Pressed on rainbow vinyl (each colored LP is unique!), this is the debut LP from Nashville's The Upper Middle. The group continues the legacy of ik ben with the addition of songwriting /singing collaborateurs, Kardinal Woolsey and Charles Degenhart along with Memphis blue-eyed soul legend Shea Hardin on the drum throne.
Produced by Kardinal Woolsey and The Middlemen
Engineered and mixed by Kardinal Woolsey at Cedar Key Studio, Inter-Cellar Studio and Krabbe Shack, Nashville - 2014 to 2017. The Cove recorded by Scott Hardin at Young Avenue Sound, Memphis, on Chuck Berry’s last day down here with us mortals.
The Upper Middle are Tobias Hylbert, Scotstoffersen, Charlie
Degenhart, Kardinal Woolsey and Shea Hardin. Special thanks to Bill Ditenhafer and Casey Sanders for noted drum contributions. Shea drums everywhere else.
Walk on By (Tobias sings lead w/ all; ‘Stoff on organ, Kard on banjo, Christopher Robin on dulcimer, Bill on drums) The band’s first composition, and a true collaboration instigated by a tasty Brian jangle.
The Cove (Tobias w/ Charlie, Shea on logistics) Recorded in Memphis on a lost weekend bender with our favorite ghosts present and in fine form
Minding the Fall (Charlie w/ Scott; Tobias on piano/e-bow) Because we all look back now and again
Tennessee Valleygirl Authority (All, Kard on smart remarks; Pat Kunkee on trumpets) The product of multiple band jam sessions melded together as an operetta for all tomorrow’s children
Magnolia Terrace (Kard w/ all) True story. End of story.
Lay Down Your Arms (Tobias w/ all; Tobias on blues guitar solo, Charles Kay on sax, Casey on Drums) Beatniks, peaceniks, tunics, picnics.
Nothing Sad to Sing (Charlie w/ all; ‘stoff on piano, Tobias on windlute) Oh, the eloquence . . . .
Secret Invisible Track (Charles Kay on Saxophones, Casey on drums) Me time (bio break, take five), grab a refill, meet back in 1:37.
Put it Down (Kard, Tobias on toy piano, Bill on drums) Ibid., see Magnolia . . .
Cutting Glass (with Diamonds) (Scott w/ Charlie and all, Bill drums) Should have been the opener
All songs written, arranged and performed by The Upper Middle. Horns arranged by Al Dente
Special thanks to: Greg Decker for continued artistic inspiration, The Eclipse, the Nashville Predators sports team for all the sports, Big Toe, Senator Bob “he’s a real” Corker, Mayor Began Marry, WAGs, kids, puppies, soltice/equinox, and the guy who compared us to Moby Grape.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Upper Middle - Tennessee Valleygirl Authority
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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