Flint Zeigler
Gig Seeker Pro

Flint Zeigler

Erwin, Tennessee, United States | INDIE

Erwin, Tennessee, United States | INDIE
Band Americana Singer/Songwriter

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Flint Zeigler- The New Harmony Sessions"

Rating: 8.4 out of 10
By Senior Writer C.W. Ross

Flint Zeigler’s first taste of musical success came when he was part of the Harrisburg, PA. based southern rock band, Grantham Road. That group had two independent releases, Desperate Times, and Parade. They also played with major acts like Hootie and the Blowfish, Saving Jane, and the Badlees.

Even with the success Zeigler knew that his real future was as a solo act. “In the years when I was playing with Grantham Road,” Zeigler says, “I always looked forward to the day when it would just be me and my guitar up there, singing and speaking directly to people’s hearts with songs that mean a lot to me….”

Zeigler list his musical influences to include, Lucinda Williams, Jayhawks, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Rich Mullins, Blue Rodeo, Golden Smog, Buddy and Julie Miller, Tom Waits, Son Volt, and Bruce Springsteen.

The New Harmony Sessions is Zeigler’s solo debut and includes songs written over the past two years. The title for the release comes from the small Indiana town where he and his producer/engineer, David Foreman (Dwight Yoakum, John Hiatt) recorded essential tracks found on the release.

There’s also a spiritual story behind the album’s title that talks to Zeigler’s spiritual side. The town of New Harmony, (near Evansville) Indiana was named by its original inhabitants, a tribe of Indians who believed the veil to the next world was thinnest at that spot and closest to heaven.

The eleven songs found on The New Harmony Sessions are raw and not over worked. They tried to keep the sound as close to live as possible. The end result is a blending of folk, Americana, and roots rock music that is driven by the song’s lyrics.

The song’s instrumentation are kept sparse not over cluttering the songs. One added instrumentation that I did enjoy though was the strings (cello, violin, mandolin). They worked very well bringing out the best sound possible in several of the songs.

While this isn’t a, ‘Christian Release,’ there’s no getting around the spiritual connection found in the song lyrics, and Zeigler’s faith life. The songs are filled with personal experiences that many people will be able to relate to with their themes of, family, marriage, God, faith, loss, failure, hope and redemption.

The song’s lyrics aren’t preachy, going more for the real life lessons approach. Zeigler believes that this album can work to bridge the gap between people, the religious and the non-religious, the ragamuffins and the CEO’s, the depressed and the impressive, all people, due to its introspective ponderings of the soul.

“I want the music on this album to feel good and give listeners from all walks of life a powerful emotional experience but also a sense of calmness and connectivity,” He continues saying. “I hope that the songs can touch people spiritually and also inspire them to think of things beyond themselves. David and I both wanted the sounds and vibes reminiscent of old jazz and country recordings. As the producer, he gave me the freedom to let these songs develop very naturally and took the vibe to the next level by bringing in some amazing outside musicians. It’s my vision, combined with their personalities, which make The New Harmony Sessions a project to be very proud of.”

Highlight tracks from this release for me include, track-1, “Martyrs,” a roots rock song that deals with reflecting back after a New Year’s celebration. Seeing that by trying to plan things out to much, can sometimes lead to closing doors that could have offered up wonderful experiences if only you would have been more spontaneous in your thinking.

Another highlight is track-6; “In These Days.” This is one of those songs where the string parts really help to add an extra nuance. This song deals with the loss of people in today’s world that are willing to take a strong stance for their faith, willing to stand in the firing line for it. The song references people of strong faith like, Martin Luther, Mother Theresa and John The Baptist. The song wonders has God stopped talking to us or have people just become to busy with worldly things to take the time to listen for His voice?

The New Harmony Sessions is a really rock solid musical effort that entertains you while also opening up your mind to ponder its song’s lyrics.

Similar Sounding Artist: Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Jacob Dylan
- Indie Music Stop


"FAME Review: Flint Zeigler - New Harmony Sessions"

There's a nakedness to Flint Zegler that falls just a bit short in the first cut, Martyrs, a song that doesn't quite reach the atmospherics of the rest of the slate, but the next two come down solidly, and the fourth blends between all three, raw but melodic, intriguing for its inventiveness while jarring and open-breasted, pouring forth the composer's angst and battles with the world. Frequent dissonance marks the cut, Bridge, as a track to be paid attention to, building on a rootsy folk baseline while stepping into a different dimension.

Zeigler's instrumental backing is crucial, spare but necessary, evocative, especially Paul Patterson's cello and violin. Zeigler himself has a strong Christian background but rarely pushes it into the listener's face, thus transcending dogma and cant, although things get a bit thick in In These Days, rescued by the singer's heartfelt sadness. The cut's a mini-opera genuinely tugging at emotions and memory, paced and dramatic, a plea to reconsider the way of things through recently passed icons.

Felt Like Rain is strong with Bruce Cockburn confidence anh northern plains so that, by the time this segment of the CD is reached the kindredness between the two is understood. Cockburn, a Christian mystic, writes quite similarly in this vein, though Zeigler's closer to the ground, more like a James Isaak (here) or perhaps one of those few times when Springsteen got real, way back when, remembering where he came from. The drama rises back up in Room of Cards, cymbals clashing, pulse accelerating, ragged voice calling for an honest re-assessment of society beneath individual lies. There's a lot of strength and honesty here, not always properly poeticized lyrically but urgent and reflective, with much to recommend the disc, especially as it has the feel which marks a penultimate prelude to what will be his true manifestation.

Track List:
Martyrs
Strong
Gone Away
Bridge
Survive
In These Days
Felt Like Rain
Sorrow and Gain
Touch and Bloom
Room of Cards
Molly

All songs written by Flint Zeigler.

Edited by: David N.=20 Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com

Copyright 2009, Peterborough Folk=Music Society.

- FAME


"New Harmony Sessions"



Singer-songwriter Flint Ziegler comes across strong on this new collection of 11 tracks. Fans of The Wallflowers, the rootsier side of Wilco, and Counting Crows will find much to like here as Ziegler cranks out song after song filled with memorable lyrics and characters. Kicking off with the indelible “Martyrs” and working his way through the stretch of “Strong,” “Gone Away” and “Bridge,” Ziegler proves that he is a thoughtful songwriter who doesn’t overdo it. His lyrics on such numbers as “Touch and Bloom” give one a chance to pause and reflect on Zigler’s world without feeling alienated by it. Too many times songwriters like Ziegler find it much more important to make sure you get the message with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, but here the music and words balance each other perfectly. Call it Americana, call it rootsy, call it what you will. New Harmony Sessions is a fine album well worth hearing.

- By Jason Thompson


"Flint – The New Harmony Sessions (CD)"

“Gone Away” is a simple, impassioned track that is devious in regards to the amount of different things that are actually taking place during the track. Of course, the vocals shine through brightly, putting together hints of Jakob Dylan with Dave Matthews, but guitars play at the periphery, adding a proper ambiance to the track. Drums add a solid foundation for the track, and by the time a minute or so has passed, Flint have created a single-worthy track. “Martyrs” has the vocals continue on the same path as they did during “Gone Away”, albeit with a tinge little more John Popper added.
The slower, deliberate approach taken by Flint here allows for the piano to shine in a way not heard outside of a Billy Joel. Where a number of tracks on “The New Harmony Sessions” have a classic sound to them, Flint do a tremendous job linking this sound with a current and contemporary sound. This means that listeners of all age, of all fan bases will be able to find something that they can appreciate on “The New Harmony Sessions”. “In These Days” begins in a much more instrumental vein, at times taking on some of the sound of the neo-folk movement before the vocals ultimately kick in. The vocals do a hell of a job here, acting more in an ancillary way to the instrumentation rather than subjugating the instrumentation to the vocal’s (and vocalist’s) desires.
What results is one of “The New Harmony Sessions”’s most touching tracks. It is this track that I can see the true beauty of Flint; Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, and other mainstays in the adult contemporary / Christian scene are able to be found in the beautiful vocals contained within. After listening to “The New Harmony Sessions”, I want to hear future releases by Flint, and I would give anything to see them in a live context. Here’s to hoping that the act can continue to make some more of this amazing music in the years to come, and that they can touch more people with their message with every passing day.
Top Tracks: Gone Away, In These Days
Rating: 8.6/10
Flint – The New Harmony Sessions / 2009 Self - Posted by James on January 30th, 2009


Discography

Marks of Another Year- 2010
New Harmony Sessions- 2008
Love Is A Rose (Parade single)
I Won't Fight (Parade single)
Wide Awake (Parade single)
They Fell Out A Window (Parade single)
Parade- 2006
Angels We Have Heard On High- (WXPN Christmas Compilation)
Desperate Times- 2004

Photos

Bio

Zeigler’s music career has been a steady, consistent progression, all of which point to growth and maturity of a seasoned, stellar songwriter. His years fronting roots-rock band Grantham Road around Pennsylvania and the surrounding states produced 3 albums, numerous radio singles that generated air-play across the country, sharing the stage with national bands like Hootie and the Blowfish, Saving Jane, and the Badlees, along with playing festivals with Jars of Clay, the Subdudes and others in the northeast. Flint has also built a fan base that has stuck by him over into his solo career. Grantham Road album “Parade” charted at #26 in the Roots Music chart and Flint’s verison of Neil Young’s “Love is a Rose” has been a favorite since it’s release in 2006.

Flint’s 2008 debut solo album, “New Harmony Sessions”, showed a break from the clanging electric guitars and showcased the acoustic, intimate side of Flint’s creative mind. Teaming up with Over The Rhine’s live band, Mickey Grimm and Jake Bradley, and engineer, David Foreman, the result was a singer/songwriter’s delight. The songs lyrics were showcased and the music was moody, dark and very live. Most of the basic tracks were recorded in an 1800's mansion in Indiana with all the players sitting together in the same room. Flint also used Pennsylvania musician Maurice Crane for the piano tracks which began the process for “Marks of Another Year”.

A move to Johnson City, TN put Zeigler in a position to be a part of not only the Tennessee music scene but also the Asheville, NC scene and formed a nice landscape to release a new project. Flint made trips to Pennsylvania to record with Maurice and his wife Wendy along with members of their band Creekside Soul. The setting was rural Pennsylvania, the rolling hills, family farms and Amish buggies. The sounds were old trucks and tractors, quiet, cool evenings and old friends sharing stories of life. The album is Flint’s past, present and future all finding their niche and working together. Fender Telecasters through old tube amps, subtle piano lines, the crack of the snare drum and vocal harmonies that are sung from soul to soul, “Marks of Another Year” is all it’s own, not just recycled sounds from previous releases.

The sounds and textures of a recording is only a part of the full equation though, and Zeigler’s lyrics have always taken precedence. “Marks of Another Year” is brimming with beautiful imagery, haunting storylines and thought-provoking concepts imbedded in songs about faith, love, death and second chances. Title track “Marks of Another Year” is the acceptance of all one has been through and allowing it to be used for our own good instead of regrets. “Wait” is a song about a miscarriage and the pain and hopelessness that is only understood through the eyes of those left behind. In “You and I Remain”, Zeigler sings about a love that will endure through anything that this world can offer saying, “Three years have finally passed, we saw what the fire claimed and marveled at the sky, where soot and ash had laid to waste. And I could not let you go, with marks along the river shore where your skin is honesty and the faith that this world needs.....” . Flint reveals some of his influences from authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky and Brennan Manning in “Looking for Wings” where he retells the story of the second coming of Christ in a more modern-day setting. Zeigler’s newest release is the culmination of all the singer has been through and a solid foundation for where he sets his eyes for the future.

Origivation Magazine said “....the heart of (the music) is, unquestionably, frontman Flint Zeigler’s gravely and extremely pleasant voice....” . NEPAtoday.com agreed, calling Zeigler’s voice "infectious" and Helen Liecht of WXPN in Philadelphia also praised Flint’s vocals after adding his version of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ to the WXPN music library. Flint’s mature song writing has also earned him approval with many audiences and critics. HBGonline.com compared his song writing with greats such as The Allman Brothers and Skynyrd, saying the songs “...contain lyrical innovation that is a shade sharper than anything country has thought of in decades....”.

Flint's songs have been heard nationwide on stations like WXPN (Philadelphia, PA). WNNK (Harrisburg, PA), WACC (Middletown, CT), WXPK (New York, NY), WBCG (Port Charlotte, FL), KNBA (Anchorage, AK), along with stations in South Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.