David James Allen Releases New Album, By The Summertime
David James Allen recently released his impeccably crafted new album, By The Summertime via his own label Littleknown Records. David has considerately previewed the release with one musical gem after another with “Another Day Older,” “Blush And Hide.” As a whole, By The Summertime runs deep, showcasing David’s musical dexterity and diversity. It channels into David’s inspirations and highlights his adept and razor sharp playing and songwriting that all combine to make his music, truly special.
He releases the focus track, “The Devil And Me” alongside the album today, noting:
“This is a funky, groovy, alt-country song with strings, was keyboards, and slide guitar. It’s partly inspired by Henry Lee Lucas (the confession killer) and speaks to the themes of 15 minutes of fame, the need and addiction for attention, queer love, and societal norms or rejection of traditional norms.”
By The Summertime was recorded with William D. Crann, with sessions conducted online until it was safe to book in-person time at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton. In keeping with his desire to try something new, Allen decided to record his own parts first and then add different combinations of instruments through overdubbing. He called upon many old friends and collaborators to achieve this, and the results range from the easy-flowing opening track “Billowed,” to the swampy “The Devil And Me” and the blue-eyed soul of “Blush And Hide.”
As David gears up to play select dates to celebrate the album release, he’s prepared a one-man-band he’s calling, ‘The Growing Machine’ a one-person-band setup including foot organ bass, drum machines, loop pedals, electric guitar, and harmonica. David will also be accompanied by a string section (Jillian Saurteig and William Lamoureux) for a couple of select shows, including Toronto’s date at the end of July. David uses a combination of Vintage Korg Foot Organ pedals, Modern drum machine for a super-dead 70’s sound, and a mini-organ that pulls sounds from Hammond organs.
Listen to By the Summertime below and learn more about David James Allen via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is David James Allen and I’m a wearer of many hats!
First, I am a singer-songwriter living in Prince Edward County, Ontario. I’ve been writing songs since I was like 12 years old… I approach my music with a DIY kind of headspace and typically work within the folk, country, and r&b/soul genres… but I really pull inspiration from all sorts of musical places.
Second, I also work in graphic arts and web, operating a cozy design/recording studio and a label called Littleknown (www.littleknown.ca / www.littleknownrecords.com). This is a space I use to record, produce and mix music for myself and for other artists. I also create graphics, show posters, and websites for bands through Littleknown.
Tell us a bit about your most recent album, By The Summertime.
This is my 4th studio album under my own name, I’ve also released a full-length album with the group Stonetrotter (Back in 2015).
It was recorded between my apartment/studio and Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, Ontario during lockdown periods of the pandemic. I co-produced this album with William D. Crann (Who also engineered and mixed this album). It’s a very solid record and Im proud to say it’s probably my best to date, I worked with a lot of wonderful human beings during its creation.
It’s a free-flowing kind of collection of songs that explore themes of deep love, companionship, growing up and maturing, self-destruction, starvation for attention, mental illness, aging, open communication, and a whole bunch of other human experiences. Its got a soulful and beautiful kind of swa and lull to it with lots of string arrangements and it blends my American-roots inspirations with some of the jazz and r&b inspirations and then throws a subtle psychedelic layer on top of it.. it has a relaxed feel to it, an ebb and flow while tackling some heavier subject matter lyrically. You gotta check it out! My words aren’t gonna do it justice haha
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, every facet of life can inspire me. For this record in particular, inspiration came from being in nature, taking extended walks and hikes in McCauley Mountain, a conservation area here in my town of Picton, Ontario. I was reading a lot of Canadian poetry by the likes of Nelson Ball and Al Purdy during writing this album, and I was listening to a whole mix-match of music ranging from Shugi Otis, Al Green, Gil Scott-Heron to more modern producers like El Michels Affair and Thomas Brenneck (Menahan Street Band), Lady Wray, Kurt Vile to bluesy/rootsy stuff like Grant Green, JJ Cale, The Band into folk and bluegrass music like Tim Hardin, Townes Van Zant and Norman and Nancy Blake.
I try to keep an open mind to the arts that I take inward and inspiration really comes from all of it. For me process is king and it’s all about capturing a lyrical idea concisely and then marrying those words and the idea with melody and chords that compliment the mood and the tone of those words and then creating and crafting a unique world where those two can dance, move and come together.
Tell us about your upcoming shows and your one-person band?
I’ve just kicked off an Ontario-Quebec tour, bringing songs from the new album on the road (along with a bunch of songs from my last two albums). I’m rolling with The Growing Machine, which is my one-person band arrangement. I call it the Growing Machine because it’s constantly evolving and changing anytime I get a new tech-toy and feel compelled to inject a different sonic feel into it. Right now it’s composed of a Drum Machine in which I’m sampling some super dead 70s-style drums and a Yamaha mini-organ that I control with vintage Korg foot organ pedals. I use this as a bass guitar/organ to fill out the rhythm section. I’ve got a looping pedal that I use minimally throughout the set, and then my electric guitar, banjo, and dual-harmonica setup. Put it all together and it sounds like a pretty groovy trio band!
For Toronto show at The Cameron House (July 28th), The Growing Machine and I will be joined by Jillian Sauerteig and William Lamoureux who will be complimenting the set with Cello and Violin! Jillian is incredible, she did the string arrangements for this album (and my last album The Architect)
Each show is unique in that it’s either me and the machines or a special guest, including performances by Geordie Gordon, Joseph Gallo Jr, Neil Quin (of the band Zeus), and Courtney Dubois to name a few.
What’s your goal for 2023?
2023… I plan on trying to get as many ears as I can on this new album of mine!!!!
I’m also a new father, I’ve got a 1-year-old daughter at home so in between touring and workin’ this album I intend on fully enjoying being home with my partner and the little one!!
I’m cooking up new music at the studio and recording/producing/releasing a new album for another group called Kojak (due out in the Fall on the label), got some mixing projects and web projects in the hopper. I’m always tinkering at the studio with new gear and sonic pathways!
I’ve started demoing and sorting out some ideas for a new album of my own too! I’ve got the vision coming together pretty clearly now but I’m in no rush. I’m gonna let By The Summertime breathe a bit and ensure I’m taking in some fresh air myself!
I’m taking 2023 one day at a time! How about you?
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