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West of Rome releases new EP!
West of Rome will release its new EP, School and Books and Trains and Leaving, with a show at the Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth, along with special guest Stall and The Black Hats, on Tuesday, April 18.
Coming on the heels of last year's Drunk Tank Decoy, West of Rome's new EP, School and Books and Leaving is a lean and mean departure. Recorded in a mere 24 hours, the 7-song disc is a stripped down and raw document – direct, loud and intimate all at the same time. Recorded in marvelous analog at Coney Island in Madison, School and Books and Trains and Leaving is West of Rome's second release on the Madison-based label Slothtrop Music.
West of Rome’s previous release, Drunk Tank Decoy, raised the band's profile with national radio play, and attention from CMJ’s college radio charts and Magnet Magazine, which featured "Breaking Glass" on its New Music comp last July. Drunk Tank Decoy was West of Rome’s first collaboration with multi-talented producer and musician Jay Bennett. Bennett, best known for his tenure in Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco, recorded, mixed, produced and performed on the record.
Later this spring, West of Rome joins bands and artists such as The Silos, Eric Ambel, Howe Gelb, The Waco Bros., Steve Wynn, Jay Bennett and regional acts such as The Carolinas, Juniper Tar, melaniejane and The Aimless Blades on the long-awaited More Barn, a Neil Young tribute record to be released on the Slothtrop Music label.
West of Rome releases new CD Drunk Tank Decoy
Madison, WI February 15, 2005 - Slothtrop Music is proud to announce the
release of "Drunk Tank Decoy," the long-awaited second release from West of
Rome. Recorded, mixed and produced by former Wilco
songwriter/instrumentalist Jay Bennett and West Of Rome's Chris DeMay,
"Drunk Tank Decoy" takes a big sonic step away from the band's 2001
critically acclaimed release, "Cranberry Sauce."
A sprawling 14-song album, "Drunk Tank Decoy," was two years in the making
and reflects the changes and life experiences of the band as they made the
record. Marriages, parenthood and the passing of parents and grandparents
all occupy the subconscious of the songs. Basic tracking for the album was
done in Bennett's suburban-Chicago basement over a long November weekend in
late 2002. After a break for touring and for Bennett's move to his Pieholden
Suite Sound studio in a Chicago loft, work on the record resumed in March
2003, with basic overdubs and mixing completed that July.
"Our songs are emotionally honest and, in them, we guarded against clichéd
lyrics and 'flavor-of-the-month' musical styles," said West Of Rome's Marc
Alberts. "And Jay's work with Wilco and other bands certainly has that
element of directness amid the beauty."
"I know Jay wasn't too sure about us at first. We were only acquaintances
when he agreed to record the album. But after the first day of tracking he
became a fan, and really jumped into the project with full Bennett aplomb,"
DeMay said.
Another reason to choose Bennett as producer was his vast collection of
vintage instruments and recording gear. All the basic tracks were recorded
on 2-inch analog tape, with many songs overdubbed and mixed back down to
1-inch and half-inch tape machines.
Using most of 2004 to shop the record, West Of Rome and "Drunk Tank Decoy"
found a perfect fit on Madison's Slothtrop Records.
"West of Rome is exactly the type of band Slothtrop is known for," said
Slothtrop Music President Eric Hester, "fantastic songwriting and stellar
musicianship. We're just happy to be a part of this fine project."
In addition to West Of Rome's lineup of DeMay on vocals and guitar, Alberts
on vocals and keyboards, Tom Cox on bass and vocals, and Andrew Beaumont on drums, Bennett came out from behind the boards to add vocals, guitars,
banjo, piano, mellotron and much more to the record. Also lending a hand or
two were Milwaukee singer/songwriter Michelle Anthony with harmony vocals
and acoustic guitar, and Chicago session musician Chris Bain on violin.
West of Rome finishes Drunk Tank Decoy
with Jay Bennett
CHICAGO-The Milwaukee- and Chicago-based alt-country quartet
West of Rome has finished its studio work with Jay Bennett
for their upcoming CD entitled, "Drunk Tank Decoy".
The new CD is the follow-up to West of Rome's 2001 release,
"Cranberry Sauce."
West of Rome began recording in November at Bennett's Pieholden
Suites Sound studio in Chicago. Bennett, former Wilco
guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, has played
on and produced albums with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Jellyfish,
Allison Moorer, Tim Easton, Billy Joe Shaver and Tommy Keene,
as well as Wilco's last three albums, including last year's
highly acclaimed "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."
Basic tracks for 16 songs were recorded in November, with
Bennett joining West of Rome on piano and guitar for several
songs. West of Rome will release its CD on February 15, 2005.
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