Tom Evanchuck strikes a chord with three new records

Written by Priscilla Tasker

At only 22 years old, one knows Tom Evanchuck could not have lived all the tales he sings, but he tells them better than most ever could. He’s drawn from the greatest storytellers of eras gone by, the music of our mothers’ and fathers’ time, and the tunes their parents tapped to before that.  The air of an ageless soul flows in his music and strikes a listener still.

Better known as an acoustic folk artist around the Greater Cleveland area, Evanchuck is reshaping the mold with his first electric record, Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks, and still holding true to the sound that has captured fans — not only from the local scene, but beyond Ohio’s state line — with the simultaneous release of his third acoustic album, Fadin’ Glow.

Fadin’ Glow

In Evanchuck’s traditional fashion, Fadin’ Glow is a patchwork of stories sung over an undulating acoustic guitar. But breaking away from the mirthful melodies heard on Tom, Fadin’ Glow is a collection of somber chanties. While the record starts with “Sunshine,” an upbeat rockabilly jive with an optimistic message about taking life as it rolls, the record’s title song is a brief, lonesome ballad encapsulating the silent moments of a heart aching in hope. Leah McCoy’s innocently sweet vocals complement the depth of Evanchuck’s own on the song “Fadin’ Glow,” as well as several other tracks featured on the album including “Glory,” a matrimonial love duet with the potential to steal the hearts of brides across the country picking out their perfect wedding songs.

Evanchuck said his writing for this album was more personal than his previous work. “All My Friends” is true down to the very last verse, he said. In the song, he candidly expresses his sentiment regarding his brother’s departure to the Navy, warbling, “They call it a tin can, for a grown man, the office of the sea. I say, those thievens stole my brother, and it’s a while ‘til he’s free.” 

“The development of my writing has gone from strictly wanting to write story songs to more personal writing. It’s matured in many ways,” Evanchuck said. 

However, his broad stock of songs is evidence that Evanchuck is a storyteller at the core. Fadin’ Glow’s third track “Everett” is a brazen western-style fable that tells the tale of an unscrupulous character who steals the life of another man and makes it his own only to be caught.

“My mind is somewhat of a scary place,” Evanchuck laughed.

The record ends with the low-tumbling strain “Somebody’s Got To,” a prelude to the electric release.

Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks

Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks picks up where Fadin’ Glow left off, with a charged reprise of “Somebody’s Got To.” The electric-infused record signals Evanchuck’s crossover from humble folk singer to bonafide rock musician. The album is an ode to Americana. Hints of blues and gospel permeate through distorted guitar riffs, going back to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll.

“Take Me Back” is a carefree anthem one-way bound to make you want to forget responsibility and hit the open road. Drummer Anthony Evanchuck kickstarts the song with a Texas shuffle rat-a-tat that drives the energy of the roving guitar over Patrick Jenkin’s gravel bass line and straight on through Will Nolan’s wild organ interludes.

The band switches up the tempo on “Long, Long Ohio,” a steady-building tribute to the unchanging comfort of home peppered with simple, percussive tambourine taps beneath melodic guitar murmurs. 

“I love Otis Redding, Ray Charles, and Lightning Hopkins — that old bluesy sound mixed with Motown. Basically, if I could sing like an old black man, I would,” Evanchuck said of his inspiration for both the electric and acoustic releases.

Dwelling on the fight to surrender to lover’s adoration, Evanchuck feigns the fervor of Charles’ “Georgia On My Mind” as he cries out for “Peace of Mind” on the aptly titled blues, doo-wop tune. The song, he said, is “basically telling the girl, she knows and you know — so just give in. Find that peace of mind.” 

The good-time spirit of Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks makes it a fitting summer soundtrack. With the collaboration of talented musicians backing Evanchuck on this album, his newfound sound ascends to a class of music lost in your parents’ record collections.

Fadin’ Glow and Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks were both recorded by Division Sound and are available on iTunes and Amazon. The three-song EP, Nebby Thomas and Zrenner Lewis, which Evanchuck recorded with Bad Racket Recording Studios and launched in advance of the dual release, is available on CDBaby and Amazon.

Editor’s note: For an optimal listening experience, begin with Nebby Thomas and Zrenner Lewis, follow with Fadin’ Glow and end with Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks.

Follow Tom Evanchuck and The Old Money on 

Facebook and Twitter. 

Read more on Tom Evanchuck in these Rhythm Report articles:

• "TOM" beyond the Evanchuck: An interview with The Old Money
• United We Stand: Evanchuck, Red Wanting Blue

Also, check out photos of the band's summer festival junket in Ohio in 

The Rhythm Report's Facebook albums: 

• Painesville's Party in the Park 
• 6ixth City Tech Fest

Make Tom Happy

Tom is sad. His brother, Kyle, can not make it to his show. It's a special show -- Tom's dual CD release party. I'll bet it would cheer him up to see you there.

Tom Evanchuck: A Dual CD Release
May 21, 2011 - 6:30 p.m.

Beachland Tavern
15711 Waterloo Rd.
Cleveland, Ohio

Song: Periscope Depth by Tom Evanchuck
Album: Fadin' Glow 
Produced by Division Sound

Visit www.tomevanchuck.com for more information.

This video was filmed and edited by The Rhythm Report's video production unit, De los angeles Productions.

Audio interview: Winslow's Maurice Martin talks about recording with Grammy award-winning producer, summer tour and more

Photo courtesy of lesley.anne.k photo | design
www.lesleyannek.com

Maurice Martin of Winslow sat down to an interview with The Rhythm Report to launch the band’s 2011 summer press tour. The neo-soul group from Akron, Ohio, is following in the footsteps of the region’s most recent musical successes, The Black Keys and Jessica Lea Mayfield, who have both penetrated the national pop scene.

Winslow recently recorded the first single of its sophomore album with Grammy award-winning producer Edwin “Tony” Nicholas. “Quarter life” was featured on Nicholas’ national compilation, Stimuli New Music, a Sony RED promotional album launched with the distribution of 10,000 copies to record stores countrywide on Record Store Day 2011. This distinguishing opportunity is only one of many the band has encountered since its founding. 

In previous years, the band collaborated with renowned Parliament Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrel on Crazy Kind of Love, Winslow’s debut album released in 2008. The group has shared the stage with Lupe Fiasco and Average White Band, opened for Incubus and Earth, Wind and Fire on the side stage at the late Tower City Ampitheater, among performing with an array of other iconic musicians. Yet, the six-piece ensemble seems to be the local success that music fans in Northeast Ohio never seem to have heard. Thus, leading Winslow, a band that has toured from New York to Chicago to Florida, and everywhere in between, to turn its focus to its home turf. 

“First and foremost, we’re trying to get out around Ohio,” Martin says. “We haven’t played a ton in Ohio over the last six months because we’ve been writing.  So, it’s going to be really cool ... We’re starting off with just Ohio.”

The unique style of music Winslow creates is the leading factor in the band’s success. They’ve developed a heavily soul-based sound melded with jazz, rock and funk. However, Martin says it is also what hinders the group from making an initial connection with some audiences, especially in areas like Cleveland and Akron where rock and indie-folk dominate the music scene. 

“We’re a fusion of a lot of different sounds, a lot of different styles. And I think that the fact that we’re different is, in some ways, a negative thing at first because people want you to be in a category that they can nicely put in the shelf. And unfortunately, we’re not that,” Martin said. “But I also think that that’s maybe why there’s an element of our music that’s refreshing.”

The group plans to use “The Winslow Chronicles” as a means of helping local audiences, as well as fans abroad, get to know the band. It’s a web series Winslow began recording in 2009. Episodes follow the musicians behind the scenes at a college campus and city festival to highlight what happens backstage at a Winslow show. 

“Well, you know, ‘The Winslow Chronicles’ has been something we have been trying to get going for the last couple of years, and it seems that every time we start it then something happens, and we’re not able to put out all the episodes we want to. So we’re committed this time to really getting down to the nitty gritty,” Martin said. “Really, what it’s about is that we want people to get to know us, get to know what we do backstage, get a chance to see some of the shows they can’t make it to.” 

In the next year, Martin said, the band will film studio features to let fans hear new material first and expose them to Winslow’s dream for the future.

“We want to be able to play music for a living. That’s thing number one. I mean, we want to be those people that you see that are able to pay for their car, pay for their house, pay to take care of their family -- and they do it all through music. Whether it’s writing, or playing a show, or any of the various things that go along with music, that’s step number one,” according to Martin.

Listen to the full interview with Winslow’s Martin in the Rhythm Report exclusive podcast below.

The Rhythm Report interview Maurice Martin of Winslow by TheRhythmReport

Winslow is opening for The Right Now tonight, May 8, at Beachland Tavern. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The featured guest is Cleveland’s funky hip-hop ensemble Vitium. 


Written by Priscilla Tasker, editor and creator of The Rhythm Report

Video: Humble Home plays Musica with Adam Arcuragi, Cameron McGill

Humble Home played Musica in Akron April 26 alongside internationally touring act The Lupine Chorale Society Under the Direction of Adam Arcuragi and Chicago-original Cameron McGill and What Army.

The show was a jubilee of fine American indie-folk, pulling in a good-sized crowd for an early weeknight performance. Each artists’ songs addressed variations of human emotion on stage; off stage there was an air of camaraderie and excitement to be joined for the occasion. 

If you missed the show, check out this 13-minute video for a taste of the night. Starting with Adam Arcuragi's Springsteen-esque energy and vocals as the band performs "Broken Throat," the video transitions into Humble Home intoning "Wallpaper" and ends with a solemn acoustic performance by Cameron McGill.

Editor’s note: The Lupine Chorale Society Under the Direction of Adam Arcuragi commonly also goes by Adam Arcuragi & The Lupine Chorale Society.

Article written by Priscilla Tasker, editor and creator of The Rhythm Report
Video filmed and edited by Priscilla Tasker, De los angeles Productions

Winslow to open for The Right Now May 8

Akron’s original soul-fusion band Winslow will be sharing the Beachland Tavern stage with nationally touring R&B ensemble The Right Now and Cleveland-based Vitium on Sunday, May 8. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Winslow recently released its latest single, “Quarter Life,” produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Edwin “Tony” Nicholas, who is acclaimed for his work with legendary stars Barry White, Gerald Levert, Mary J Blige and Joe. The song is featured on Nicholas’ national compilation, “Stimuli New Music,” a Sony RED promotional record. Ten thousand copies of the album launched at record stores across the U.S. on April 16. 

“Quarter Life” provides a first listen into Winslow’s much-anticipated sophomore album, expected for release in the next year. The band believes this album will encompass its growth, continued passion, as well as show that the best is yet to come, according to frontman Maurice Martin.

For more information about Winslow, The Right Now or the show at Beachland Ballroom, check out these websites:

www.winslowsoul.com

www.therightnow.com

www.beachlandballroom.com/calendar.asp?Page=2 


The Rhythm Report last caught Winslow at the Maid Myriad CD release party for A Fool's Delight in December 2010. Watch this video to see the band perform "Every Day."