DURHAM, North Carolina — Beloved power-pop songwriter Peter Holsapple (from The dB’s and Continental Drifters) is self-releasing a new vinyl 45 record, “Don’t Mention the War” b/w “Cinderella Style” on his own Hawthorne Curve Records, in stores February 3, 2017. The songs will also be available for purchase as digital downloads on iTunes and other fine services online.
“Don't Mention the War” is a poignant look at one man's post-traumatic stress syndrome and how it affects his adoring nephew. With low, somber brass (Mark Daumann on tuba) and echoes of battles past, this is another engaging Holsapple story-song, steeped in dark emotions and vivid character assessment.
“Cinderella Style” doesn't sound like a typical Peter Holsapple song, but then again, is there such a thing? This delicate tune visits a darkened sewing room for a look around and a quick reminisce. Rising star Skylar Gudasz lends her flute to the recording, and the whole thing is light, clean and just a little foreboding.
To a certain type of rock fan, Peter Holsapple is on the short list of the very best in power-pop songwriting. His tuneful, scorching classics have been a mainstay of the genre since the dB’s first released “Black and White” in 1980. Covered by premier vocalists like Don Dixon, Syd Straw and Marti Jones as well as rock bands as diverse as the Troggs, the Golden Palominos, Nada Surf and Bully, Holsapple’s songs have been licensed for movies (Margot at the Wedding) and TV (Billions, 21 Jump Street).
Holsapple, based in Durham since 2006, has played extensively as a solo acoustic performer in the area, but the new tracks find him working with James Wallace (Max Indian, Phil Cook) and Mark Simonsen (The Old Ceremony). “James and Mark were willing to take the plunge and make this record with me,” says Holsapple. “They brought years of recording and arranging experience to the project, and we’re all well pleased with how the songs turned out.”
January 2016 found Holsapple, Wallace and Simonsen holed up in Mark’s studio, cutting hi-fi versions of the songs Holsapple had originally submitted as part of Radio Free Song Club, a songwriters’ collective podcast of which Holsapple is a charter member. This vinyl 45 rpm record is sure to be a collector’s item as it’s Holsapple’s first solo venture since 1993’s Out of My Way.
2017 promises a new album by Holsapple, but first things first. “I thought it might be easier to only give people a couple things to chew on, just to get my name around again. Hence, a 45.”
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For more information about Peter Holsapple, please contact Conqueroo:
Cary Baker • (323) 656-1600 • cary@conqueroo.com
