Who would have thought a bassist, known mightily for his bass work with the heavy punk onslaught of The Circle Jerk would make an album described as “12-string guitar meditations”? Well, Zander Schloss isn’t one to get fooled by genre descriptions or expectations and that stands true on his upcoming new album Californias Burning (out October 13th via Blind Owl).
The sophomore solo release from Los Angeles, California-based Schloss represents the next chapter in the veteran artist’s evolutionary arc. Californias Burning sees the singer/ multi-instrumentalist writing orchestral elements and baroque textural flourishes into his now stretched-out, long-play arrangements, creating a soundscape that shimmers with a warm psychedelic vividness. With legendary musician/veteran producer Alain Johannes now manning the board, singing harmony, and adding his own musical genius, the record captures Schloss’ elevation from punk rock legend to masterful songwriter and musical director. “This is my Lawrence of Arabia. My Apocalypse Now Redux” says Schloss.
Though Schloss had recorded his debut solo album Song About Songs with the amazingly talented Bassist/Producer Gus Seyffert (Norah Jones, Black Keys, Beck, Bedouine, Roger Waters) at the helm, along with two other albums Walk Thee Invisible and Other Desert Cities for Schloss’s former duo outing, Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss, it was time to get out of his comfort zone working with Seyffert and take a chance working with another great producer. For the Californias Burning sessions Schloss turned to one of his all-time favorite guitarists, longtime friend and idol, Alain Johannes. The Chilean American multi-instrumentalist has brought his mastery to records by PJ Harvey, Mark Lanegan, Chris Cornell, and many more.
Glide is premiering the simplistic but durable “Memory of Me and You,” which resonates with a narrative instrumental flow that is reminiscent of guitar-focused artists like John Fahey and Leo Kottke. Schloss also shows off his lyrical prowess which shows punk can swim with folk effortlessly.
“When I was writing the 2nd verse for “Memory of Me & You”, I was actually driving through Lyon at the time that I wrote the line “While driving through Berlin” I don’t usually fictionalize in my lyrics but I mean, what rhymes with Lyon?” adds Schloss.
