"townsppl" is Alexander Stanton, or part of him anyway. Mostly the part
that makes slightly honest fuzzy folk pop on the computer with poorly
constructed 60's Sears harmony guitars. It's also the part that says a
song can be whatever it wants to be, that a song neither carries nor
respects preconceived notions. It's the part that thinks CDs should come
as Venus fly traps and music itself should be immediate and free. It's
the part that likes bars and likes music in them but not always.
townsppl is the part of Alex that does things for the sake of the things
themselves, and could just as well never leave the bedroom (the kitchen
actually-the acoustics are much better). There are other parts.
'Care and Feeding', the first record from townsppl was created with the
help of Jake Hanner of Donora. It was conceived and crafted over the
course of 2011-12 and self-deployed for free at townsppl.com on March 2,
2013. The 9 person live counterpart to townsppl is also fun."
Check out the band at their official
Website. This Pittsburgh musician seemingly band came out of nowhere recently and dropped this fantastic album (
available for free, no less). The band is the studio moniker of songwriter Alexander Stanton (Guitar/Vocals) and I want to thank him for taking the time to participate in this edition of
First/Last.
The first album you ever bought?
On the same day: Green Day “Dookie” & MC Hammer “Please Hammer, Don't Hurt
'Em”.
Your last album bought?
This is kind of sad as I guess I don't really buy albums that much... Pretty
messed up for someone that makes albums with the hope that people will buy
them. Right now "buying an album" to me is listening to it a whole
bunch on Rhapsody and really getting into it, then using Wikipedia as the liner
notes.
Favorite album of all time?
Obviously an impossible question. Its Tom Waits but I can't decide if its “Rain
Dogs” or “Mule Variations”. I guess it could also be the Weezer “Blue Album”.
Least favorite/most disappointing
album?
This is more fun. I was really hurt by the adult contemporary Starbucks counter
turn that The Avett Brothers took a few years ago (and are still taking).
Additionally, I don't think a band has ever been quite as disappointing outside
of its hits as MGMT.
First concert attended?
Was actually Bob Dylan and Paul Simon at Coca-Cola Starlake Amphitheater around
1999.
Last concert?
Peering over the railing for Queens of the Stone Age at Stage AE, they sounded
awesome and the people who actually went looked like they were having a great
time.
Favorite concert ever?
I have to say that my heaviest and most precious in concert music moments came
listening to Phish. Probably 12-30-03, I tried to listen to it a bunch of times
afterwards and show it to other people and it just didn't translate, but at the
time it totally blew my mind. Honorable mention to Jeff Mangum sitting down by
himself at Carnegie in Oakland and shouting out perfect versions of all of the
Neutral Milk Hotel songs after a decade of nothing. He also had a great sweater
on.
Least favorite concert?
I really try to find something that I can like about anything, I'm having a
hard time thinking of a concert that I intentionally went to that I didn't
enjoy for one reason or another. I will say that last year’s Springsteen
concert at Consol Energy Center went from the previous list to this one when
instead of hearing ‘Jungleland’ or ‘Thunder Road’ for the encore we
got ‘Glory Day’s sung by Joe Grushecky. We may have to drive to Cleveland
next time.
Favorite thoughts, experiences about
Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has the best attributes of a small town and a big city, except when
it comes to soul food delivery on a Sunday after 7pm.
Thanks, Alex. I have to say how much I love this album, man. Looking forward to seeing you play out soon. Also, I second that Jeff Mangum show. Really stunning what he pulled off.
