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self-released
Released: 01/02/07 |
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The Western States Motel
Written, performed and recorded by Monterey, CA native and Los Angeles resident Carl Jordan, The Western States Motel's intricately woven songs recall Ektachrome summers and dusty Datsuns traversing the suburban plains of California. Much of the material was written during a year or so that Carl spent bouncing around San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Jobless and with no permanent residence, Carl would spend his days, pen and paper in hand, staring out at the Pacific Ocean, writing lyrics about life in the only state he has ever lived in. Finally landing back in Los Angeles, Carl finished writing and began recording the album, in a spare bedroom littered with various beat-up guitars, keyboards and percussion instruments. A favorite guitar for the sessions was a 15-dollar nylon string acoustic bought at Ikea. Another was a no-name electric guitar Carl found at an LA garage sale for 10 bucks.
The recording process, as with many artists who record at home, was a slow one. With no deadlines or label expectations at that point, the recordings evolved gradually over time, built piece by piece, layer by layer. Though he had been a film major in college, the recording classes Carl had taken while at UC Santa Cruz proved especially useful.
Songs like "Powerlines" and "The New E Blues" came together during this time; songs about leaving one life behind for another, the good and the bad that comes with that, the people you miss and the people you meet. This is sunshine pop, no doubt, but it looks inwards as well. For any person who's ever been anywhere, or that's heading some place, The Western States Motel is your soundtrack. Even if you're just standing still, they might just set you on your way.
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