Greg Roensch - What’s In The Meaning Of That Cloud In The Sky
San Francisco indie singer-songwriter Greg Roensch recently dropped a new album, entitled What’s In The Meaning Of That Cloud In The Sky.
Greg Roensch | Photo: Henrik Kam
Describing his music, Roensch says, “I often write quirky songs. Sometimes I find myself writing commentaries on modern life and the world as I see it. Some of my songs are dead serious about subjects like war and gun violence. Some are strangely funny and tinged with dark humor. And many come with a twist at the end like a good short story. One of my favorite things as a songwriter is spinning gold from the absurd. I love it when a listener asks, ‘How’d you ever come up with that?’ Like a grasshopper in a love song. Or a reminder to pack your hand grenade.”
A professional and creative writer, Roensch played around with home recording for years. Yet he never entertained the idea of recording in a professional studio. Then he came across a Kickstarter campaign to finish constructing a studio in Oakland, called Tiny Telephone Recording Studio, owned by producer John Vanderslice. Roensch contributed to the campaign. In return, he got studio time.
Roensch says, “That’s when the lightbulb went on – when it dawned on me that I could record my songs with a master producer, in a professional studio, with awesome musicians.”
So Roensch recorded and released his debut album, Spiral Notebook Project, which turned out to be a cusp of transition that changed his life. He followed by returning to Tiny Telephone to lay down tracks for What’s In The Meaning of That Cloud in the Sky.
“Nobody But You,” a tantalizingly soft tune, is reminiscent of Bob Dylan, elusively familiar yet wonderfully original.
The album features: Greg Roensch (acoustic guitar, vocals), Carly Bond (guitar, vocals), James Riotto (bass, synthesizers), Robert Shelton (keyboards, synthesizers), and Jason Slota (drums, percussion), along with Crystal Pascucci (cello), and Andrew Dixon (saxophone).
Encompassing 13-tracks, entry points include “Come On Over,” a cool, bluesy tune with tasty jazz flavors riding a sensuously undulating rhythm, as Roensch’s mellow tones glide overhead. “Don’t Forget to Pack Your Hand Grenade” was inspired by a sign in an airport in Europe – “No Hand Grenades” – and features a smooth jazz-laced melody, topped by half-spoken half-sung lyrics.
A personal favorite, “Tell It Like Is” travels on a cashmere flow of sonic textures tinctured with delicious hints of blues savors, as gorgeous vocal harmonies stream gently above, adding radiant suffusions of tonal coloration.
“Nobody But You,” a tantalizingly soft tune, is reminiscent of Bob Dylan, elusively familiar yet wonderfully original. Bond’s delicate voice infuses the tune with crystalline accents.
With What’s In The Meaning Of That Cloud In The Sky, Greg Roensch delivers innovative, contagious music full of charming insights.
Download/stream What's In The Meaning Of That Cloud In The Sky.
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