This week’s podcast features Garrett Pierce, a singer-songwriter whose new album, All Masks, comes out today on Crossbill Records. The album is Pierce’s third solo work and it has quickly become one of our favorite records of ’09 so far. Garrett’s voice and lyrics remain central to every song, but his music also reflects the talented community of artists with whom he is connected. To that end, the new record features wonderful contributions from a variety of talented local artists, including some great strings by Jen Grady and Carey Lamprecht (of Emily Jane White’s band).

Drawing from both classical myths and personal experiences, Pierce’s lyrics tackle some dark subjects, even if they’re delivered through engaging and often upbeat melodies. Both the dark and the upbeat shine in these recordings, which retain much of the intimacy and ambience of their recording location, a friend’s barn in the town of Columbia, CA in the Sierra Foothills. Transforming the barn into a recording studio was a group effort, but it paid off big in the finished product. For all of the collaboration involved in each of his records, however, the strongest impression All Masks leaves with the listener is that Garrett’s talents as a performer and a songwriter are undeniable.

We sat down with Garrett Pierce in our studio a few weeks back to discuss the long journey to the release of All Masks. We’ve also got four songs from the new album in the episode.

Upcoming Shows:

Garrett is touring California this month, so check his MySpace page for all of the dates.

Sunday, May 3rd
Cafe Du Nord
with Agent Ribbons and Window Twins (All Masks CD Release Party!)
8pm, $10 (Purchase tickets here!)

Links:

– Visit Garrett Pierce’s MySpace page to hear more.

– Purchase All Masks and Garrett’s previous album Like a Moth from Crossbill Records and on iTunes.

– Check out the video for “And the Ghosts Boarded Trains”