By Kim Grant/KG Music Press
What album do you know features Gary Lucas (Cap’n Beefheart), Robbie Fulks, Peter Stampfel, John Fulbright, Sarangi Celtic, Mexican harps, tuba, theramin, dogs, horns, Mariachis, and great songs? And what do the themes of love, Wittgenstein, Cook County Jail and trapeze artistry have in common? The answer to both questions is Rich Krueger’s newest release, NOWThen.
Rich Krueger jumped into the spotlight in 2017 after releasing his first album, Life Ain’t That Long, to worldwide critical acclaim, and non-commercial Triple A radio play around the world. Since then he has done numerous interviews in the U.S. and UK and was a finalist in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition in 2017 and 2018, which he went on to win in 2018.
The 15-song NOWThen is self-produced and self-released, and most of the players from Krueger’s first record also play on NOWThen, but there are many others new to this project. Along with those mentioned above, there are appearances from Erik Frandsen (The Colbert Report), Casey McDonogh (NRBQ), Jay Ansill (acclaimed Celtic performer/composer), and Jim Becker (Iron & Wine).
Professionally, Krueger is a clinical neonatologist at the University of Chicago.
“I work 80-100 hours a week as a doctor,” he says. “Making music somehow happens on that background. Musical ideas come quickly when I mess around with the piano, guitar or banjo. Keeping my eyes open helps, and writing down ideas as quickly as they come is necessary.”
NOWThen is a work of love and of hope, hard work and joy and about having open eyes. Rich Krueger’s songs are songs that could only be made by an outsider, and observer. They might make you think, they might make you laugh, and they might even trouble you, but NOWThen is full of real songs that are never ordinary.
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Chicago Tour Dates:
-> September 15: Gallery Cabaret. Debut of a monthly residence; also a video shoot this night.
-> September 30: Wishbone solo show with Chris Farrell.
-> October 5: Montrose Saloon.
-> October 20: Gallery Cabaret show with the band for THE NOWTHEN PRE-RELEASE RELEASE PARTY. Lotsa guests.
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Video:
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Comments welcome.
Posted on September 11, 2018