Remy St. Claire
Clover, South Carolina, United States | SELF
Music
Press
You Sing I Write blog music reviews: Annie Reuter
Artist: Remy St Claire Album: Black and White
Throughout the LP St. Claire mixes memorable soundscapes alongside vivid imagery within his lyrics. Whether he’s talking about politics, relationships or putting things into a historical context, his music impresses.
Black & White begins with wavering electric guitar on “Here and Gone.” Alongside guitar distortion and heavy percussion his inner questioning is revealed. “I am here and gone/Am I weak or strong?” he asks. Later, singing of philosophy and having nowhere to roam, the music picks up with more of a jazzy component complete with organ and St. Claire’s echoed vocals.
Next song, “Tom Foolery” adds dark strings to mimic the wind which is heard at the track’s start. Meanwhile, St. Claire’s soft vocals are noticed for the first time. “Tom Foolery” also features his powerful vocals as he perfects the crescendos.
“Up the Sound” accomplishes exactly what the title implies. Belting the lyrics alongside memorable electric guitar, the percussion tells a memorable tale. St. Claire’s higher vocal range channels a Freddie Mercury-like singing style with impeccable guitar riffs, having the standout track leave its mark.
St. Claire’s diversity from track to track is impressive. Whether he’s whispering or belting the lyrics, each song varies with theatrical highs and heart shattering lows. “Nero” once again switches gears, this time with strums of the acoustic guitar and Claire’s wavering, rustic vocals. A short track clocking in at nearly three minutes long, he manages to get his point across.
While “Nero” is the shortest track on the EP, it only makes sense that it be followed by the longest song on the release. The ethereal 10-minute long “Death On the Bayou” is melancholy and suspenseful. Throughout the song minute long instrumentals include foot-stomping rhythms alongside gritty riffs and impressive slide guitar.
“Freedom Doesn’t Come” closes the album with brighter vocals. Though he’s singing of desperation, his warm vocals and upbeat music paints an entirely different picture. “Lonesome is all that I am,” he sings passionately. With a release this strong, Remy St. Claire won’t be lonesome for too long. Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
- You Sing I Write: Annie Reuter
You Sing I Write blog music reviews: Annie Reuter
Artist: Remy St Claire Album: Black and White
Throughout the LP St. Claire mixes memorable soundscapes alongside vivid imagery within his lyrics. Whether he’s talking about politics, relationships or putting things into a historical context, his music impresses.
Black & White begins with wavering electric guitar on “Here and Gone.” Alongside guitar distortion and heavy percussion his inner questioning is revealed. “I am here and gone/Am I weak or strong?” he asks. Later, singing of philosophy and having nowhere to roam, the music picks up with more of a jazzy component complete with organ and St. Claire’s echoed vocals.
Next song, “Tom Foolery” adds dark strings to mimic the wind which is heard at the track’s start. Meanwhile, St. Claire’s soft vocals are noticed for the first time. “Tom Foolery” also features his powerful vocals as he perfects the crescendos.
“Up the Sound” accomplishes exactly what the title implies. Belting the lyrics alongside memorable electric guitar, the percussion tells a memorable tale. St. Claire’s higher vocal range channels a Freddie Mercury-like singing style with impeccable guitar riffs, having the standout track leave its mark.
St. Claire’s diversity from track to track is impressive. Whether he’s whispering or belting the lyrics, each song varies with theatrical highs and heart shattering lows. “Nero” once again switches gears, this time with strums of the acoustic guitar and Claire’s wavering, rustic vocals. A short track clocking in at nearly three minutes long, he manages to get his point across.
While “Nero” is the shortest track on the EP, it only makes sense that it be followed by the longest song on the release. The ethereal 10-minute long “Death On the Bayou” is melancholy and suspenseful. Throughout the song minute long instrumentals include foot-stomping rhythms alongside gritty riffs and impressive slide guitar.
“Freedom Doesn’t Come” closes the album with brighter vocals. Though he’s singing of desperation, his warm vocals and upbeat music paints an entirely different picture. “Lonesome is all that I am,” he sings passionately. With a release this strong, Remy St. Claire won’t be lonesome for too long. Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
- You Sing I Write: Annie Reuter
"Remy St Claire an up and coming star from the Charlotte area.....fantastic songwriting" - Divakar
"Remy St Claire an up and coming star from the Charlotte area.....fantastic songwriting" - Divakar
"Remy St Claire an up and coming star from the Charlotte area.....fantastic songwriting" - Divakar
"Remy St Claire an up and coming star from the Charlotte area.....fantastic songwriting" - Divakar
"Remy St Claire an up and coming star from the Charlotte area.....fantastic songwriting" - Divakar
Remy St. Claires first interview has come out in the Rock Hill Herald today written by
Debbie Jet Jennings who says, " Witnessing the emergence of an artist like Remy St. Claire is a compelling opportunity." And also says if your in the area make sure you, " Get your introduction to the bluesy rock-edged musical magic at 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. in Charlotte."
Read the whole article here:
http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/03/11/2901069/tribute-band-black-illusion-channels.html##ixzz1GKP51HGh - The Herald
Remy St. Claire was on the 90 Minutes of New and Local Music show on 106.5 hosted by Divakar. He played two acoustic songs live in studio as well as several songs from the album. - 106.5 The End in Charlotte, NC
There are some common threads that bind us. A universal principle is there will always be a “new crop” coming up: new artists, musicians, actors, teachers, business leaders, etc. This is an exciting concept to embrace, knowing there is another cool artist to discover around the corner. Remy St. Claire is an up-and-coming bluesy rock musician you have a chance to hear play this evening at the Double Door Inn.
Remy St. Claire Live at The Legendary Studio East. Photo © Britany Porter 2011
Tonight is extra special because it is the Remy St. Claire CD Release Show and Party at the legendary Double Door Inn. St. Claire and his band will play tracks from his brand new CD release, “The Black & White Album,” as well as share some unique takes on classic covers. Listening to St. Claire brings back feelings of old, dark rock and roll with some edgy blues. You haven’t heard it before, but sometimes you may catch a brief deja vu of earlier decades listening to Lou Reed or Jim Morrison. His music has depth and passion, which is the best kind of music to see live.
Since this June 30 show is to celebrate the release of “The Black & White Album,” the first 50 people will receive a free CD and T-shirt. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Cover charge is only $5, but women get in for free. (I suggest getting there early for a good spot.) When asked about why he chose the Double Door Inn for this CD release, St. Claire says the Double Door Inn is the place to hear blues and rock in the Charlotte area.
The Double Door Inn has been around since the early ’70s and its name is synonymous with live blues and rock ‘n’ roll. There are endless stories about famous musicians gracing their stage, and nowadays they welcome a variety of music genres to the stage. But, as a good friend told me, a friend who’s been a regular at the Double Door Inn for decades,“ I love that place. No pretensions. Only one reason to be there, to listen to the music.”
St. Claire was born in Charlotte, but moved to Savannah, Ga. to be a student at Savannah College of Art and Design. However, he ended up playing music more than going to art class. St. Claire loves Savannah, where he says he feels most at home. It’s in this eclectic, artsy city where most of the music for “The Black & White Album” was written. Savannah is also where he discovered the music of his biggest influence, Son House. Playing with these musicians, often in the streets, is where he really learned about the blues. It’s interesting that in Savannah sometimes the passionate array of street performers get a bigger audience than in the bars.
If you want more of St. Claire’s music, he’ll soon have buying links to iTunes and Amazon. And, if you live in Boone, N.C, the album will be for sale in Lorettas Vendetta on Kings Street with other stores in the local area to be posted soon. There are also plans for performances at several festivals and other new gigs, so check back to his website in the near future for details.
- Knightarts.org
For his first live Queen City club date at The Double Door, Remy St. Claire was a slow build, a bit tentative initially as the singer/songwriter/guitarist mostly unknown to this area relaxed, gradually getting his bearings on stage. Steadily warming up to the task of introducing himself and his music, St. Claire’s performance became steady, solid even smoldering. Likewise his backup band (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards) were loose, laid back to start, but together all found footing, cohesion, forging ahead.
St. Clair is dark, moody, bluesy, and mostly mysterious; thanks to a youthful spirit as well his relatively unknown status. The 21 year old artist has a look that’s disarming even beguiling but nevertheless all rock, all the way. That’s a plus to feminine fans, while males might be suspect, at first. However, there’s a bolder, gutsy agitation there too, suggesting St. Claire possesses an unpredictable-- possibly volatile –driven energy, confirmed by his choice to cover Led Zeppelin classic ‘The Lemon Song’ with supple skill.
Song by song the audience registered approval as glimpses of a deep inner core emerged, ably assisted by St. Claire’s original music and lyrics. His age also makes his choice of bluesy classic rock territory unusual. Perhaps this newcomer is a little ‘lost in time’ or maybe an ‘old soul’-- either way is fine since the upshot is a bluesy retro throwback found leaping forward into the future. File Remy St. Claire under pleasant surprise and great expectations.
More classic rock/blues than straightforward blues, future Remy St. Claire gigs will likely also land in area rock/variety venues. Overall, look for much more wherever from Remy St. Claire – live as well as recorded with his debut album release—“The Black and White” set for early Summer 2011. For CD release details, live show dates, info, music and more, visit remystclaire.com.
- DEBBY JET JENNINGS, Rock Journalist /Columnist / Rock Era Historian
Discography
Remy St Claires Debut Self Released LP Entitled The Black and White Album
Singles
1. Here and Gone
2. Tom Foolery
3. Up The Sound
4. Too Many Left Behind
5. Nero
6. Death on the Bayou
7. Freedom Doesn't Come
Reverbnation.com and Jango.com
1. Freedom Doesn't Come
2. Too Many Left Behind
3. Nero
4. Tom Foolery
5. Death on the Bayou
All songs by Remy St Claire
Photos
Bio
"One of the up and coming stars from the Charlotte Music area" says Divakar 106.5 The End.
" His music has depth and passion, which is the best kind of music to see live. " Says Carmella Jarvi - KnightArts.org Blog
Remy St. Claire an eclectic raconteur, and troubadour who has been writing lyrics and making noise since he was 6 years old. Always singing, always tapping, and always hearing the sounds from everyday life wherever he was. He incorporates these aspects into his songs. You can hear these influences in his first EP " Black and White." He describes this first album as " its my first album so its like being born really. Coming out into the world, they always say when your born you go from the darkness to the light. It felt like that for me, so that's why I wanted to call it black and white." You can hear traces of his earliest influences, which are influences for most when they start out, like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin. The songs are honest almost to honest at times, but necessary for the cohesion of the album. Some songs even having a slight transcendence into soundscapes where we can hear the everyday influences mentioned earlier like the wind in Tom Foolery, or the night time sounds in Death On The Bayou. Sounds used to help create imagery so you feel like your riding right beside the drifter in Tom Foolery, or walking through the swamp in Death On The Bayou. But there are also songs of political hinting as well. Like the rebel rousing Freedom Doesn't Come to the subtle hints on the ballad Nero. The inspiration for this song being the Roman Emperor Nero. Who after the the burning of Rome had it rebuilt with more fireproof methods and materials. This being a metaphor for the disarray of the United States economy. That, from what I gather, the burning is related to the economic crisis, and that as we rebuild it needs to be with better methods and materials than before so that these " fires " are better prevented. I don't know about you but that makes me go back and listen to Nero again. " Behind the hills in the black mines of the coliseum, no ear to tell me a tone, The voodoo kings here but I cant seem em, nothing but a desolate Rome." Well now that's done lets move on to the future. Remy St. Claire is working on his next EP he calls " Infants." I wonder why. If you have been to any of his shows in the last couple of months he has been putting them on display playing with bands such as Paleface, I Am Love, S.O.Stereo, Kennebec, and at festivals such as Drumstrong and the NODA Summer Music Festival. He has plans to hit the road this fall with I Am Love out of PA and hopefully a Christmas or early spring release for " Infants." His other websites are: reverbnation.com/remystclaire,
facebook.com/remystclaire,
remystclaire.com
Or you can just google him :)
Thanks for your love and support of music and Art
Stymie Carrel
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