TJ Burrows
Sounds like the look of a skate video from the 90s, bathed in a stylish soulfulness that you’ll only find in the United States: some sort of Experimental Americana culled from the everyday (and Wilson is hitting threes from afar, leaned back). — TJ Burrows, Tiny Montgomery Records
Favorite track: Grandma Jo.
This debut album under my alias, SHWILSON, is the result of 15 months of collaborative work between myself and my talented friends. I was initially introduced to the Casiotone MT-100 keyboard by Claude Rosen, Anthony Lamarca and our old Webster Ave. family. Something about its 8-bit sounds and drum grooves reminded me of vintage horror movies and video games I grew up loving, and for some reason it was much easier for me to compose on than piano or saxophone.
It was challenging to break away from the "jazz" and saxophone world I've know for so long, but I purchased my own Casio on ebay for 40 bucks and began expanding my meager home recording setup with a few effects pedals and recording gear and started tracking, usually a few Budweisers deep. Much of this was done with Curtis "CMac" Macdonald under his sonic tutelage, recording one part at a time, always tweaking things and discovering happy accidents.
I had a blast making this album and hope you get some sense of hilarity and feel-good vibes from it!
Huge thanks to bossman Curtis Macdonald for his musical and technical gangsterism, time and patience. None of this would have been possible without him. Thanks to Tobia for putting up with our drunken late night sessions and supporting the project every step of the way. And big thanks to all the musicians on the record for eternally crushing it! Zach, Hayden, Corey, Travis, Claude, Peter and Alon; you guys really make this music come alive and give it the vibe it has.
Also thanks to Mom, Dad, the rest of my loving family, Ross, Danny, Ari, Big Butter and the Egg Men, Louise, Olive, Hundoozle, Philpott, Kev, JRat, Bob Price, Tom and Levon and the Tiny Montgomery crew, all my New School homies, Chris Hoffman, Alex Overington, Chris Berry, Marina Oriente and all my other friends that make this planet a better place.
New Fishkill Records releases coming soon!
For Grandma Jo
- Kyle
credits
released September 8, 2015
Kyle Wilson - keyboards (all except 5), tenor sax (5), mbira (6)
Zach Lane - electric & acoustic bass (1, 3, 5)
Hayden Hawkins - drums (1, 2, 3, 5)
Corey King - vocals (2)
Travis Reuter - guitar (2)
Claude Rosen - keyboards (5)
Peter Schlamb - keyboards (3)
Alon Tayar - keyboards (4)
Produced by Curtis Macdonald & Kyle Wilson
Mixed by Curtis Macdonald
Mastered by Chris Hoffman
SHWILSON is the electro-psych alias of Kyle Wilson. He explores the versatility of Casio keyboards and synths inspired by the sounds of vintage horror movies and video games to create tasty nostalgia soundscapes and promote posi vibes.
Probably my favorite jazz pianist in the game right now. I became obsessed with Sam’s playing through his work with Ambrose Akinmusire, especially on Rift in Decorum, their live record from The Village Vanguard. I’ve been listening to Sam’s other solo album, Interludes, on repeat and it’s a gem. Thankful to finally find HARMONY on Bandcamp and to dive in. The compositions are beautiful, soulful, and idiosyncratic. My hat’s off. Jonathan Reid