“Intelligent Songs, creative and masterful playing from all the luminaries involved—and Todd himself! It’s punk, new wave, no-wave, singer-songwriter all at once, BUT it’s not retro, it’s completely FRESH! The production by Anton Fier possibly tops all the tall cakes of his previous productions (and that’s truly saying something, given this Genius Of Taste’s producer work for Victoria Williams, Lori Carson, et al throughout the decades, and of course for his own Golden Palominos’ albums)…This is DEFINITELY the anomalous Rock-Punk-Song Record of the Year [decade?]” – DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY
TODD CLOUSER Releases MAN WITH NO COUNTRY
Produced By ANTON FIER // Featuring STEVEN BERNSTEIN, TONY SCHERR, ERIC DEUTSCH & BILLY MARTIN
Watch “Clock At The Top Of The Town” :: Premiered by The Big Takeover
Billy Martin chats with Todd Clouser in his truck about Man With No Country
Building upon a series of acclaimed recordings, guitarist/vocalist/composer Todd Clousernow stands poised to release Man With No Country, available today via Amulet Records. The Minneapolis native, who now resides in Mexico City, has previously established himself as a dynamic and resourceful instrumentalist in open-ended, jazz-rock contexts. Man With No Country should startle and impress longtime admirers, as it marks Clouser’s transition into a formidable vocalist, songwriter, and frontman.
“For years,” Clouser explains, “I’ve been playing instrumental music exclusively – but, at the same time, writing a lot of songs. It’s only over the past year that I’ve added in my voice. It took some time for me to get comfortable with using my voice expressively. I had to overcome nerves, self-doubt…for me, it felt like a brave decision.”
Aiding and enhancing the transition is the album’s drummer, producer, and sonic architectAnton Fier (Golden Palominos, Lounge Lizards, Feelies and more), who challenged Clouser to push himself closer to the essence of his songs—scrapping an entire sessions’ worth of material in the process. What emerged is a powerful, charged album that harnesses Clouser’s insightful, questioning songs to dynamic musical backdrops that roil and churn with a keen intensity born of focused, intent improvisation.
Man With No Country is an auspicious gesture from young firebrand Clouser, during which he fearlessly engages his heroes head-on, including trumpeter Steven Bernstein, bassistTony Scherr and drummer Billy Martin, across a program of scorched-earth ballads and searing rock songs. The end result is a tumultuous, heart-rending, and unflinching album set bravely at the intersection of verbal wit, melodic grace, and instrumental daring—a message of the moment, birthed in the moment.
Upcoming TODD CLOUSER & A LOVE ELECTRIC Tour Dates:
September 17 – Evora, Portugal – City Plaza
September 18 – Alcobaca, Portugal – Theater Sao Vicente
September 20 – Sala de los Infantes, Spain – Teatro Gran Casino
September 21 – Granada, Spain – Boogaclub
September 25 – Mexico City, MX – Museo del Juguete
October 2 – Fairfield, IA – Cafe Paradiso
October 3 – Kansas City, MO – The Record Bar
October 12 – Mexico City, MX – Black Horse
October 17 – Portland, OR – The Goodfoot
October 18 – Richland, WA – Emerald of Siam
October 19 – Boise, ID – The Red Room
October 21 & 22 – Arcata, CA – Jambalaya
October 23 – San Francisco, CA – Boom Boom Room
October 24 – South Lake Tahoe, CA – The Divided Sky
October 25 & 26 – Truckee, CA – Moody’s
October 28 – Oakland, CA – Duende
November 1 & 2 – Moab, UT – Woody’s
November 7 – Oaxaca, MX – Feria del Libro
November 8 – Cholula, Puebla, MX – Jazzatlan
November 22 – Guadalajara, MX – Retratos Permanentes
November 23 – Mexico City, MX – Festival Ajusco
December 19 – Rock Island, IL – Rozz Tox
December 20 – St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar and Hall
December 27 – Excelsior, MN – 318