LaMP

On a magical night at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT in Dec of 2018, three musical masters (Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger & Ray Paczkowski) came together with alchemical synthesis, and created a fresh so-tight-it’s-free sound, packed with technical prowess and a deep-pocket punch. The packed house fortunate enough to be in attendance that night witnessed the birth of something very special.

The following spring, the trio took the name LaMP by combining the first letters of each members’ surname, and reconvened back in VT at Sugarhouse Soundworks for an intense recording session with Roger Stauss to lay down tracks that would become their eponymous debut EP.

“We wrote everything via the internet. We figured out telecommuting and working from home before it was fashionable [laughs]. We’d usually start with Russ sending around a drumbeat he was working on, then Ray and I would put down ideas and we’d send them back and forth, editing everything as we went along. When we finally found some time to record, I drove up to Vermont, we took a day to flush everything out and rehearse, then spent two days recording.” – Scott Metzger

Metzger, known as “…an ace guitarist of a thousand styles.” (Village Voice) and a full-time member of the critically acclaimed Joe Russo’s Almost Dead tested the decades-strong synergy of Ray & Russ forged from their time playing with Trey Anastasio Band and their duo project Soule Monde. The result was seven tracks crackling with energy and soul. The melodic & harmonic interplay between Paczkowski’s swirling organ and clavinet dancing with Metzger’s acrobatic melodies on telecaster, driven by Russ “It’s all about the rudiments.” Lawton’s unflappable backbeat produced a record that will stand the test of time.

Chris Kasper is an American songwriter who is currently based in the Philadelphia area. He’s been active in the local and national scene for the last 20 years. Over that time, he has released six records and toured with acts like Amos Lee and The Wood Brothers. His music traverses the Americana, country blues, indie folk and vintage rock spectrums, blurring the lines between genres. Kasper’s evolution into a no-nonsense songwriter is heard throughout his latest album, with nods to songwriters of the 70s like Bobby Charles, Lowell George, and Neil Young.