speed of dark

It's difficult to keep up with Joe Arthur these days. He has released four EPs this year, culminating recently with Foreign Girls. Put these together, and it's the equivalent of a double album. I confess I haven't listened to all of them even though Arthur is worthy of the time.

Arthur created the EPs mostly without his backing band, the Lonely Astronauts. Exceptions are "Rages of Babylon" and "Morning Cup" from Could We Survive, which include Jen Turner. Many are acoustic numbers, while others exhibit the full range of Arthur's production skills. The EPs also include guest artists, like Joan Wasser (Joan As Policewoman, the Dambuilders) on violin and background vocals on Vagabond Skies. Wasser is a long-time friend from their early days of performing.

And of course, this hard-working guy, who somehow has time to paint pictures too, is touring again. He'll be in Los Angeles tomorrow night at the Troubadour. We caught his show last May with the Lonely Astronauts at the Roxy. Unfortunately we will not get to see him this time, which is really disappointing because he is fabulous in concert--a very generous performer who has a lot of respect for his audiences. Don't think that just because he is solo that you'll hear only thin, wimpy versions. Oh no. Arthur can do wonders on stage with a few loops.

Morning Cup, with Jen Turner, from Could We Survive (March)
Killer's Knife from Crazy Rain (April)
She Paints Me Gold from Vagabond Skies (May)
Lovely Cost from Foreign Girls (July)

Website | MySpace | Label: Lonely Astronauts Records
Buy at Joseph Arthur Store, Amazon.com, and eMusic

Show Schedule:
July 15 - Los Angeles, CA at the Troubadour
July 16 - San Diego, CA at Anthology*
July 18 - San Francisco, CA at Great American Music Hall
July 20 - Eugene, OR at WOW Hall
July 21 - Portland, OR at Doug Fir
July 22 - Seattle, WA at Triple Door
July 24 - Vancouver, BC at The Media Club*
July 26 - Guelph, ON at Hillside Festival