What does a songwriter who has mined darkness do when he finds a measure of contentment?
This was the challenge that faced Fayetteville, AR songwriter Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster when writing his new album Take Heart, Take Care, which is out August 30th on Big Legal Mess Records. A songwriter who had success with Water Liars and Marie/Lepanto (his collaboration with Will Johnson of Centro-Matic) and has earned acclaim from NPR, Billboard, NY Times, and Paste Magazine now took time to reassess his writing process.
There is a balance of that comes through in Take Heart, Take Care. Characters are drawn to and away from other people. They seek both risk and comfort. There is an intimacy that comes of both form and function for Pete: a desire to keep things simple aesthetically but also the limitations of time and money. His bandmate in Marie/Lepanto, Will Johnson, taught him by example how to build a record by yourself; Pete followed this method, playing all of the instruments except keyboards. It freed him. The effect is cinematic yet direct, wind across the plains at times, humidity you can feel at others, and the occasional glimpse of a promised coastline, all of it from a view always in motion.
The sounds also provide a backdrop of a complicated world for Pete to approach his type of makeshift, hard-won providence. The underlying message is of hope, to others as well as himself. So what does a songwriter do when he finds contentment? He tries to pass on what he knows in hopes of helping the next person.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of “Friend of Mine”, a track that belies the camaraderie of youth and offers a nostalgic perspective growing up. With a power pop meets Americana sound and vocals that are reminiscent of the softer material of artists like Harry Nilsson and George Harrison, Pete whips up vivid lyrical imagery about childhood, innocence, and the bonds that come out of a friendship. There is a sunny warmth to the song accentuated by fuzzy, bouncy guitars and Pete’s feel-good vocals.
He describes the inspiration behind the song:
“It’s mostly about being a kid, and all of the innocence and uncertainty of that part of your life, and how it never goes away, it just changes as you get older. Also the strange way that time condenses and elongates as you think back. It’s mostly just about nostalgia and the simple human want to be and have a friend. I hope it’s catchy too. Thanks for listening.”
LISTEN:
For more music and info visit constantstranger.com.
Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster Tour Dates
Sept 4 – Oxford, MS – Southside Gallery
Sept 5 – Nashville, TN – Basement
Sept 6 – Indianapolis, IN – LO-FI Lounge
Sept 7 – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
Sept 8 – Madison, WI – Kiki’s House of Righteous Music
Sept 9 – Chicago, IL – SPACE
Sept 10 – St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway
Sept 12 – Bloomington, IN – Blockhouse Bar
Sept 13 – Cincinnati, OH – Motr Pub
Sept 14 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Brass Rail
Sept 16 – Athens, OH – Casa Nuevo
Sept 17 – Baltimore, MD – Club 603
Sept 18 – Washington DC – Songbyrd
Sept 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Alphaville
Sept 20 – York, PA – Kable House
Sept 21 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall
Sept 22 – Raleigh NC – Neptunes
Sept 23 – Savannah, GA – El Rocko
Sept 24 – Charleston, SC – Royal American
Sept 25 – Atlanta, GA – 529
Sept 26 – Birmingham, AL – Mom’s Basement
Sept 27 – Jackson, MS – Martin’s
Sept 28 – Little Rock, AR – White Water Tavern
Oct 15 – Dallas,TX – Wild Detectives
Oct 16 – Austin,TX – Hotel Vegas
Oct 17 – Marfa,TX – Lost Horse Saloon
Oct 18 – Tucson, AZ – Boxyard
Oct 19 – Phoenix, AZ – Yucca Tap Room
Oct 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers
Oct 23 – Santa Cruz,CA – Crepe Place
Oct 24 – San Francisco,CA – Hotel Utah
Oct 28 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
Oct 29 – Portland, OR – Liquor Store
Oct 30 – Spokane,WA – The Bartlett
Nov 1 – Walla Walla, WA – Billsville West
Nov 2 – Boise, ID – The Olympic
Nov 3 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
Nov 5 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s
Nov 5 – Fayetteville, AR – Smoke and Barrel
