Tony Lucca 'Canyon Songs' album

Many artists have taken to the stage and studio with nothing more than a guitar and a handful of heartfelt songs. Fewer have managed to do so without being pigeonholed, or worse, lost in the shuffle of a seemingly endless parade of so-called singer/songwriters. Tony Lucca has not only managed to stand out as an original artist in defiance of genre classification, he's done it diligently for over ten years, constantly honing his craft and cultivating an extremely enthusiastic following every step of the way.

"I think that when what you aspire to do is of a timeless, classic nature, it will inevitably outlast the trends and the uncertainty of whatever business you're in,” Lucca says. “People will always want to hear good songs."

And with that said we are drawn into the world of Tony Lucca. A place where he can weave words together, painting pictures and emotions that bewitch longtime fans and resonate with discerning critics, as well. With his digital-only EP “Through the Cracks” (out now) and his forthcoming full-length, “Canyon Songs,” Lucca demonstrates that it’s his experiences that continue to steer things creatively. “A lot of the songs are songs of longing and yearning, for both love and a sense of accomplishment as an artist and the bittersweetness of having the freedom to find both, or either, eventually,” he comments.

A veteran of the star-churning Mickey Mouse Club, Tony grew up in Waterford, Michigan surrounded by a large musical family. At the age of 3 he began singing and playing guitar and by the time he was 12 he had begun writing and playing in various local Detroit area bands. Growing up on a diet of family gatherings that turned into extended jam sessions Lucca's path was set. Following his stint on the MMC he moved to LA where he appeared in numerous independent movies and the short-lived series, Malibu Shores. But remaining true to his personal vision, Tony returned to music, shunning the 90s pop scene and searching for deeper more personal sound with an honesty not often found today.

In 1997, Lucca took to the internet with his independent debut, "So Satisfied". Having sold 2000 copies within a year, he then followed that up with the 1999 release, "Strong Words, Softly Spoken". With only the internet and constant touring, Lucca went on to sell a total of 10,000 records in just a few short years. After garnering the 2001 LA Music Award for best male singer/songwriter, Tony Lucca had created quite a buzz with industry insiders and managed to take to the road opening for recording mega stars like *NSync and Marc Anthony, sharing the stage with a diverse array of artists such as Macy Gray, Johnny Lang, and the late, great Chris Whitley.

After several years of indy perseverance, Lucca released his first commercially distributed album in 2004. "Shotgun", the consummate road trip record, takes the listener for a ride. "I've done so much traveling myself, always sifting through the same old CD collection. I just figured I'd try to make the kind of record I would want to listen to when I'm driving."

In 2005, Lucca released "Anatomy of a Blackbird," a live concert dvd with a close-up, behind the scenes look at life on the road during his 2004 California tour. The documentary and 12 song set give an honest glimpse into the world of an artist hard at work and enjoying every minute of it.

His success on his own brought him to the attention of Rock Ridge Music, with whom he recently signed, giving his already-completed album a home for release, as well as a label where he could hang his hat and share the work on getting his music to the masses. “Canyon Songs,” which will be released later this summer, was completed earlier this year. Says Lucca: “All of the songs on the record were either written and or recorded in the Hollywood Hills, specifically Laurel and Beachwood Canyons. A lot of my favorite artists, as well as most of my favorite records, were inspired by those magical locations. There really is something other-worldly about it. As we got further along in the making of the record, I felt like we had managed to capture a bit of that timelessness for ourselves.”

“Canyon Songs” was recorded partially (drums and bass on several tracks) at Josh Kelley’s house in Beachwood Canyon; most of the record -- including overdubs, vocals, guitars, and the rest of the bass -- was recorded at Mike Vizcarra’s studio in Laurel Canyon. The song “Sarah Jane” was recorded and mixed in New York by Lucca’s friend Tim Hatfield. “Having spent a year and a half living in Brooklyn, I wanted to include some kind of memento from that experience,” Lucca says.

Out of 10 stellar tracks on the album, Lucca calls “Songbird” his favorite. “That’s a song I’ve held onto for a long time and yet was somehow able to make it sound the way I had always imagined it would,” he says. “I think that song best represents my ability as a songwriter.” As a performer who likes to call himself “the love child of James Taylor and Sade,” Lucca has gotten a lot of different comparisons to his sound over time – everything from Sting to Harry Connick Jr. to Stevie Wonder have made the list. His influences, on the other hand, range from Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen to Joni Mitchell and draw from Crosby, Stills and Nash, as well as Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.

While his album captures the magical timelessness of those California canyons, Lucca’s live shows are a truly rewarding experience for those lucky enough to see them. Lucca calls them “an offering, a chance to give thanks for being given the opportunity to experience and convey all of these emotions, the same emotions that I imagine keep everybody guessing and wondering. I want to say there’s something spiritual about it, something very personal but universal at the same time.”

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Tracklisting

Tony Lucca - Canyon Songs