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songs for unknown superstars

andrew jackson | songs for unknown superstars

"Exciting, inventive music that is engaging to the heart, mind, and the hips!"

"A true classic."

This enjoyably eclectic set of songs from Zru Vogue founder Andrew Jackson offers a delectable selection of 11 surrealist/postpunk/pop songs.

Written and recorded January through April, 2007. All songs words and music by Andrew L. Jackson. Arranged, performed, and recorded by Andrew Jackson and Rick Cuevas. Mastered to CD by Rick Cuevas. Produced by Andrew Jackson and Rick Cuevas. All songs ©2007 Andrew L. Jackson. Sound recording ©2007 Andrew Jackson and Rick Cuevas.

Andrew Jackson sang lead and backing vocals and played electric guitars, e-bow guitars, 6-string and 12-string acoustic guitars, keyboards and synthesizers, drums, Brasil gourd shaker, recorder, and melodica. Rick Cuevas sang backing vocals on “Coffee With The Queen,” programmed faux female backing vocals on “From A to B and Back Again,” played electric 12-string guitar on “Someone Else’s Name,” and played drums, percussion, keyboards, and bass guitar on several songs.

artist's statement

clouds Altogether, there’s more of an electronic/rock sound to Songs For Unknown Superstars than my last solo CD, the quieter and more introspective Memories of Things That Never Happened, though this CD does have its gentler moments. Listen to "Unknown Superstar" for the compelling first-person tale of a faded star cooped up in his room forgotten by a world that used to adore him, and hear how "Stories She Holds" unfolds as it floats through on 808 drum beats, 12-string guitar arpeggios, and a lilting "ha ha ha" chorus.

I did a lot of composing in Logic on my MacBook Pro laptop when I was writing songs for this album. It was gratifying and allowed for capturing spontaneity in more locales: riding on the train, in hotel rooms, etc. Guitar variety adds color to the mix: electric and acoustic 12-strings and a few different Strats, forward/reverse/e-bowed/phase-shifted/and otherwise manipulated for just the right sound. A variety of software synthesizers in addition to “real” keyboard add texture to the retro-electronic sound palette.

Acoustic instruments like Melodica, Blockflöte, and gourd shakers help to stir the psychedelic pot on the songs “Mike, I Want To Tell You” (an ode to a web designer friend), “Unknown Superstar,” and the electro-funk “E.R.I.K.A.,” while 12-string electric solos by Zru Vogue guitarist Rick Cuevas lend an R.E.M. aura to “Someone Else’s Name.”

“From A to B and Back Again” draws inspiration equally from post-punk electro, Andy Warhol, and the hip-hop production of Dr. Dre, “Resigned To Your Fate” is an angry/resigned/inspired rock song with Joy Division aspirations, “Sweet Thing” is a heartfelt sort-of-love-song marrying R&B beats, reverse guitar, retro suitcase piano, and Bowie-esque vocals, “Tendrils” wears its Eno pedigree and surrealist imagery with pride, “Memory Blank” is deconstructed postmodern electro-rock soaked in existentialist angst, and “Mike, I Want To Tell You” recalls Lou Reed’s song-styling at its best. “Coffee With The Queen” stands at the center of the album as a mini-masterpiece of psychedelic rock.

Like a box of fine chocolates, “Songs For Unknown Superstars” offers variety and plenty of surprises in its menu of Sweet Things, Coffee, tea, and Tendrils. Enjoy alone or with others.

songs for unknown superstars:

Mike I Want To Tell You, From A to B and Back Again, Resigned To Your Fate, Sweet Thing, E.R.I.K.A., Coffee With The Queen, Someone Else’s Name, Tendrils, Memory Blank, Unknown Superstar, Stories She Holds.