Join Soulive Friday and Saturday night for a special #Bowlive Couch Tour. We’ll be streaming the final two shows live from Brooklyn Bowl at www.Nugs.tv.
Fri. June 16 w/ George Porter Jr., Marcus King +The Shady Horns
Sat. June 17 w/ Nigel Hall + The Shady Horns
Keeping up with Eric Krasno, the co-founder of Lettuce and Soulive, can be a difficult endeavor. The musician has shredded the guitar with his two bands for years, and he’s still basking in the glow of his latest solo effort, Blood From a Stone. Never a man to rest on his laurels, Krasno is now gearing up for a busy summer.
The Grammy-winning guitarist recently released “Recovery,” a new single with Gramatik. He’s also in the middle of Soulive’s annual residency at the Brooklyn Bowl (appropriately dubbed Bowlive), and there’s a concept album in the works as well.
Krasno’s list of collaborators over the years is impressive. From the Rolling Stones to The Roots to Norah Jones and Aaron Neville, musicians obviously love whatever Krasno is putting out. One only has to look at the guest artists for this week’s Bowlive shows to know the level of Krasno’s musical friendships. On Thursday, June 15, John Scofield will sit in with the band. On Friday, June 16, New Orleans legendary bassist George Porter Jr. will join Soulive.
All in a day’s work for Krasno and company.
“We’ve worked together a bunch over the last few years, and [Gramatik and I] released a song called ‘Torture’ a few years ago,” Krasno said in a recent phone interview. “Every once in a while he checks in with me. He comes around my studio, and I play him a bunch of music. It was kind of the same process this time. I played him some stuff I’m working on. I have a concept album in the works, and one of the songs was called ‘Recovery.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, man, I would love to make a version of this song with you.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, cool.’”
Krasno supplied Gramatik with files featuring vocals and guitar work, and then Gramatik developed an original version of the tune.
“I loved it, and this was like only a couple months ago,” he said. “[Gramatik] decided to release it right away, and I was game. Also we have a few other songs in the works that we had worked on maybe six months ago or so, so we were getting together to try and piece together an EP. It was funny because that song, ‘Recovery,’ he just grabbed it right there and within a few days had this version. He was like, ‘Man, we’ve got to put this out.’ I was like, ‘Go for it. Let’s do it.’ Hopefully this jumpstarts the rest of the project.”
“Recovery” will also be featured on Krasno’s upcoming concept album, albeit a completely different version. “It’ll sound really different,” he said. “It’ll have the same chorus and the same words but kind of a different approach to it.”
This type of collaboration, either working live or in the recording studio, is what makes music interesting to Krasno. He loves teaming up with other writers, singers and instrumentalists. “I love to learn from all of them, and kind of absorb a little bit of what they do and try to take a little bit of that with me,” he said. “That’s been huge for me. I’ve learned so much from the people that I’ve been able to work with.”
As these new chapters open up in Krasno’s professional life, he’s also still enjoying the lingering effects of his last big project, Blood From a Stone. That solo effort tested him, for sure. He needed write those songs and build a band to present them in the studio and on tour. This many months after its release, Krasno can say he’s happy with the results.
“We had great shows, great response,” he said. “We still have a lot of festivals this summer and a few dates in the fall, but, yeah, I’m really happy with it. And the response from it has been great. It’s really prepared me for this next album that I’m working on now. The whole making of the last record was awesome, but it was a little all over the place because I was trying to find my voice literally and trying all these different things. … This concept album I’m working on, I kind of have … a concise vision. It’s really exciting, and now I’m really ready to jump into finishing it and then probably get back out there and tour again with the new material.”
Balancing all of these professional projects can be a difficult, but welcome, obstacle. The Soulive band members have largely been finishing up different projects, but they are able to get together and gig around once in a while.
For Lettuce, Krasno comes and goes from the band he co-founded. “Those guys are really cool about me jumping in at certain times and then other times doing my other stuff, so I work with great people who kind of understand the idea of doing a lot of different things,” he said. “With Soulive, in particular, we all branch off and do other things. When we get back together, we’re kind of really excited to play again. We’re also kind of bringing these different influences from the other projects we’re working on and stuff.”
Those influences include the likes of Scofield and Porter, and Krasno is simply amazed he’s able to share a stage with these guest artists. “John Scofield is definitely one of my heroes, so anytime I play with him, I try to absorb as much as I can,” Krasno said. “Absolutely I learn from them. That’s one of the elements of Bowlive that I love is learning from the guests and getting to work with my heroes. It’s huge.”
Out Today, June 2nd, Via Gramatik's Lowtemp
STREAM & SHARE HERE | DOWNLOAD HERE
"It's got a vintage swing, sure, but the bass kicks are too future. Vocalist and guitarist Eric Krasno sings soulful inspiration to anyone who's struggling to get their mind, body, or heart back on the right track." - BILLBOARD
Eric Krasno is having some kind of year. The Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, guitarist, vocalist and label-head, celebrated for his work as a founding member of Soulive and Lettuce, has been playing sold out shows and major festivals across the U.S. in support of his acclaimed solo album, Blood From A Stone. The collection was released via his label, Feel Music, which has also delivered albums by The London Souls and Nigel Hall. Meanwhile, as a producer, his work with Aaron Neville, Lawrence, The Motet and others has only further established his reputation as one of the music world's most prolific, multi-dimensional artists.
With an epic 2016 behind him, Gramatik is in the midst of the next chapter, and 2017 is already just as wild. Last year he impressed fans and critics alike with the new album, Epigram and its subsequent remix EP featuring a number of Gramatik's favorite producers. To kick off 2017, Gramatik released a new collaboration with GRiZ, titled, "As We Proceed," that has clocked in over one million plays on Soundcloud since its January release.
Keeping the momentum going for both artists, Gramatik is now releasing another single entitled "Recovery," this time with with close friend and collaborator, vocalist/guitarist Eric Krasno. Out today via Gramatik's label Lowtemp, "Recovery" came into existence after a leg injury Gramatik sustained that required a break from his intense touring schedule. The time off the road allowed Gramatik to return his focus on writing, testing new ideas, and producing a host of new music. For "Recovery," the release has a more traditional arrangement than what we are generally used to in electronic dance music, so Gramatik made sure the tone of this one is set right from the get go. The track opens with a blissful, 50s' musical instrumentation, and then jumps right into the first verse with no long build-ups. Krasno was responsible for the straight-to-the-point lyrics that don't hide behind unnecessary metaphors, and he also provided the vocals, as well as, his signature guitar playing.
As for how the track came to be, Gramatik simply states "Kraz and I are in 'Recovery' from 'Torture'"—a reference to the pair's first collaboration together. According to Krasno, "Recovery" began as a part of his larger concept album until Gramatik got an ear on it: "'Recovery'" is a track I initially wrote as part of a concept album I've been working on (coming early 2018). Gramatik heard it and instantly wanted to work on it. He had been through an intense leg injury and really related to the hook of the song. He then flipped it on its head in the best way possible. I love working with him; his tracks always feel and sound amazing. We have also have a few more tracks in the works."
As for what's next, it's yet to be known what will become of the many tracks Gramatik created during his time off the road, but stay tuned as those hard-drives are sure to come to light. You can also catch Gramatik live around the world from Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheater to Paris' Zenith through fall 2017. Find all Gramatik tour dates here. For Krasno, he'll be touring with his band and gearing up for a Soulive residency (Bowlive) at Brooklyn Bowl in June. More info on Krasno's tour dates here.
via Billboard
“After Torture comes Recovery,” so reads the message from Gramatik that comes with his latest single. The genre-blending producer recently messed up his leg real bad, and while he was stuck healing, he took the opportunity to get serious work done in the studio.
Following “As We Proceed,” “Recovery” is something different for the heads. It opens with orchestral strings and piano in the style of a '50s musical, but ain't nothing dated about the groove that follows. It's got a vintage swing, sure, but the bass kicks are too future. Vocalist Eric Krasno sings soulful inspiration to anyone who's struggling to get their mind, body, or heart back on the right track.
“Recovery” is a real cool, laid-back tune for your lazy summer afternoons. It foreshadows some kind of larger release. Whether it's an EP or full-length album remains to be seen. “Recovery” is out everyone Friday, June 2, on Lowtemp Records, but you can listen to it below, exclusively on Billboard Dance.
Earlier this year, the Eric Krasno Band contributed a track to a special Amazon Music playlist. Amazon assembled two new playlists original music for Valentine’s season--one for lovers (Love Me) and one for haters (Love Me Not). Krasno and company offered “'Love Is Strong” to the former playlist, which streamed exclusively on Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music. Today we premiere the official video for “Love Is Strong,” which Krasno explains, “was written with Dave Gutter during the Blood From A Stone album recording sessions. Once we started touring with Eric Krasno Band, I dug it up because I thought [backing vocalist] Mary Corso would really own it. And she hit it out of the park! It's now a staple in our live set.”
The Eric Krasno Band will be on tour over the months to come including stops at the Summer Camp, Strange Creek, Peach and Lockn’ festivals.
As we inch closer to the summer, more and more shows are being added to the mix for Phish‘s massive Baker’s Dozen residency at Madison Square Garden. With a seemingly endless amount of late night shows and pre-parties already announced, today we are happy to announce a new late night show that pairs one of New York’s biggest musical heavy hitters with one of the city’s most talented up-and-coming performers. The Eric Krasno Band will perform a special late night concert at The Cutting Room on Friday, August 4th, and they will be joined by special guests the Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band.
Krasno needs no introduction, as he has been essentially running NYC for years, making his name as a founding member of Soulive and Lettuce while developing himself into one of the most in-demand guitar players in the city. His solo band has been on the road for some time now, delivering material from his solo album Blood From a Stone alongside a few choice Grateful Dead covers that have allowed he and his band to stretch out into the improvisational space where he shines the brightest. Kraz recently built The Daze Between Band show during Jazz Fest, and is also known for his prowess as a bandleader as the musical director for several SuperJams at Bonnaroo and the PowWow at Okeechobee. At this point, Kraz is one of the best pound-for-pound talents in the game, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the table for this special late night performance.
Brandon “Taz” Niederauer should be no stranger, since, at this point, he has cemented himself as a rising star. Niederauer, still only 14 years old, was discovered by Butch Trucks, mentored by Col. Bruce Hampton, and has been cutting his teeth the past two years as one of the stars of the smash hit Broadway musical School of Rock. Niederauer and his band have been making the rounds as of late, hitting New York venues like American Beauty, The Iridium, The Blue Note, and a headline play at The Cutting room earlier this year.
SHOW DETAILS
Who: The Eric Krasno Band w/ The Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band
Where: The Cutting Room
When: Friday, August 4th, 2017
Doors: 11:30pm doors, show at 12:00am (technically early morning 8/5)
Tickets: $20 advance / $25 day of show
via Memphis Flyer
Eric Krasno, the guitarist and founding member of Soulive and Lettuce, is bringing his new band to Minglewood Hall on April 26th supporting Gov’t Mule, and it may be a case of the opener alone being worth the price of admission.
Krasno made his name in the rock-and-roll business as a guitarist and producer, but Blood from a Stone, his first album as a singer and front man, makes a strong case that his place is behind a microphone. With Blood from a Stone, Krasno crafted an album that embraces the common ground between funk, soul, and the blues, and for good measure, he’s thrown in some cosmic gypsy-soul of the Van Morrison Astral Weeks variety.
Blood from a Stone has yielded some stellar singles so far, amalgamations of vital elements of soul, funk, and blues. On “Jezebel,” the drums’ syncopated shuffle, light on hi-hat hits, paired with a soul-style strumming pattern give the song a sultry, tropical feel that sets it apart from the regional blues styles more common in the Bluff City. This isn’t Beale Street blues or Delta blues. Though the song’s lyrics — with mentions of both heaven and hell and of the devil and the titular Jezebel — embrace blues themes of temptation and salvation, the Biblical language coupled with the desert imagery of Blood from a Stone and the recurring motifs of smoke, fire, and open eyes in the song’s music video call to mind visions of exotic locations and ancient mysticism.
As with “Jezebel,” the music video for “On the Rise” begins with a shot of an eye opening, set against a black background. The bass riff, pushed to the forefront, is a pulsing groove, propelling the song, and the funk and jazz influences from Lettuce and Soulive are suddenly glaringly obvious. Krasno pours his vocals over the track, a smooth stream of soulful melody, making it clear that this guitarist is equally comfortable behind a microphone.
Get to Minglewood early on Wednesday night for a taste of soul, funk, jazz, and six shades of the blues. Before Gov’t Mule tear the roof off with their Southern-fried rock, Krasno and his band are sure to bring the groove.
Gov’t Mule with Eric Krasno at Minglewood Hall, Wednesday, April 26th at 8 p.m. $30-35.
Q: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Connecticut (suburbs on NYC). My dad commuted to the city everyday.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?
I knew when I was about 15 that I wanted to play music and hopefully make a living at it. I was obsessed with Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin at the time and wanted to be in a band so bad.
Q: You’ve worked with Norah Jones, 50 Cent, Aaron Neville..what has it been like being able to work with music legends?
It’s been an honor to work with so many great musicians. I’ve discovered that many of them are great people as well. Producing/writing Aaron Neville’s album was a dream come true. I went from super fan to close friend, very thankful for that experience.
Q: What was it like winning Grammys for working on “Already Free” and “Revelator?”
I’ve been friends with Derek and Susan for a long time. I absolutely love them and working with them is always a blast. I am very proud to be a part of their records.
Q: Why did you decide to release a solo CD?
I started writing songs for the record in 2012 with my good friend and co-writer Dave Gutter. We wrote and recorded a bunch of songs that summer up in Maine, a lot of the ‘demos’ are actually the versions you hear on the album.
Q: How hard was it stepping into the spotlight after previously being a part of a group or being behind the scenes?
It was nerve racking at first to step out front. But as I’ve doing more shows it’s become more natural to me. I am very thankful to have a killer band of players…all of which can also step out front at anytime.
Q: What is your song “On The Rise” about?
On The Rise is kind of a call to arms. It’s a psychedelic pep talk haha. I encourage everyone to watch the animated video if they like the song. It’s on YouTube. I feel that it totally captures the vibe of the song.
Q: What is your favorite song off your debut CD, and why?
I think I like On The Rise the best because it sounds original. Like it’s own genre in a way. My new record I’m working on now kinda continues where that song left off.
Q: Are you excited about your show next week in Baltimore?
I’m very excited to play Baltimore! Always a great energy there!