Photography by Sarah Kathryn Wainwright
photography by Sarah Kathryn Wainwright
photography by Sarah Kathryn Wainwright
JEREMY JAMES MEYER
PORTLAND, OR
NEW AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC, FOLK, COUNTRY
“Alive and OK by Jeremy James Meyer is a lesson in what country music can be. This is not the pop country of Nashville. This is real country music with stories and melodies that keep the listener engaged. Whether it’s a foot stomper or a song made for slow dancing, Meyer delivers songs that will get you moving.”
“Last year was a devastating time for fans of Americana, country, and pretty much anyone who loved a well-written song with the passing of Walker, Prine and Billy Joe Shaver all in the span of six months. It’s heartening though to know there is another generation of talented singers and songwriters eschewing current trends and fads and focusing simply on writing timeless, relatable music agnostic of specific genres. Meyer is certainly one of those acolytes to the greats, alongside peers like Todd Snider and Hayes Carll carrying that tradition into the future.”
“Incorporating so many styles on one record could run this risk of it sounding fragmented but ‘Alive & OK’ is anything but. Quite the opposite in fact, it holds together as an impressive collection of songs, each presented in a way that is completely compatible both with the individual song and the project as a whole. An impressive achievement.”
BIOGRAPHY
Alive & OK is the second full band album from Jeremy James Meyer. It was recorded live in Enterprise, Oregon at the historic OK Theater with Bart Budwig at the helm. Surrounded by some of the most audacious players in the west, Jeremy explores the universal elements of failure and regrowth using the full range of roots music styles, from folk and blues to country and rock.
Jeremy James Meyer is an artificer of song. A songwriter’s songwriter. He crafts redemptive songs full of woody rock 'n' roll tones. Alive & OK comes out swingin like saloon doors on it's opener "Brick Wall Blues". The song features cosmic cowgirl Caitlin Jemma on vocals, and lively guitar and piano contributions from a full band. Right away you can hear Jeremy's peripatetic personality finding a home among his Northwest counterparts. The song typifies Meyer's positivity despite hardship, a trait that finds him welcome wherever he lands. “Cat On A Chain” finds Jeremy turning hard luck into opportunity to explore the American west, and continues the country rock streak with wailing electric. His experiences with hard work, the road, and the expansive natural vistas of the American west become his songs. "Rhinestoned Cowboy" is perhaps the best song he's ever written about his lifestyle. Forlorn mandolin mingles with acoustic guitar and piano, and organ drone as the song trots along and Jeremy sings “Let the wind toss your hair, quit your frettin’ there child / had your fun playin’ cowboy, now come home for a while”.
His deep, penetrating voice has a wide range, and is especially captivating in his droning, lower register. Jeremy is mesmerizing on his folk songs like "Bon Voyage" a hot jazz influenced song of resilience, with stabbing piano and electric guitar prodding Jeremy’s winding verses. His duet with phantom baritone Matthew Neal Schultz on "Thought That You Could Tell" a must listen.
"Woodshop Rock" --featuring Taco Tapes cohort Ben Walden making harmonica sound like a firestorm in a reed marsh-- is a country rocker in a reverb coil, blasting lessons learned from a lifetime as a craftsman that takes its cues from hillbilly music as much as it does Dave Bartholemew and Ike & Tina Turner arrangements.
He spent the last decade drifting around, a tool belt troubadour, working carpentry by day, bringing folk music to the people at night. As with most well traveled songwriters it’s hard to tell where the road ends and Jeremy James Meyer begins. Meyer is also a prolific session musician, performing on albums for Bart Budwig, Goldish, and Andy Valentine, and playing bass in Caitlin Jemma’s live band The Goodness. On his eponymous album from 2018 one can hear the distinct influence of his then home New Orleans dancing it’s way into his songs. Horn sections and piano marched through the album like a second line. In 2020 he started the year releasing the deeply groovy EP Bobbie’s House (produced by Matt Costa) in California, and stood up the folk project Taco Tapes in Washington. As part of the not-so-traditional folk duo Taco Tapes he released the album "trad is rad" in 2020 to critical acclaim (TIDAL playlists, european press, nationwide radio airplay). All the while he had the rollicking Alive & OK under his hat.
At record label headquarters original mixes of Alive & OK made it into constant rotation because of it's affirmative nature. His voice, lyrics, and acoustic melodies tangle into great gordian knots of human complexity that he undoes with a blow of harmonica, or an upbeat chorus. His work is inspired by the weird pockets of America he’s lived in, breezed through, or entertained. On songs like "Low Gap Swagger'' Jeremy's characters are working through complex personal feelings with a good feelin' full rock band --vibrato guitar, and gentle chorus of backing vocals. Jeremy isn't afraid to fly off the grid. He channels post-Beatles Paul McCartney / early Wings on "That's OK" --relying on ferro guitar melody, and polyrhythmic drums (and glorious backing vocals from Margo Cilker) to craft an incredible song that couldn't be further from country, but couldn't be closer to the mark we need to be hitting in personal discussions in 2021.
Like our favorite songwriters (ahem, Jerry Jeff Walker) his songs seamlessly blend plain-language and poetic lyricism. They wander from personal truth to outlaw legends. He’s capable of cathartic protest songs, cosmic country canticles, and dive bar sing-a-longs.
Full Band
Full band performances allow Meyer to realize his grand compositions, which often glean elements of the geography where they were conceived. On his self-titled LP from 2018 one can hear the distinct influence of New Orleans dancing it’s way into his songs. Horn sections and piano march through the album like a second line. Jeremy’s songs seem to encompass all the jazz and country sounds American South, lending credence to his mystic lyricism.
Trio
With a trio, harmonious vocals and guitars stand out, as on his most recent EP Bobbie’s House. Produced by Matt Costa and featuring BR Lively, Bobbie’s House exemplifies his skill at crafting folk songs imbued with soul. In a trio there is room to experience the full range of Jeremy’s mesmerizing vocals, which is also a solid soundboard for string players to riff around.
Solo
Meyer’s solo show is no less impressive. His voice, lyrics, and acoustic melodies tangle into great gordian knots of human complexity that he undoes with a blow of harmonica, or an upbeat chorus. If you’re lucky he’ll tell you a story between songs. His work is inspired by the weird pockets of America he’s lived in, breezed through, or entertained.
Whenever, and however your path crosses with Jeremy James Meyer’s (and it will) prepare for an enchanting, psychedelic trip through cosmic American music.
BOOKING & PRESS CONTACT
PRESS // sean@americanstandardtime.com
BOOKING US // jeremyjamesmeyermusic@gmail.com
BOOKING ITALY // hangthedjbooking@gmail.com