Tony Piscotti

Occasionally my days can be so bland that when I rip open a CD using my trusty CD opening device (they’re essential damn it!) and nail the stupid sticker thing on top in one go I feel a sense of pride. So it was with that sort of perhaps misguided glee that I inserted “Soapbox Parade”. Joyfully written Americana greeted my ears as I traversed through an album that seems more of a dictionary of a road trip through the United States than a folk rocker. Certainly a nod to his brethren i n the Pacific Northwest, Tony Piscotti lavishly arranges his record with the sort of perfectionism that is often left to the masters of the recording industry. And righteously so, after all how could you write lyrics this good only to have a sub par background of music behind the words?

http://www.smother.net/reviews/modernrock.php3?ID=613
- Smother.net (J-Sin / Editor)

As so-called mainstream music gets narrower in scope, I find that it gets more difficult to unearth music that is innovative *and* radio-friendly. Imagine my delight, then, when I heard Tony Piscotti's Soapbox Parade. Go ahead: imagine my delight. Make haste and listen to track 9's Chronoligical Disorder and you'll hear exactly what I mean. That's one damn catchy tune--so it the rest of the record--but more importantly, Piscotti really knows how to write smart (and sometimes breathtaking) songs. The production is just edgy enough to showcase the music without overdoing it, which is another plus in my book. Soapbox Parade is a mighty piece of work, and I look forward to the next effort. We need more craftsmen like Piscotti in this world. - Lexi Bloor / Chicago Singer-Sonwriter

Soapbox Parade is not only a really well produced album (and it is. really.), but the content is more than deserving of praise alone. Lyrically, it's poetry (all songs share this quality). Musically, it's electric guitar infused for a bite to its stanzas ("Genius" gets a fun rock and roll lickin' while "Letters to Matthew" gets a David Lynch feeling underscore. Brilliance). Far from sappy, too cool for bitter, this singer/songwriter sentimentality holds the music up as a rockin good megaphone to blast these heartfelt lyrics and smooth voice through. Buy this CD! - Corrbette - purchased and reviewed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Tony Piscotti
748 W. Irving Park Rd. #3
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: (773) 301-3404
Email: tony@tonypiscotti.com
Web site: http://www.tonypiscotti.com

SOULFUL AND ECLECTIC AMERICANA WITH INFECTIOUS GROOVES

July 16, 2004 (West Chesterfield, NH) -- Tony Piscotti, an independent songwriter, guitarist and singer has released his much-anticipated debut CD “Soapbox Parade". The album contains 13 tracks of Soulful and Eclectic Americana built on Tony's evocative poetry, lithe acoustic guitar picking and undeniably infectious grooves. His voice recalls the melodious qualities of 60's and 70's folkies while his songwriting is kin to moderns like Neil Finn, Willy Porter, John Mayer and Duncan Sheik.

Tony's first notoriety came as half the nucleus of the much-acclaimed indie band Rain Merchants (featuring film/television star Hedy Burress and Leftover Salmon bassist Greg Garrison) while attending college on the plains of Central Illinois in the early 1990s. Splitting his time between his sideman duties and performing in various acoustic duo combinations allowed Tony to pen a set of intimate, catchy and confident songs that are available on "Soapbox Parade".

"I don't necessarily feel that I choose to be an artist the way one chooses a profession," Tony comments. "My propensity for the aesthetic has always been an innate quality of mine for as long as I remember. I think this is the seed of anyone who is born an artist. It isn't really something one chooses – rather it is something that is eventually realized."

Tony wants to play up the idea of developing himself as both artist and business savvy person who is more interested in writing and recording well-crafted honest music, developing a strong live show, and creating a respectable following than gaining a degree of fame that is spoon-fed to the public by corporate record labels and radio stations. Brian Bavido, the live sound engineer for Lisa Loeb, Art Garfunkel and currently Dashboard Confessional says: "It’s not often you get to work with an artist who not only has great songs, can sing on pitch, and has great guitar tones, but also has the work day all planned out and shows up on time! Tony is an extremely hard-working independent artist."

"Soapbox Parade" showcases Tony's unique ability to readily combine such diverse instrumentation as strings, accordion and mandolin along with clever folk and rock arrangements in a way that speaks directly to the listener's soul. The album is available through TonyPiscotti.com

For more information, please contact Tony Piscotti at (773) 301-3404, tony@tonypiscotti.com
- :: Soapbox Parade CD Press Release (BeatWire) ::

It always seems like when you finally get to work with a great singer/songwriter, they just don’t have their sh*t together and the project always falls apart, or they just don’t book shows. This is the complete opposite with Tony Piscotti.  Working with Tony in the studio or  on the stage is always a treat. It’s not often you get to work with an artist who not only has great songs, can sing on pitch, and has great guitar tones, but also has the work day all planned out and shows up on time! - Recording/Sound Engineer for Lisa Loeb, Dashboard Confessional, Art Garfunkel, and many more!

As a person who has to deal with all the minor elements of this business, it's a real treat for me to be able to work with someone that has the whole package. I had the pleasure of doing a project with Tony Piscotti recently. Tony came prepared and on time with everything, and  the gear he needed to do a show. When we told Tony it was his time for setup and sound check it went like clockwork and no questions asked. It was a real pleasure to work with such a rofessional. To top it all off Tony put on a great show and the crowd loved him. - Production Manager/Lighting Designer for Art Garfunkel & many more!

"I love the arrangements on this record -- this is a very well done CD! The writing on it is very thoughtful, without getting wordy or straying too far from a conventional pop/rock format. 'Radiator Song' sounds to me like a nice Eagles vibe, but lyrically, you get a little less universal, more personal - which I think makes it cool. I like how you start the record off with the guitar line from track 8, 'Midwestern Hymn no. 1.' It helps give the record a sense of coherence – little moments like that are nice touches that can be pretty revealing. The violins, organs, accordions, and mandolins give it a cool, traditional vibe which, at times, reminds me of Freedy Johnston or Bruce Hornsby and I think your lyrics lend themselves to that sound. I like how you let the players do their thing -- like on 'Chronological Disorder.' It keeps the songs from sounding too much like a typical singer-songwriter, which is something that a lot of solo artists miss. 'Letter to Matthew' is great! The guitar line has that cool Toad the Wet Sprocket drone. 'Carousel' is probably my favorite track, though. The guitar softly underscores your vocal and lyrics. It’s a good one to end on." - Dashboard Confessional guitarist

I can't get enough of this CD! I shamelessly play this bad boy over and over. To me it's like a favorite novel you reread again and again. Piscotti has a great talent for poetic lyrics and really knows how to write melody lines that make the lyrics come alive. I love the blend of musical styles, the influence of folk, jazz and even bluegrass. Broken Glass will always be a favorite, but I love the newer songs such as Genius and Chronological Disorder. Best thing I can say is that this music is genuine. Reminds me alot of Jonatha Brooke...never trying to be edgy for the sake of being trendy, there's nothing forced. It's just great to listen to! - Carrie - purchased and reviewed Soapbox Parade