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It's Your Parade

by Surplus Cheaper Hands

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  • Streaming + Download

    PRESS / MEDIA REVIEWS / AWARDS:

    #10 on Top Twenty Favorite Colorado Albums of 2011
    by Scott Foley of Routes & Branches -KRFC Radio -(10 Dec, 2011)

    Westword -"Moovers and Shakers of 2011"
    Annual Year End List of Favorite Local Releases

    Nominated for Best Band -Roots Rock Genre in 2011.
    2011 Westword Music Awards & Showcase
    -Editor, Westword (a Village Voice Media publication)

    Denver Post -"Christiansen’s debut release under this moniker — includes contributions from such local notables as Eric Shiveley, Tim Mallot of the Hollyfelds, John Waggoner and Tony Burke of Ten Cent Redemption, “Goose” Guzman of the Mighty 18 Wheeler and many more. But don’t worry — all those stars don’t outshine the sad, simple beauty of Christiansen’s songs."
    -Eryc Eyl, Denver Post Reverb (April 3, 2011)

    "His songs can only be what happens when you've hit a tipping point, and some higher power gives you the tools to convey something bigger than you are. His songs are the real real thing."
    Eric Shiveley, Eric Shiveley Music Net

    THE GOODS:

    Complete 7 track album in hi fidelity, high resolution audio- mastered by Jim Wilson and Larry Nix, recorded at Silo Sound Studios.

    Artwork by Carlos Michael Finn, liner notes - included in download.


    My personal notes on making the album and tracks--
    It was a session album with a premise:
    Making a record with the condition no one among the recording ensemble is allowed to hear the songs in advance has a few requirements. Foremost on that list is finding talented musicians willing to take that risk. Trusting they are caring and patient friends that tolerate your song writing closely follows. But more than that, the folks you choose have to carry the music with them, needing only the prodding of the barebones soul of a song, a good hook, or a nice melody to coax them into opening up a guitar case or start pounding out a rhythm. I came to believe songs exist outside us. We are perhaps just conduits left to interpret them . Surplus Cheaper Hands was a project designed to reveal just how differently these songs are heard and performed by artists in a session. Add an incubator for art like Macy Sound Studios and a diligent engineer in Nick Sullivan, and you have a good chance of capturing some moments where it all works.

    Track Notes:


    I’m Your Man

    A few friends said it was the best song I’d ever written. So if figured I’d let one of them bring it to life and get back to making music with him after a few years walkin different paths. John Waggoner brought some friends- Tony Burke from Ten Cent Redemtpion and Tim Mallot of the Hollyfelds along. I put it in the engineering and production hands of Eric Shiveley, and we recorded it in a few hours in John’s living room near Washington Park. Not everything in life merits all your resources. Save your silver bullets, I always say…spent one in the form of folks always willing to help me over the years-and this cast was just what the song called for. Eric can do more with one mic and his porta studio than you can imagine. Magic.

    Restless Heart

    I’d been trying to write this song for my daughter for a few years, and when I finally hit on the groove and riff I was looking for, I called my trusted Three Miles West crew in so it wouldn’t get lost in translation. James Lovelace felt the drum groove instantly, Todd Divel delivered some stellar guitar work, and Robert Goose Guzman from the Mighty Eighteen Wheeler worked his genius on bass. I approached legendary steel player John Macy with it, he put the icing on it. T D Davis emerged as my go to guy for the rest of the record, crafting a subtle but essential baritone groove and firing up a Hammond B3. Proud of this one, and hope Hannah loves it…love you, daughter of mine.

    Baby, It’s Gonna Be Your Year

    Got stranded in Caslte Rock and couldn’t make it home for the Holidays, and wrote this one to take the chill off New Years Eve apart from the family. Had lots of friends walking out of some bad relationships, and decided since I couldn’t splurge for gifts or be cheery enough to compensate.- This was the best I could give them. T D Davis heard it, took charge of the collective session and arranged the song for piano in an hour. The cast of James again on drums, Ryan Chrys on Guitar, John Statz, and Goose followed where the muse took them. I never envisioned it like this, but fell in love with a piano driven interpretation of this song. Have a monster crush for a gal named Melanie Hoshiko, who was on hand to hang out during the sessions…decided to see if the girl could sing. We were all a bit floored by her voice. Collective sessions and spontaneity have their own energy, and this crew wanted to make this song at this moment. All the better for it.

    Your Parade

    Decided a roots session was in order, and had this song in reserve. After a quick listen to my walk thru, John Statz and T D Davis layed out some great acoustic work. I invited Statz along for the ride because it felt right up his alley. Great rythm work, clean and woodsy. I invited Mark Kosta of New Ben Franklins to find a solid drum groove. We recorded it in short session but I felt I lacked something. Note to the boys in the band, your whispers in the studio were audible. For the record, it didn’t take much pushing. Message received loud and bell clear-I handed the song to Melanie Hoshiko for vocal duties and it came back to life. Great voices can be like that, reviving melodies that ease a chaos we create. David Devoe of New Ben Franklins helped add a few telecaster licks to make it moody. Love how willing he is to lay back and let a song work him. Love this one.


    Self Portrait

    Wrote this five or six years ago. One of the first songs I had ever written. Guitarist Todd Divel was always passionate about getting this song on tape. Mark Kosta cleared the hurdle that always kept it from happening…a drum groove and nice brush work. Let Todd go off leash and just play. That is when he shines. T D Davis stepped up, Layered in some acoustics with magic tunings and some baritone guitar. I loved the intense depth, driving desperation, and hope laden sparkle they found in this lament. Heartfelt.



    Dark Passenger

    I’ve had a low or two in the past. Who hasn’t? Was watching Dexter on television, saw a remarkable scene that described a few demons we all harbor. Walked into my home studio and it just flowed out. Decided to take the crew to Monument Sound Studios for a session. I asked Dave Devoe to help fashion a weird vibe. With Johnny again on guitar, Goose on Bass, and Mark Kosta on Drums, they constructed a moody and swirling rendition that fit the intent. Monument engineer Chris Andrews knew what we were after, and gave it depth and character to plant the seed. We took the song over to Macy Sound and T D Davis and John added some more vibe to it. I had so much to work with after everyone layed down some inspiration that it took me a month just to produce the version I wanted. When you write something and need to say it clearly, sometimes a translator is in order. Dave Devoe and Johnny said it for me. Until then, it felt stuck inside a slightly out of tune Guild guitar and a voice warbly with some pain very close to home.


    Driving, Just as Fast as I Can

    After wrapping up a session I looked at a tired crew that had just brought a few songs to life. Dutch was hangin out offering his enthusiasm. Always wanted to play a smokey roadhouse with this cat on drums. Saw Ryan Chrys putting his guitar cables away. Saw a Hammon Organ in the corner, T D sitting on the bench. Snagged Todd Divel from his soldering iron on an old MCI mixing console he was restoring. Taught them a little number I was writing on the spot. Tom Oberheide of New Ben Franklins ditched the banjo and headed straight for the pedal steel. Figured we had all worked real hard, time to cut loose and have some fun. Man, this would be one fun crew to take on the road thru Hill Country. Hell, anywhere for that matter. Had to put this outtake on the record. Music can just happen every now and then.

    Album done. Show at the soiled dove april 15th with this ensemble, hoping to let you witness the energy in person, one last time -and pick up the record for sentimental visits. I would love that.

    -russ
    ... more
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1.
I'm Your Man 05:08
----------I'm Your Man-------------- Midnite train from California if you're slow enough, hop on board you the bible beaters they're forewarned, yeah about the blackest parts and that's exactly where i am i aint strong enough to pick you up ...deep enough to fill your cup and if i had you here, it wouldnt be enought just the same old things we're used to gettting buried unitl they're out of view like the same old fires you once denied I'm Your Man the darkness breaks just past Sedona If you aint careful son, it will own you I did some things she wont condone of But I'm a changed man, I swear by my right hand now i'm strong enough to pick you up deep enough, to fill your cup and if i had you here, it would be enough of the same old things we're used to getting buried until they're out of view just like the same old fires that you once denied I'm Your Man
2.
don't look off i didn't mean to stare at you but it's been so long i don't recognize you are a miracle i need you here here so i can care for you but i wont give you these unnecessary arms how you gonna hold onto a restless heart you'll come up for air before you fall apart guess i should have known it wasn't yours at the start before it came down to you, and your restless heart yeah, before its down don't push me off i didn't mean to scare you but i've been so lost i fell off the edge of america i need you here i'm someone who could carry you and i won't give you these unnecessary arms how you gonna hold onto your restless heart you'll come up for air before you fall apart someone should have shown your love's a subtle art before its down to you, and your restless heart 'cause a heart, it knows when it is not the only one and a heart, it knows when it is being stolen from and a heart, it knows when it has found a home
3.
they say he got the best of you and he took it somehow you never say those words but i feel you tremble when he's around it's not the sort of thing you talk about these walls have ears but honey you could still stop a clock i think your time is coming and now it's here baby, i think it's gonna be your year they say the ones you love ain't the ones you should choose one will mend your heart where the other left a bruise you're losing next to nothing when you leave this one behind honey, you still got that something i think you're gonna find the coast is clear baby, it's gonna be your year baby, its gonna be your year its been a long time coming now its here like the one's that you find on those good old bottles of wine this one is gonna be your year baby, its gonna be your year your turn to take the wheel now and steer 'cause 2010 it came screaming around the bend but baby, this one - it's gonna be your year don't let him say he got the best of you.
4.
Your Parade 03:06
the heart is a half lit hotel where drunkards and tourists dwell no vacancy sign up on the wall i stare at her like an accident i must admit it was time well spent she said, "i wish we'd met before your fall" 'cause after all you and i were made to count lucky stars and dance upon their graves but more than tail lights are gonna fade if you don't stay love, dear, it's only for the brave but..it's your parade yeah, it's your parade you might yearn for the open road baby, that is a heavy load i'm not the one to make a call gravity has had its way with you seems it is lonely that you are attracted to well, i wish we'd met before your fall cuz after all. you and i were made... it's easy now dont lose faith in the moonlight dancing face to face dig your heels in now embrace what you are longing so hard to replace. hey, it's your parade...
5.
friends throw roses ever daring but all the time, we're losing bearing of courses true, from heart to mind till gazing in, looking in on the divine Friends and lovers are we.. a windless chime i hang here muted 'cause all that i've said, they refuted the tide crept in, on Newton's whim i think that i'll drown with you pulling-pulling me in Friends and lovers are we..
6.
every heartbeat, it sounds an echo tells you if you are near enough or if you have to let go of what hides your likeness holds the shadows of those things that trip you up take you off to battle will you carry my weight i'm a dark passenger and you need someone someone to look after i'm a saint a sinner yeah, one of God's ambassadors and we'll carry a dark passenger yeah, a dark passenger there's a dark street where we can lay low climb the rooftops wait for sun's first glow 'cause i need some proof that there's tomorrow just need to buy some time all of mine is borrowed will you carry my weight i'm a dark passenger.... when all is said and done i'm just looking for someone... who will? carry my weight 'cause i'm a dark passenger...
7.
i'm somewhere in the handle texas is a frying pan there are rings up on the dash from the sweat off of Lone Star cans the boys are shootin road signs they're screamin like Yosemite Sam and I, I'm drivin just as fast as i can gotta make Helotes gonna talk to the manager man cuz if you ain't played John T Floore's You aint a honky tonk band they play me on the dial here somewhere to the left on AM im chasing radio waves driving just as fast as i can luminaria those lights will carry ya all the way from here to the Rio Grande (this next verse we forgot to record -and decided to have tom oberheide do a wicked pedal steel solo- good choice!) he looked beneath his hat said, 'son, tell the boys in the van i aint never heard of you, three miles west, or surplus cheaper hands but my boy lives up in austin he's willing to give you a chance; so - i'm driving just as fast as i can visionary till the bury me listen up mister i've got real big plans

credits

released March 25, 2011

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Surplus Cheaper Hands Denver, Colorado

Christiansen writes Rustic Folk that retains its intimacy in the face of ambitious alt.country arrangement. His outstanding ensemble may alternately swell and fade to punctuate mood, but the resulting journey ultimately takes the listener exactly where the band wants you -to the heart of the song. ... more

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