Derek Chafin

Born in West Virginia, Chafin grew up in Philadelphia, where he has been a mainstay of the city's musical life since his debut with the Philadelphia Opera Company at age ten. As a member of some of Philly's most critically acclaimed bands (X's + O's, Head, and Superstatic), Chafin has honed his chops and songwriting talents playing with some of the nation's biggest acts and puking backstage at all of the region's worst clubs. His songwriting reflects the emotional intensity of the Beat Generation poets, and has earned the attention of the record industry and national press. A.I.R Records will release Chafin’s two, yes two, new records, The Gladhouse and Echoplexed, both containing all the elements that have become emblematic of his sound: dynamic songwriting, beautiful melodies and up lifting, hypnotic vocals.

The Echoplexed CD is one of those rare records that raises the bar and sets the agenda for the entire industry. If there's such a thing as subtlety and visceral beauty at 160 decibels, this is it. Think of it as the end of rock and roll as you know it-- and the beginning of something better. Something louder, more soulful. The sound of a blast furnace overflowing with attitude, edge, and razor-sharp lyricism. Above all else, Derek’s music is about tunefulness. It's about what a song can be and where the medium is going.

Echoplexed was produced by Steve Durkee. Chafin was invited out for a recording session at Prince's Paisley Park Studio, and it was there that he met Steve Durkee, the producer and engineer behind Echoplexed unique recording sound. As lead engineer on all of Prince's hottest records, Durkee is one of the most creative and innovative engineers in the business. His work with Derek comes on the heels of engineering duties for the Prince, Rage Against the Machine, Buckcherry, Paul McCartney and AIR. Durkee’s enthusiasm for the material and penchant for experimentation was perfect for the kind of record Chafin wanted to make.

On the acoustic based Gladhouse, Chafin’s voice whispers, then effortlessly soars with a powerful intensity, evoking candlelit warmth. Along with chiming guitar, a delicate chamber orchestra slowly enters your consciousness. Drums and bass morph from a soft glow to a white-hot bolt from the sky. The listening experience touches on Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks, Zeppelin III, Nick Drake’s Pink Moon and Rubber Soul.

The spontaneous approach to recording, coupled with making his debut without the collaboration of a band, makes The Gladhouse Chafin’s most personal effort. Time was limited, as Chafin had to juggle recording his record with other commitments – he’s an in-demand producer for such acts as reggae band Riddem Nation and fresh voice Seth Kallen. His range as a producer includes a variety of genres, including work on bossa nova legend Astrud Gilberto’s record.

“Come With Me” a sinuous, sensual tune of longing, is almost a blueprint for the record, a journey waiting to be taken – quiet yet by turns explosive. What might be his most personal song, “Huntington,” is haunting. The song takes its title from the town in West Virginia where Chafin was born. The song ties together the town and his father, their concurrent decline and conflict, and the eternal, indomitable beauty in a goodbye. “There’s no mystery/To what you don’t say…Well I miss you now/But I do not regret…To hate the father/And still love the man.”

The resulting record is beautiful, honest and stripped down to it essence, hinging on references to light, dark and dreams that become tangible. Swooping, soaring musicianship is contrasted by incisive and insightful lyrics. Ruminations on sorrow, wonder and redemption bend perceptions of truth and reality.

One can only wonder what will be next, but know that it’s going take up residence in your CD player.