It has a refreshing sound reminiscent of the band, Iron and Wine. The lyrics are clever and poignant, sung through a soulful voice. “I try to write stuff that really happens and is personal. It’s about what memories you have, like a photo album but with songs,” said Carl Creighton about Minnesota, his first studio album. “I prefer performing. It’s hard in the studio because there, it is what it is; in a show, it changes every time.”
Creighton, who describes himself as an independent folk artist, is holding an album release party 8 p.m., April 18 at The Living Room 154 Ludlow Street, between Rivington and Delancy streets.
Creighton is featured on myspace.com/carlcreighton, facebook, sonicbids.com and garageband.com. His music video for the song Minnesota, which was shot by Creighton, is featured on youtube.com.
A full band backs Creighton on his album as well as in his live shows. The band includes, Charles Barthelemy – bass, Brant Benefield – drums, Debe Dalton – banjo, Jeffrey Young – violin, Erin Regan – backup vocals, and Mimi Lavalley – backup vocals, and Craig Creighton, Carl’s brother – harmonica and lead guitar. All of the musicians except Young and Craig, will be playing at the show April 18.
Creighton, who was wearing a black shirt and jeans at the time of the interview, recorded his album at The Seaside Lounge in Brooklyn. The band usually rehearses on weekends but more frequently when it has an upcoming show.
Creighton, 24, moved to New York City three years ago from Minnesota to pursue his dream. He is currently a part of the Anti-Folk scene, and regularly plays sets at The Sidewalk Café on 6th street and Avenue A. Creighton, who comes from a musical family, was playing the piano at age 13 and at 15 learned the guitar.
“If money is an issue in New York, you can go back to where you’re from … come to your senses,” croons Creighton in his song “Smoking Is Ugly.” Creighton, a biology major, said the inspiration for these lyrics came to him while he was walking around the city. “Now, that I think of it, it’s about being nagged by a mother. Like ‘smoking is ugly and you should come home.’” He also said, “It is hard in New York.”
Charles Barthelemy, 27, who plays bass guitar in Creighton’s band, said in an interview conducted via e-mail, “His songs are well structured and catchy, (his) music is fun and creative, the lyrics are witty and anecdotal to situations of anyone’s life. The Music/Song/Lyrics are something I can relate to.”
Barthelemy, Creighton’s roommate, has been playing with him for almost three years. Favorite songs on the album include: El Paso, Erin, and Big Arms. “I enjoy listening and playing them all,” he said.
Barthelemy, a University of Hartford graduate, said, “The arrangement of this album is distinctive of Carl’s songwriting capability. You can expect this show to be a fun experience that’ll leave you with melodies and lyrics that will be stuck in your head … look for more material from Carl in the near future.”
Minnesota will be sold for $10 at the April 18 show. Minnesota can also be purchased through on iTunes and cdbaby on April 22.
The WORD’s Meredith Judge can be reached at Meredin_05@hotmail.com.