Luke Sayers & The Last to Know
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Luke Sayers & The Last to Know

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"Sideman moves front and center"

Bassist from Tangerine Trousers has his own songs, own band now.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
BY WILL STEWART
News Special Writer

For most of his life, first in high school rock bands, then as a jazz sideman and, finally, as bassist in the popular Michigan folk combo Tangerine Trousers, Luke Sayers was content to take a musical back seat. But all along, the songs were bubbling just below the surface.

"Eventually, I just felt it was now or never,'' said the 30-year-old singer-songwriter, who will perform with his folk-rock group, Last to Know, at The Ark on Wednesday. "I put it all on the table and I had a good time, but ultimately it wasn't fulfilling. "Once I started writing my own songs, that was the final piece of the puzzle.''

Sayers' ascent as a songwriter came just as Tangerine Trousers' journey from local nobodies to regional folk-music stars was in its descent. In 2004, lead singers and primary songwriters Pat and C.J. Milroy decided to form their own duo, the Milroys, marking the end of a several-year run that was highlighted by the Trousers' appearance at the 2004 Ann Arbor Folk Festival. Sayers saw it as an opening. "I had deferred as a sideman for all those years,'' he said. "Now, I decided this was something I wanted to pursue full-on.''

Sayers, who had studied music at both Western Michigan University and Wayne State University, went into the studio with some songs he'd been collecting over the years. The resulting EP, "Songbook,'' was released last October to critical acclaim. To celebrate the CD's release, Sayers found himself playing in front of a band that looked rather familiar, since it included his former Trousers mates Pat Shanley on guitar, Michael Hacala on drums and Mark Iannace on accordion. Ironically, Sayers, who made his name in music on upright bass, plays nylon-string acoustic guitar in his own group. "The classical guitar feels as natural to me now as the upright bass did for all those years,'' he said. The quartet has been performing as Luke Sayers and the Last to Know ever since that first gig.

"When the Trousers disbanded, we had to cancel our last gig and the four of us felt bad about it,'' Sayers said. "We thought we'd play together this one last time as a sort of a send-off. "But instead of an ending, it turned out to be the beginning of a new band.''

And one that has gained some important attention. The group traveled to Austin, Texas, earlier this year to perform at a Folk Alliance convention, and this month's Ark appearance is preceded by a gig at the Detroit Festival of the Arts. The Folk Alliance performance - the group was the only Michigan act invited to play - was a turning point in cementing the new group as an ongoing concern. "They could see that I had a real vision for what we could do and it sparked everyone to pursue the group as an angle,'' Sayers said. "Since then, it's only gotten better.''

Sayers' solo music shares some common ground with Tangerine Trousers' signature brand of high-energy folk-rock. He and his band mates expertly stack harmonies on jazz-and-country tinged arrangements that showcase Sayers' previously latent gift for nuanced, understated songwriting. "We're going for more stylistically, more of a crafted kind of style'' than the Trousers' sound, Sayers said. "The biggest similarity is that it's the four of us up on stage.''

Sayers said returning to The Ark, where Tangerine Trousers made their foothold not only in Ann Arbor but in the larger folk community, is the ultimate validation for a songwriter whose full talent is only just beginning to emerge. "We tried to hit as many towns as we could and get as good as we could before we tried to come back to The Ark,'' he said. "Ann Arbor - and The Ark in particular - has always been really good to me as a musician and I wanted to be sure that we were ready for it.

"Now I know we're ready.'' - The Ann Arbor News


"Duo making its shot one town at a time"

All you need is a shot at an audience. Opportunity, however, is the hardest thing to come by in the music business, Luke Sayers says.

On Thursday, he'll prove why he deserves a chance, when he and Mark Iannace perform at Fiddler's Hearth in South Bend.

The Michigan-based duo's music, Sayers says, springs from "that place where soul music and country music start to bleed over into one another."

The two met in 2001, when Sayers joined Iannace's band, Tangerine Trousers, to play upright bass and acoustic guitar, sing and write songs for the group.

Fast forward to today.

Sayers and Iannace are a dynamic duo who "play off each other very well," Sayers says.

Sayers is the primary songwriter, but both make large contributions to the music.

"I believe that what sets us apart is how we arrange each song so that there is a full and rich instrumental foundation," he says. "We want the listener to be able to get caught up in the story of the lyrics while at the same time being able to appreciate the instrumental arrangement."

Sayers says Willie Nelson has served as a strong influence on him in his dedication to originality.

"His unique approach to everything is a testimonial to individualism if ever there was one," he says.

The time between Tangerine Trousers and now has seen Sayers embrace the "wide-ranging influences" that inspire songs as opposed to trying to "dumb them down."

He compares his sound now to "harmonic progressions reminiscent of The Beatles, grooves that flow from Ray Charles, and melodies that come from a love of country and jazz standards."

Sayers emphasizes that he doesn't try to fit his music into a certain genre. He just does what feels best.

Doing what feels right and realizing that "you can really connect so much more by being 100 percent yourself," has allowed Sayers to take a fresh perspective about his songwriting.

He focuses on taking the listener on a journey and allows the song to take on "a life of its own. I won't try to manipulate it into something it wasn't meant to be."

The release of Sayers and Iannace's CD, "Long Way Back," symbolizes what they hope is the next step on their own trip.

" 'Long Way Back' represents the journey of these musical comrades who reinvented themselves through friendship and a deep love for making music," Sayers says.

That love is the reason Sayers wants people to "hear the growth in my songwriting. ... I want to spread the word literally one town at a time and hope to make enough of an impression so that they'll come back next time. What Mark and I have established is very special to me, and I want to give all I can to see it through."

Staff writer Angela Snyder
- South Bend Tribune


"Recomendations"

“You have to get out and see Luke Sayers and Mark Iannace. These two are wonderfully
talented songwriters, but it is in the live performance that their music takes on wings.
Their new CD, 'Long Way Back', is a must listen to for fans of thoughtful folk rock."
- Bill Keith, Trinity House Theatre

“Luke Sayers has a powerful, passionate voice, and it's put to good use on the heartfelt, beautifully written tunes on his new CD (Long Way Back)."
- Martin Bandyke, 107.1FM Ann Arbor

“Luke is a soulful and passionate singer with a great voice, strong personal charisma and a tremendous potential to be a major artist. I look forward to watching how his musical career develops.”
- Mike Green (booking agent), Mike Green & Associates - various


"Luke Sayers: He's finding success by tapping acoustic American roots sound"

It's been three years since Luke Sayers ventured out on his own. Once a bassist for Tangerine Trousers, Sayers (with Mark Iannace; the full name of the duo is Luke Sayers and the Last to Know) has traveled the country with his blues/country-inspired folk music. He's seen bar fights, played for semi-interested audiences and achieved a measure of success in an often unforgiving genre taking first place in the 2005 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest.

Sayers, 32, has a sound that's easy to listen to even for the hardest of rockers and the most casual of pop fans. We caught up with him on the phone from his home in Royal Oak.

Would you call yourself primarily a folk singer or are you more?
I'd say it's more than that. Folk is encompassing many styles and genres into one. I'd call it acoustic American roots because it draws from all the music that comes from the ground of this country for several hundred years. They're all related with the storytelling.

Describe your style of songwriting.
I try to create word images and make it almost like I'm writing a scene and give some background and imagery. As far as the music, I let it go wherever. Sometimes it ends up being a more traditional pattern and rhythm. It can get more world influences or funky. I find more Motown making its way into my music.

What's your live show like?
There is definitely a camaraderie between Mark and I. We have a good time. I don't have a set list and I read the audience. We do a lot of banter between the two of us and go with whatever strikes us at the moment.

Have you found good crowds for the type of music that you play?
It's been kind of hit or miss ... you go in and one room might be packed and most of the people are watching TV. You can go to a place that's like a theater and there might be half the amount of people, but they're hanging on every word. That's why we play, because there's no other way to get it out there.

How important is it for you to be a storyteller as well as a musician?
It's important to me because I appreciate content in the lyrics of the songs I really love by the artists I really enjoy. If I hear a poignant lyric or am moved by a story ... that's why I try to create a scene or capture a moment. It's a common experience and it's something they can take in their own life.

Do you have a favorite rock band that influences you?
I'd say Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They encompass a lot of qualities I like. My favorite of any artist is Willie Nelson.

Has anyone ever got out of line in the audience?
There was a little fight at one of our shows in Toledo about a month and a half ago. It was funny because the two involved didn't cause as much trouble as the crowd running out to see it. Someone almost ran into our speaker. Besides that, there's the off the wall comment to play some Skynyrd.
- Lansing State Journal NOISE


Discography

"Radio Flower" - independent release 2008

"Long Way Back" - independent release 2007

"Songbook; the introduction" - independent release 2005

The following radio stations play Luke's music regularly:

WCSX 94.7 FM - Detroit, MI
WQKL 107.1 FM - Ann Arbor, MI
WYCE 88.1 FM - Grand Rapids, MI
WNMC 90.7 FM - Traverse City, MI
WVPE 88.1 FM - Elkhart, IN
WDET 101.9 FM - Detroit, MI
Several internet based radio programs also play Luke's music regularly.

All 3 CDs are available for sale as digital downlaods, & streaming via Sonicbids, CDBaby.com, lukesayers.com, iTunes, and www.myspace.com/lukesayers

Photos

Bio

As an acoustic American roots artist, Luke begins with the blues, draws on the story telling tradition of country and folk, and brings his lyrics to life through soaring melodies set against the backdrop of energetic grooves derived from pop rock.

The former bassist, a songwriter, singer, and acoustic guitarist with the successful acoustic Americana band Tangerine Trousers left the group to pursue a solo career in the fall of 2004. During Luke’s 3 years in Tangerine Trousers the group received 3 Detroit Music Awards including Outstanding Acoustic Recording for “Dressed for success”, which also got strong reviews from national magazines such as Performing Songwriter (“…damn cool! ) and No Depression ( “An unassuming powerhouse” ). As a member of the Trousers, Luke grew from his traditional role as upright bassist into a songwriter, singer, and acoustic guitarist. Since then Luke’s debut solo CD "Songbook; the introduction" was released in 2005, and Luke has reunited with his fellow former Tangerine Trousers band mate Mark Iannace. Their unique sound featuring “the duo's bang-up harmonies at times recalling Barenaked Ladies” (the Grand Rapids Press), nylon & steel string acoustic, electric guitar, mandolin, and accordion have recently been complimented by the dynamic drumming of Mike Gabelman & Michael Hacala.

Recent highlights for the group include:

*The Detroit Music Award nominations for:

-Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Recording (Long Way Back) 2008
-Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Instrumentalist - Luke Sayers (acoustic guitar) 2008
-Outstanding Folk Artist 2007
-Outstanding Acoustic Instrumentalist - Mark Iannace (accordion) 2007
-Outstanding Acoustic Artist 2006, and
-Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Songwriter in 2005,

*WYCE "Jammie" nomination for Best Local Folk Recording 2008

*The only Michigan artists selected for an official showcase at the 2006 International Folk Alliance Conference (the acoustic roots version of SXSW) in Austin, TX.

*1st place in the 2005 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest for Luke’s song “What I should've said"

Luke Sayers and Mark Iannace released the EP length CD “Long Way Back” at legendary acoustic music venue The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI on May 13th, 2007 for which they have received the following praise:

“Luke Sayers has a powerful, passionate voice, and it's put to good use on the heartfelt, beautifully written tunes on his new CD (Long Way Back)." - Martin Bandyke, 107.1 FM Ann Arbor

“You have to get out and see Luke Sayers and Mark Iannace. These two are wonderfully
talented songwriters, but it is in the live performance that their music takes on wings.
Their new CD, 'Long Way Back', is a must listen to for fans of thoughtful folk rock."
- Bill Keith, Trinity House Theatre

Luke is pleased to present a soulful collection of 11 new original songs for people who like honest, melodious, & deep grooving music on his CD “Radio Flower”. This is Luke's third release as a solo artist, and his first full length recording.

“Radio Flower” touches on themes that connect us through the common human experience. Searching the radio for a familiar tune while you're lost on a long stretch of unfamiliar highway; being unappreciated in your home town; sticking your foot in your mouth; trying to save a loved one from themselves; even getting involved in an inappropriate workplace relationship. The arrangements are delivered by the tightly knit trio of Luke Sayers (lead and harmony vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, upright bass, mandolin, and percussion), Mark Iannace (harmony vocal, accordion, keyboards, and percussion), and Mike Gabelman (drums). Special guest appearances by Jill Jack (duet vocal) & Pat Shanley (electric guitar) on the two sides to every story-punch drunk love-just leave the bottle torch song “Bitter Wine”, as well as Bobby Parker (trumpet) on the New Orleans influenced groove of “They don't want me” give the recording some wonderfully unexpected flavor.

“Radio Flower” features Luke's song “What I should've said” which won first place in the 2005 Great Lakes Songwriting Competition. Here it is stripped down to a duo performance with the seamless harmony that is the result of Luke and Mark singing together at hundreds of shows at the forefront. Another highlight is Luke's arrangement of Johnny Cash's “I'm a worried man”, which leans naturally towards the songs Jamaican roots while inspired by Willie Nelson's guitar playing and Paul Simon ala “Graceland” African rhythms. “Radio Flower” is full of the sound that Christian Czerwinski of the Lansing State Journal NOISE called “easy to listen to even for the hardest of rockers and the most casual of pop fans”.

Luke has become known for his passionate and uninhibited live performances in which a pound of flesh, blood, sweat, and tears are always given freely for appreciative audiences. Andy Robinson of Taylor guitar’s Wood and Steel magazine said that Luke’s song One for 3 “must be