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"It was difficult at first to keep quiet and sing everything exactly how Steve wanted it, but I realized that if I began to screw with the melodies, then we would end up with another Tempe record, and not something unique and different. So I trusted in Steve’s vision and challenged myself to set aside my ego and serve the music first."
Robin Wilson
The Gin Blossoms
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Songwriting, for me, is a fairly heavy, heartfelt process. I dig deep, and in doing so, tend toward more melancholy stuff. That's why I like collaborating, correcting and producing so much; because I can use all my skills to make music with different and lighter spirits.
But during my singer/songwriter days in New York, through digging deep, I learned an incredible amount about the craft of writing. I still make it my first suggestion to any writer who asks how to develop his craft. Playing live solo shows 3 nights a week for a few years, and hanging with a circle of talented writers that provide a little competitive pressure to keep new material coming, will teach you much of what you need to know about your art, and help you acquire many tools to help express yourself.
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"Melodic, introspective...the lyrics to 'Falling Water,' 'Weight on My Mind' and 'Simple Minded Way' make you step back and mentally reassess your life. In fact, all the lyrics on this album have that effect."
Scott Iwasaki
Deseret Morning News
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"The sophisticated pop of Simple Minded Way is a slight departure from Wilson's day job band. Yet the collaboration of Wilson's voice and French's songs gels incredibly well on almost every song, and reveals the perfect musical chemistry The Longshadows possess."
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So, I put a body of work together that was born of this experience. The work is far from commercial pop (with possibly one exception) but the album is definitely song driven, and yes, kind of melancholy. But I like that.
I made the decision to ask Robin Wilson (the Gin Blossoms) to sing on the recordings (over using my own voice) simply because I like the tone of his voice. He graciously accepted, and I think he did a very handsome job. In my humble opinion, I think they are some of the best performances I have heard from him. But since I produced the sessions, I would say that, wouldn't I.
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Click here to visit
The Longshadows website.
The album is available for purchase from
CD Baby and iTunes.
Click below to listen to the album tracks.
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“The key to the Longshadows’ identity is a dynamic and atmospheric guitar sound based on open tunings. The album demonstrates that French (who plays and programs all the parts himself) is an equally adept producer, creating rich soundscapes out of his intricate electric and acoustic work and momentum-inducing grooves.”
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