 |
|
Drawing from classic songsters like Brian Wilson to basement recording mavericks like Elliot Smith, Jeremy Messersmith writes small, thoughtfully crafted songs. Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jeremy's latest record, The Alcatraz Kid, features memorable lyrics and irresistible melodies in a bargain basement wrapper. Originally hailing from the deserts of southern Washington State, Jeremy moved to Minneapolis in 1999 and studied music at North Central University, eventually graduating in 2002. An audit of a songwriting course sparked Jeremy's interest in songwriting and soon he began to experiment with styles and genres. After playing in a few local bands, Messersmith started playing solo shows in the fall of 2004 and handing out free copies of his music: intriguingly packaged in a brown paper bag. The Paper Bag soon caught the attention of Minneapolis based Princess Records, who released the long awaited full length record in Fall 2006. Jeremy is currently touring to support The Alcatraz Kid as well as working on a follow up record with local producer Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Trip Shakespeare). Blurbs About a week and a half ago I decided that Jeremy Messersmith, on the
strength of his tuneful, self-produced, Elliott Smith-influenced debut
album, The Alcatraz Kid, was the premiere under-30 singer-songwriter in
the Twin Cities. Imagine Elliott Smith driving in a convertible, the wind flying through
his hair, singing about sadness and somehow creating joy enough to forget
his troubles for a while. Newcomer Jeremy Messersmith should quickly turn some heads with his sophisticated,
downbeat pop debut, "The Alcatraz Kid," out this week on Princess
Records. The CD is full of literate, languid but warm acoustic ditties
with traces of Elliott Smith and the "Garden State" and "The
Royal Tenenbaums" soundtracks. Charming local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith, who is reminiscent
of a less-morose Elliott Smith, debuts his new disc, "The Alcatraz
Kid." His record, easily one of the best local releases of the year, proves
that his songwriting abilities measure up to the beauty of his captivating,
ethereal voice. Not knowing what to expect from this CD, Messersmith suprised me with
some great songs. I like the low key production, melodic vocal lines and
it's simplicity which makes my ears happy. Jeremy Messersmith is a singer songwriter taking on the ideals of minimalism
with his simple story telling style ala Elliot Smith. His most recent
recording an EP that comes stamped and wrapped in a brown paper bag "The
Paper Bag EP" is filled with intimate moments, pop hooks and thoughtfully
crafted songs. Jeremy Messersmith is one of the best songwriters in Minneapolis, but
nobody knows it yet. That will change soon I hope. Unabashedly drawing on the melodic and lyric creativity of Brian Wilson,
Minneapolis' Jeremy Messersmith has created a small EP of no minor consequence.
Self-produced recordings demonstrating such simple, cohesive beauty are
immensely rare. Messersmith aims high on his content and production and
seems to consistently hit almost every mark. For those of us still attached
to our old tape machines, Messersmith's 'Paper Bag EP' is perhaps the
best defense I've yet heard for the power and quality of clever, low-budget
digital recording and production. He's the reincarnation of Elliott Smith, but add some Beach Boys and
a little bit of Eels, and just his own heartbreaking melancholy, and you've
got it. Beautiful songwriting. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |