebrated bass player Tim Marks (Taylor Swift, Lionel Richie, Jewel, Will Kimbrough), and Marks enjoyed Fawcetts company over coffee so much that he offered to play on the album before Fawcett could even get up the nerve to ask him. Even more remarkable, FEEL BETTER producers and performers Cody Fry (Hunter Hayes, Ben Rector, Charlie Peacock) and Niko Xidas (Matt Wertz) are actually Fawcetts former music students. Niko and Cody were such strong musicians early on that I had them play with me to accompany other students. The vibe was so good even back then, that when I was figuring out who to work with on this album, I thought Id love to play with those guys again! Through digging deep in his songwriting, he has pushed his limits vocally, as well, with stunning results. Unwittingly, I kinda kicked my own butt with how challenging some of these songs are to sing and play, he admits. When we finished the vocal sessions, I felt lucky to have made it out alive! Influences on display include the contemplative playing and singing of Jackson Browne, the angst and power of Billy Joel and Tom Petty, the chaotic energy of Imagine Dragons, and the mournful warmth of James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen. Fawcetts take on the future sounds like that of a pragmatic, hard-nosed performer whos focus is rooted in the road ahead. Were all constantly striving, in one way or another, to be understood, he says. The songs on this album tell compelling, unique stories that are likely to resonate with just about anyone. My hope is that all who listen to this album will hear something that speaks to them, to the extent that it brings them joy, solace, solidarity...and hopefully, even encourages them to sing along for awhile. He is currently touring nationally to support FEEL BETTERs October 7th release.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:17:55 +0000
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