Frankie Palmer

I was pretty stoked to stumble upon the music of LA resident Frankie Palmer the other day. His 2012 debut Thoroughfare is an undiscovered gem now streaming on Soundcloud. As a music blogger it’s the type of record you hope people would email you about to write up. Instead I get emails for the worst crap you could imagine. This is a record that you would expect to be discovered and championed by someone cool like Aquarium Drunkard (can you hear me Justin?!). It’s sorta lofi jangly pop with elements of folk (acoustic guitars) and country (tasteful pedal steel, banjo). A companion EP to Thoroughfare has just been released.

Now that Bon Iver is hanging up his project perhaps there is room for another complete unknown to take his place. Please God let Frankie Palmer have recorded this in a shack by the beach in Santa Monica after a bad breakup with his girlfriend. That along with these excellent songs could just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. You can buy Thoroughfare here via Bandcamp. - Songs:Illinois

www.laisswell.com/frankiepalmer.htm

1. Did you take music lessons in school?

I played trumpet in band class at middle school, then took a few guitar lessons in high school.

2. What instrument did you initially gravitate towards?

I started out playing Beatles songs on acoustic guitar when I was a kid, but was always really drawn to the Electric guitar. I wanted to play solos like Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page.

3. How many do you play now?

I don't know, I have a bunch of instruments lying around, banjos, mandolins, a hammer dulcimer, analog synth, a pedal steel, bass, drums, had a sitar once, been through a lot of guitars. I wouldn't say I know how to play all of them well, but I can sort of fake it to look like I know what i'm doing.

4. Tell us about some of the interesting instruments youve gotten off Craigslist and who you got them from.

Probably my most recent find was an MSA Petal Steel Guitar. I was stoked because used Petal Steels are usually pretty hard to come by on the west coast. I bought it from a guy who hadn't tuned it up since the late 60's. I also found 16 track 1/2 Inch tape machine that was brand new sitting in a garage for $350, originally $9000 when it came out in the 80s.

5. Will you remain a solo artist or perhaps play with a full band again?

I don't know, being in a band doesn't sound appealing to me right now. I don't want to worry about the logistics that goes along with being in bands, relying on everyone to show up to practice and gigs on time, hauling a bunch of equipment across town. I like the idea of being able to jump on a plane with just a guitar and play in front of a few friends at some coffee shop without making a scene about it.

6. You recently played a Django Rheinhardt inspired night with other musical acts. How did you get involved with this?

Yea, it was great experience. Paloma, my violist played a show with a musical theatre group, one of the musicians there asked her if we would be interested in doing a Django night that he was putting on. It was a perfect opportunity because we always talked about playing gypsy jazz together but never got around to learning how, so It really pushed us to practice a new style of music and perform out of our comfort zones.

And will more things like this happen soon?

Hope so, We have show coming up at Tangier in Los Feliz July 2 with some friends Ferraby Lionheart and Marcus Congleton of Ambulance LTD.

7. Are you recording anything right now?

Yea, I just recently started tracking some new songs at a recording studio in North Hollywood. Some great engineers and producers are helping me put together an EP. It’ll be a full production of all kinds of instruments, vocal harmonies, drums, bass. I’m excited for it. - LAISSWELL.COM