Darrick Thompson

Lolita is an ode to the life, thoughts and fears of a prostitute. Darrick Thompson was inspired by this theme in Rome few years ago, where he lived for four months in 2009. Staying in the south of the Italian capital, the young Washington-born songwriter would walk to and from the studio on Via Cristoforo Colombo, an area where at night where the streets run rampant with young girls trying to make ends meet.
“It’s much like the Nabokov novel where the antagonist is somewhat taboo; the story behind the lyrics is essentially a narrative of her life from my perspective”, he says.
Lolita comes straight from the diary of a sensitive soul, and Darrick’s approach is fresh and reflective. His sound holds the appeal of Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson but reaches a depth that reminds one of the first Josh Rouse and Ray Lamontagne.
Watch out for Darrick Thompson and his music; success is just around the corner waiting for him.
- AAAMusic

Never has the concept of a liar been so honest. Rife with storytelling lyrics and instrumental breaks, singer-songwriter Darrick Thompson, a Spokane native and former Zag, stretches his creative legs with his second album “Liar,” a multi-faceted, 10-track study in contrasts.
The title holds special meaning for Thompson, who was inspired by people he met while traveling.
“The title name ‘Liar’ was derived after writing ‘Lolita’ and ‘Daylight.’ I spent nearly four months demoing this record in Rome, and met many prostitutes and gypsies walking to and from gigs. So, I started creating fictional backstories of their lives,” Thompson said. “I love the title because it's provocative. It takes a very introspective person to admit their lies and exaggerations, and that in and of itself encompasses the title’s theme.”
“Liar” is anything but. It might as well be entitled “Irony, as it is a (sometimes painfully) honest representation of facets of life and inspirations so often found in musicians’ work, including love, friends, perseverance, the passing of time and the soul-searching required in life’s journey.
A prime example of this can be found in the track, “Keep Swimming.” Lyrics like, “And when you don’t want to go on/ Just keep on swimming and singing your song,” express the sentiment of personal strength, in a song otherwise fraught with regret over personal mistakes or insecurities.
Much like his debut album “I Was an Aeroplane,” “Liar” contains Thompson’s signature folksy style and his clear, resonant voice; it is rife with his stylish acoustics. “Liar” demonstrates consistency with its predecessor in that it is clear that the lyrics are heavily influenced by his own globetrotting.
Yet, there is plenty to distinguish “Liar” from “I Was an Aeroplane.” “Liar” is by far a much more sonically adventurous album. As you listen, it is evident that Thompson is comfortable with his acoustic folk style and is stretching his creativity. “Liar” has a little bit of everything — including elements of soul, blues, classic rock, and is, at times, reminiscent of 90’s-style pop-rock. (Think Blues Traveler or Collective Soul.)
“Liar is a big departure from my debut record and it incorporates many different aesthetics and sounds. Throughout the duration of the recording process, I worked with many talented musicians and engineers, so the experience was very collaborative,” Thompson said.
The album kicks off on a more upbeat note with “Lolita” and “Happy Endings,” and ends demurely with the still-hopeful, lyrical “Blue.” The transition is not drastic, however. Thompson manages to traverse the multiple tones and messages throughout the album in an evenly-paced manner.
“Each song on the record outlines a narrative of a certain character. Sometimes that character is me, but other times the lyrics are based upon presumptuous — and sometimes factual — information gathered from the people I've encountered throughout my travels, and my time living in Chicago,” Thompson said.
Given this, it seems appropriate that the album is layered with contrasts. They could very well be the contrasting ideals of each one of Thompson’s characters, something that is displayed in “Lolita,” the album’s first single.
It is the ideal summer song in that it is the right combination of lyrical and instrumental, with dreamlike storytelling style and an uptempo, soulful sound. Yet, it addresses artistic hardship, as it tells the story of a girl who’s a weary, struggling artist and contains lyrics like, “She wants to be a singer, a dancer and a star/ But she’s gone nowhere/ ‘Cause moving forward is so damn hard.” The chorus, amidst background “la-la-las,” clashes beautifully with the verses, as Thompson sings “Lolita/ One day we’ll all love you.”
Thompson also made a music video for “Lolita” — which was shot in Spokane — that can be seen on his YouTube channel.
Perhaps one of the most striking tracks of the whole album is the quirky fourth track, “Ivory Smile”—an apt title, as it contains a distinctive, tinkling piano sound. The piano is coupled with a ukulele, which makes for a light listening experience. It tells the story of a whimsical, whirlwind romance, complete with lyrics like “I work for nothing/ You’re all I’ll ever need,” and “Let’s take what we need to and dance like no one’s around.”
It is this track that contains one of the most poignant lyrics of the entire album: “What a delicate web we’ve spun, it’s starting to come undone.” In the context of the song, it fits snugly with the picture of their whimsical romance. Yet, it also fits perfectly with the title’s theme and the liar/honesty contrast, and serves as a great example of Thompson’s lyrical aptitude.
Thompson’s lyrics are interesting, because, while they are bare-boned and somewhat simplistic in their storytelling, they are also consistently and proficiently prolific, as in the twisting and seemingly world-weary acoustic piece “Double Knots.”
“So for all the boys and girls who are having trouble making sense of this world/Keep your chin up, hold your fist high/ Don’t ever stop fighting the good fight/ You’re on the front lines.”
It is these components in every track, and Thompson’s ability to touch on multiple themes from the emotional spectrum, from the sunny “Daylight” and the driving “Battle Cry,” to the lovely and somber “Treasure” that give “Liar” an overall well-rounded and complete feel, and provides the listener with a complete musical experience.
“I'm not the liar per-say, nor are my characters, but the title ‘Liar’ pays homage to the fact that we're all striving for something and have a story to tell,” Thompson said.
“Liar” is now available on Thompson’s website. He has also made a free download of “Lolita” available at darrickthompsonmusic.bandcamp.com. - Gonzaga Press

Anytime we can share a little Spokane, WA hometown music love, it’s a good day. Recently while having drinks with a mutual friend, I was put on to Chicago-via-Spokane musician Darrick Thompson. While there’s sea of singer songwriters flooding the internet, Darrick’s Liar LP hooked me from the get go with the album’s ridiculously catchy “Lolita”. The track’s instantly comfortable guitar work, falsetto background vocal peppering and summery melodies couldn’t have fit better in my July drives as Liar spun on my car’s CD player. Darrick skillfully crafts playful, easy-going, sunny pop without wandering into the vapid, homogenous and sometimes forgettable territory that the excesses of that sound can pander too. Simply put, Liar is a stellar summer record, but it’s got a high replay value, plenty of depth and it’s beyond behind pigeonholed as a seasonal spin.

You can download Darrick Thompson’s “Lolita” and watch the video below. Just try getting to the bridge and avoiding singin along. Additionally, you can stream the full Liar album below and follow the iTunes purchase link if you’re diggin it. - Apes on Tape

Anytime we can share a little Spokane, WA hometown music love, it’s a good day. Recently while having drinks with a mutual friend, I was put on to Chicago-via-Spokane musician Darrick Thompson. While there’s sea of singer songwriters flooding the internet, Darrick’s Liar LP hooked me from the get go with the album’s ridiculously catchy “Lolita”. The track’s instantly comfortable guitar work, falsetto background vocal peppering and summery melodies couldn’t have fit better in my July drives as Liar spun on my car’s CD player. Darrick skillfully crafts playful, easy-going, sunny pop without wandering into the vapid, homogenous and sometimes forgettable territory that the excesses of that sound can pander too. Simply put, Liar is a stellar summer record, but it’s got a high replay value, plenty of depth and it’s beyond behind pigeonholed as a seasonal spin.

You can download Darrick Thompson’s “Lolita” and watch the video below. Just try getting to the bridge and avoiding singin along. Additionally, you can stream the full Liar album below and follow the iTunes purchase link if you’re diggin it. - Apes on Tape

Never has the concept of a liar been so honest. Rife with storytelling lyrics and instrumental breaks, singer-songwriter Darrick Thompson, a Spokane native and former Zag, stretches his creative legs with his second album “Liar,” a multi-faceted, 10-track study in contrasts.
The title holds special meaning for Thompson, who was inspired by people he met while traveling.
“The title name ‘Liar’ was derived after writing ‘Lolita’ and ‘Daylight.’ I spent nearly four months demoing this record in Rome, and met many prostitutes and gypsies walking to and from gigs. So, I started creating fictional backstories of their lives,” Thompson said. “I love the title because it's provocative. It takes a very introspective person to admit their lies and exaggerations, and that in and of itself encompasses the title’s theme.”
“Liar” is anything but. It might as well be entitled “Irony, as it is a (sometimes painfully) honest representation of facets of life and inspirations so often found in musicians’ work, including love, friends, perseverance, the passing of time and the soul-searching required in life’s journey.
A prime example of this can be found in the track, “Keep Swimming.” Lyrics like, “And when you don’t want to go on/ Just keep on swimming and singing your song,” express the sentiment of personal strength, in a song otherwise fraught with regret over personal mistakes or insecurities.
Much like his debut album “I Was an Aeroplane,” “Liar” contains Thompson’s signature folksy style and his clear, resonant voice; it is rife with his stylish acoustics. “Liar” demonstrates consistency with its predecessor in that it is clear that the lyrics are heavily influenced by his own globetrotting.
Yet, there is plenty to distinguish “Liar” from “I Was an Aeroplane.” “Liar” is by far a much more sonically adventurous album. As you listen, it is evident that Thompson is comfortable with his acoustic folk style and is stretching his creativity. “Liar” has a little bit of everything — including elements of soul, blues, classic rock, and is, at times, reminiscent of 90’s-style pop-rock. (Think Blues Traveler or Collective Soul.)
“Liar is a big departure from my debut record and it incorporates many different aesthetics and sounds. Throughout the duration of the recording process, I worked with many talented musicians and engineers, so the experience was very collaborative,” Thompson said.
The album kicks off on a more upbeat note with “Lolita” and “Happy Endings,” and ends demurely with the still-hopeful, lyrical “Blue.” The transition is not drastic, however. Thompson manages to traverse the multiple tones and messages throughout the album in an evenly-paced manner.
“Each song on the record outlines a narrative of a certain character. Sometimes that character is me, but other times the lyrics are based upon presumptuous — and sometimes factual — information gathered from the people I've encountered throughout my travels, and my time living in Chicago,” Thompson said.
Given this, it seems appropriate that the album is layered with contrasts. They could very well be the contrasting ideals of each one of Thompson’s characters, something that is displayed in “Lolita,” the album’s first single.
It is the ideal summer song in that it is the right combination of lyrical and instrumental, with dreamlike storytelling style and an uptempo, soulful sound. Yet, it addresses artistic hardship, as it tells the story of a girl who’s a weary, struggling artist and contains lyrics like, “She wants to be a singer, a dancer and a star/ But she’s gone nowhere/ ‘Cause moving forward is so damn hard.” The chorus, amidst background “la-la-las,” clashes beautifully with the verses, as Thompson sings “Lolita/ One day we’ll all love you.”
Thompson also made a music video for “Lolita” — which was shot in Spokane — that can be seen on his YouTube channel.
Perhaps one of the most striking tracks of the whole album is the quirky fourth track, “Ivory Smile”—an apt title, as it contains a distinctive, tinkling piano sound. The piano is coupled with a ukulele, which makes for a light listening experience. It tells the story of a whimsical, whirlwind romance, complete with lyrics like “I work for nothing/ You’re all I’ll ever need,” and “Let’s take what we need to and dance like no one’s around.”
It is this track that contains one of the most poignant lyrics of the entire album: “What a delicate web we’ve spun, it’s starting to come undone.” In the context of the song, it fits snugly with the picture of their whimsical romance. Yet, it also fits perfectly with the title’s theme and the liar/honesty contrast, and serves as a great example of Thompson’s lyrical aptitude.
Thompson’s lyrics are interesting, because, while they are bare-boned and somewhat simplistic in their storytelling, they are also consistently and proficiently prolific, as in the twisting and seemingly world-weary acoustic piece “Double Knots.”
“So for all the boys and girls who are having trouble making sense of this world/Keep your chin up, hold your fist high/ Don’t ever stop fighting the good fight/ You’re on the front lines.”
It is these components in every track, and Thompson’s ability to touch on multiple themes from the emotional spectrum, from the sunny “Daylight” and the driving “Battle Cry,” to the lovely and somber “Treasure” that give “Liar” an overall well-rounded and complete feel, and provides the listener with a complete musical experience.
“I'm not the liar per-say, nor are my characters, but the title ‘Liar’ pays homage to the fact that we're all striving for something and have a story to tell,” Thompson said.
“Liar” is now available on Thompson’s website. He has also made a free download of “Lolita” available at darrickthompsonmusic.bandcamp.com. - Gonzaga Press