In the fall of 2011 Tim Carr put together a band with some friends. Over the next three years members came and went, but lucky for us he eventually found the members that work. The name of the band, Arlo McKinley, was taken from Tim's two grandfather's Arlo and McKinley. Enlisting the help of Tyler Lockard on upright bass and Brian Pumphrey on drums they have found themselves at a most opportune time to record an album.
After a Hank Williams tribute show in December, Tim Carr was inspired. He then had a conversation with Kelly Thomas about recording an album and her producing. Fast forward to a snowy day in February at The Southgate House Revival and the recording was underway. With Tyler on upright, Brian on drums, Sarah Davis on keys and vocals, Sylvia Mitchell on viola, harmonica, and a truly lonesome violin. Last but certainly not least Zach Rowe, he plays an electric guitar that is swampy but keeps within the country style which is the core sound of this band. Over six hours they hammered these songs out and while that may sound fast, the album by no means has that feeling.
From start to finish, the record is good old country blues. Tim's vocals and songwriting shine through the melodies and arrangements of these good old fashioned country songs. The opening track "I've Got Her" opens with a harmonica that brings a chill, then the electric guitar brings the flavor. Tim's vocals round it all out.
Sit back, listen, and let the songs swim around in your mind because the album has only just begun. The melodies and arrangements blend eloquently into a melodic sea of heart break and good old fashioned country. As Tim told me recently, "the main reason I write music is to tell my story to whoever wants to listen and I honestly believe it's what I was put here to do." Through those next nine tracks his reasoning becomes obvious.
Arlo McKinley and The Lonesome Sound are bringing to us an album that breathes something new into the music world that was lacking until now. This album is merely a starting point for these folks. One of the songs on the self titled album, "Time in Bars" has a lyric "I've got a story to tell," and that's just what this album does. It is all laid out for the listener to appreciate some damn good songwriting.
Arlo McKinley and The Lonesome Sound will be releasing their self titled album, Arlo McKinley & The Lonesome Sound in the very place they recorded just a few months ago. Upstairs in the Revival Room at The Southgate House Revival, where over six hours they struck that humble chord that lives inside all of us. That chord has been unleashed and now it’s time to watch these folks shine. Get to Newport on Saturday to The Southgate House Revival...go upstairs, sit back and listen to a man tell a story through some songs.
Arlo McKinley and The Lonesome Sound
Album Release
w/ Lonesome Jared & The Heart Attacks, Billy Wallace
The Southgate House Revival
Saturday April 19th
9p Doors / 9:30 Show
