Aaron Lee Tasjan

You might not imagine that a founder and original guitarist of eyeliner-loving glam rockers Semi Precious Weapons might identify as a singer-songwriter who takes more from Tom Petty than T. Rex, but Aaron Lee Tasjan manages to squeeze the grit from a flamboyant past and turn it into folk-based rock ‘n’ roll music with a keen ear and biting tongue.

“Drank enough drink to kill ten men/go back and do it again,” he sings on “Don’t Walk Away,” the lead single from his upcoming EP, Crooked River Burning, out March 14th. In the video, premiering here, we see Tasjan stripped down and performing live at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall (he’s signed to the venue’s new label), telling tales of unapologetic hard livin’ and lovin’, existing somewhere between Todd Snider, Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen.

“The show where we filmed this song was a trip,” Tasjan tells American Songwriter. “We’d just laid down some science at Lincoln Center the night before, so, seeing as we were riding high, we decided to go out there and have what all the people with nicknames, the ass kickers, the frat kids who have a conscience, the wake’n'bakers and the people who know that Jimi Hendrix is actually a really badass singer. . . we went out and had what all those kinds of people would call ‘a good time.’”

Though he’s had tenure as a guitarist for acts like Alberta Cross and New York Dolls along with a Berklee College of Music pedigree, there’s no fancy vamps or showy solos to be seen – just a simple three-piece band that provides a solid backdrop to the pensive lyrics and direct voice that manages to blend a sense of intimate warmth with a weathered edge, formed from eyes blackened by long nights and broken hearts instead of kohl. You know, nights that those kinds of people would call a good time. - American Songwriter Magazine

Part Ben Bridwell soprano, part Jack White warble, Aaron Lee Tasjan is seeing his hard work and perseverance pay off. Co-writer of the world’s first “three-sided” single—how does that even work?—“I Believe In Elvis Presley” was co-written with BP Fallon, and was produced by the rebel king himself, Jack White. It was also released on White’s Third Man label.

Aaron hails from Ohio and spent time in Albany, New York, before doing his penance in the hipster-laden city of Brooklyn. Home to just about every art form, Brooklyn has been instrumental at gathering the best (and the most god-awful) in one Mecca-like area. Tasjan’s “last minute” addition status in a town that is getting a slow, second look, may have actually helped him gain notoriety. His recent jaunt opening for Freedy Johnston was a perfect match and a well-thought-out arrangement in an ongoing list of smart decisions. His credits also encompass working with Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex) and Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah).

But let me back up just a bit. Tasjan’s 2012 effort, The Thinking Man’s Filth, is one of his best releases, and is a project still ringing in my ears. Consisting of six gritty little diamonds, this homemade dish is one best served over and over again. I actually played this for a producer friend who is a monumental Replacements fan—seriously, he judges everything by them—and he also agreed that the analog rough production and unfettered attitude was perfect. I love the human touch here, and it rolls in the most meditative of back porch ways.

Kicking off with the Jesco White, slap-backed reverberation of “Junk Food And Drugs,” Tasjan throws out palm muffled chords, string drones and harmonic overtones as he waxes poetic with lines such as “I can guess/Which one of them is gonna hurt me less/Dear God/What a fabulous mess.”

“Everything That I Have Is Broken” is probably my favorite song on this disc. Emanating golden rays of Dave Loggins (“Please Come To Boston”), guitars roll and shimmer through picked passages, strums and dissonant overtones that push Tasjan’s backwoods memories straight at the listener’s heart.

“Santa Monica And Vine” pulls away from the curb like some big, black glimmering Cadillac hauling ass out of Graceland. Guitars are toned and taller than a Tennessee pine. Tasjan’s vocal kicks in and takes this truck stop picker into the cotton field territories of Johnny Prine. I like the Leon Redbone picked bridge also. I hear a lot of the Jack White influence on this disc, especially with the vocal inflections and style. But just when you think this writer is an apostle instead of a prophet, Tasjan veers left and shows me why Jack White and BP Fallon have put so much faith in his abilities and compositional insight as an artist all his own.

“Ocean Of Days” is a unique, echo-fueled piece that features wide-open guitar lines that focus on a flurry of jagged down strokes that come in under Tasjan’s troubadour style vocal with inflections of Bob Dylan and Barry McGuire. The live recorded style is both organic and premeditated when it comes to laying out the complex bridges and guitar parts. Nothing is standard here, and it’s intriguing to see how he takes this song from instrumental beginning to fiery middle and sparse, quiet end.

The gnarly, hillbilly rock of “Dirty Angel” comes courtesy of songwriter Kevin Kinney. Tasjan dresses up this song with the urgent throb of growling guitar chords and high, hollered harmonies. Percussion adds the backbone as this swampy number dips and bends. The silence before the storm comes in the form of a droned bridge that explodes into a shrapnel-laden blast of tube-fueled cacophony, reminiscent of Wall Of Voodoo’s front guy Stan Ridgway.

The disc winds up with another twisting, turning, finger picked number called “My Camera.” Vocal style is noticeably different from the rest of the album on this cut, as it’s darker, lonelier, and more along the lines of a Jim Croce or an early Adam Duritz. Nothing is wasted here, and the skeleton bare arrangement sings out brightly.

The Thinking Man’s Filth is one of those projects that keeps you right on the edge of your emotions, wants and needs. Aurally tight, the use of dynamics to the most extreme manner is both maddening and appreciated. These songs sound down home and rural in their current production, and I would love to hear them with a full band. Either way, Tasjan is set to bridge the gap between Brooklyn and the rest of the world his own way. Aaron will be back in the area on May 7 at the Rockwood Music Hall along with Mia Dyson. For more information on Aaron Lee Tasjan, head over to aaronleetasjan.com. - The Aquarian

Part Ben Bridwell soprano, part Jack White warble, Aaron Lee Tasjan is seeing his hard work and perseverance pay off. Co-writer of the world’s first “three-sided” single—how does that even work?—“I Believe In Elvis Presley” was co-written with BP Fallon, and was produced by the rebel king himself, Jack White. It was also released on White’s Third Man label.

Aaron hails from Ohio and spent time in Albany, New York, before doing his penance in the hipster-laden city of Brooklyn. Home to just about every art form, Brooklyn has been instrumental at gathering the best (and the most god-awful) in one Mecca-like area. Tasjan’s “last minute” addition status in a town that is getting a slow, second look, may have actually helped him gain notoriety. His recent jaunt opening for Freedy Johnston was a perfect match and a well-thought-out arrangement in an ongoing list of smart decisions. His credits also encompass working with Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex) and Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah).

But let me back up just a bit. Tasjan’s 2012 effort, The Thinking Man’s Filth, is one of his best releases, and is a project still ringing in my ears. Consisting of six gritty little diamonds, this homemade dish is one best served over and over again. I actually played this for a producer friend who is a monumental Replacements fan—seriously, he judges everything by them—and he also agreed that the analog rough production and unfettered attitude was perfect. I love the human touch here, and it rolls in the most meditative of back porch ways.

Kicking off with the Jesco White, slap-backed reverberation of “Junk Food And Drugs,” Tasjan throws out palm muffled chords, string drones and harmonic overtones as he waxes poetic with lines such as “I can guess/Which one of them is gonna hurt me less/Dear God/What a fabulous mess.”

“Everything That I Have Is Broken” is probably my favorite song on this disc. Emanating golden rays of Dave Loggins (“Please Come To Boston”), guitars roll and shimmer through picked passages, strums and dissonant overtones that push Tasjan’s backwoods memories straight at the listener’s heart.

“Santa Monica And Vine” pulls away from the curb like some big, black glimmering Cadillac hauling ass out of Graceland. Guitars are toned and taller than a Tennessee pine. Tasjan’s vocal kicks in and takes this truck stop picker into the cotton field territories of Johnny Prine. I like the Leon Redbone picked bridge also. I hear a lot of the Jack White influence on this disc, especially with the vocal inflections and style. But just when you think this writer is an apostle instead of a prophet, Tasjan veers left and shows me why Jack White and BP Fallon have put so much faith in his abilities and compositional insight as an artist all his own.

“Ocean Of Days” is a unique, echo-fueled piece that features wide-open guitar lines that focus on a flurry of jagged down strokes that come in under Tasjan’s troubadour style vocal with inflections of Bob Dylan and Barry McGuire. The live recorded style is both organic and premeditated when it comes to laying out the complex bridges and guitar parts. Nothing is standard here, and it’s intriguing to see how he takes this song from instrumental beginning to fiery middle and sparse, quiet end.

The gnarly, hillbilly rock of “Dirty Angel” comes courtesy of songwriter Kevin Kinney. Tasjan dresses up this song with the urgent throb of growling guitar chords and high, hollered harmonies. Percussion adds the backbone as this swampy number dips and bends. The silence before the storm comes in the form of a droned bridge that explodes into a shrapnel-laden blast of tube-fueled cacophony, reminiscent of Wall Of Voodoo’s front guy Stan Ridgway.

The disc winds up with another twisting, turning, finger picked number called “My Camera.” Vocal style is noticeably different from the rest of the album on this cut, as it’s darker, lonelier, and more along the lines of a Jim Croce or an early Adam Duritz. Nothing is wasted here, and the skeleton bare arrangement sings out brightly.

The Thinking Man’s Filth is one of those projects that keeps you right on the edge of your emotions, wants and needs. Aurally tight, the use of dynamics to the most extreme manner is both maddening and appreciated. These songs sound down home and rural in their current production, and I would love to hear them with a full band. Either way, Tasjan is set to bridge the gap between Brooklyn and the rest of the world his own way. Aaron will be back in the area on May 7 at the Rockwood Music Hall along with Mia Dyson. For more information on Aaron Lee Tasjan, head over to aaronleetasjan.com. - The Aquarian

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a dangerous man. With his pulse equally on electric blues, folk and rock jams, he's already been involved in some NYC bands The Deli celebrated not that long ago. As co-founder of Semi Precious Weapons and The Madison Square Gardeners, he's been bringing his mission for rock n' roll's original soul to the masses for the greater part of a decade. Now he's doing it solo. New record 'The Thinking Man's Filth' keeps the blues humming in fave track 'Junk Food & Drugs,' a song extolling new corners turned in life, and how much fun bad habits can be. Check it out below and see him live when he plays Rockwood Music Hall, May 7th. - Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) - Deli Magazine

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a dangerous man. With his pulse equally on electric blues, folk and rock jams, he's already been involved in some NYC bands The Deli celebrated not that long ago. As co-founder of Semi Precious Weapons and The Madison Square Gardeners, he's been bringing his mission for rock n' roll's original soul to the masses for the greater part of a decade. Now he's doing it solo. New record 'The Thinking Man's Filth' keeps the blues humming in fave track 'Junk Food & Drugs,' a song extolling new corners turned in life, and how much fun bad habits can be. Check it out below and see him live when he plays Rockwood Music Hall, May 7th. - Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) - Deli Magazine

With a golden voice, natural musical and lyrical gifts and a reverence for his influences worn proudly on his sleeve, Tasjan is a songwriter who demands - and deserves - attention. - ASCAP/Playback Magazine

With a golden voice, natural musical and lyrical gifts and a reverence for his influences worn proudly on his sleeve, Tasjan is a songwriter who demands - and deserves - attention. - ASCAP/Playback Magazine

"The influences are heavy from Bob Dylan to The Beatles to the Johns-both Prine and Hiatt-but they never overwhelm Tasjan's skill as a songwriter." - Chicago Sun Times

"The influences are heavy from Bob Dylan to The Beatles to the Johns-both Prine and Hiatt-but they never overwhelm Tasjan's skill as a songwriter." - Chicago Sun Times

"...a natural, with seemingly limitless talent,"-Peter Blackstock - No Depression

"...a natural, with seemingly limitless talent,"-Peter Blackstock - No Depression