Hello reader,
How are you today?
Today, we’re excited to shed light on another artist we know you’ll enjoy – Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based high-energy live rock band, the Zach Pietrini Band. The current lineup consists of Zach Pietrini (vocals/guitar), Jared Plant (vocals/guitar), Eric Anderson (vocals/piano), Chris Gold (bass guitar), and Nick Lang (drums). They’re a band that’s been releasing music for more than a decade and consistently finds themselves at the forefront of Milwaukee’s Americana scene due to the quality of their albums and their heart on your sleeve: soulful indie Americana and roots songwriting sound. While listening to their albums or live shows, you’ll be reminded of Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and David Ramirez. On stage, you’ll often find Pietrini clad in a denim jacket, befitting the collective sound of their songs.
From the band’s press release:
“Last January we wanted to take advantage of the cold and sleepy time of the year by making some REALLY GOOD live videos. We hadn’t shot many and wanted to showcase what this band can do. So we called the best people we knew for this, our good friends Andrew Feller to video capture and Kyle White at Wire & Vice Studios to engineer the session. We went in thinking this would be a three song video shoot of an in studio performance, turns out when you are working with really talented people, inspiring things can happen. We finished the three videos oddly fast, at the end of 3 takes on each song we all felt very confident in the performance and had a lot of time left at the studio. So we tried doing another song, and another and another. We would finish a take with the same energy as not wanting to talk to a pitcher who is throwing a no hitter, just let ’em keep going. I’d look up after a take and ask “Wanna do one more?” What resulted was this eight song live album of previously released songs. Some are re-imagined, some are a little different but all have that great live performance energy with the clarity and fidelity of the studio.”
In a first for Singles Spotlight, we have two songs to share. Twice as much music? We’re stoked! Both songs were recorded live at Wire and Vice Studios in Wauwatosa, WI. The album will be released digitally on Friday, February 21st.
(All credits and rights to the Zach Pietrini Band)
Song credits include:
- Video: Andrew Feller, Mix/Engineer: Kyle White
- guitar/vox: Zach Pietrini, keys/vox: Eric Anderson, guitar/vox: Jared Plant, bass: Christopher Gold, and drums: Nick Lang
(All credits and rights to the Zach Pietrini Band)
Song credits include:
- Video: Andrew Feller, Mix/Engineer: Kyle White
- guitar/vox: Zach Pietrini, keys/vox: Eric Anderson, guitar/vox: Jared Plant, bass: Christopher Gold, and drums: Nick Lang
Pietrini and the rest of the band are in exquisite form for both of these songs. Their range is showcased as “What Are We Now” plays as an anthem while “Life Will Get Hard” plays as a ballad. I love Nick Lang’s drum work on both songs, from the thumping, propulsive beats on “What Are We Now” to the subdued pacing on “Life Will Get Hard.” And Anderson’s keys that match Lang’s drum work on the latter. The lead vocals from Pietrini and backing vocals from Anderson and Plant are harmonious to the ear, complementing each other perfectly during both songs. That must sound amazing live. I also like Gold’s bass grooves, which added a bit of depth to both tunes.
Like what you heard? A vinyl pre-order that comes with a digital download is available at www.zachpietrini.com/store
In addition, the band is playing the following album release shows with the Milwaukee-based band WILDERED opening both shows:
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
