[pullquote quote="I have recorded this style of music in the digital realm, and it just doesn't quite 'sing' as much. Slamming that tape really hard produced the most beautiful distortion I've ever heard."]Named by NPR as an “artist you should know” for 2011, JD McPherson made his Rounder Records debut on April 17th with the release of Signs and Signifiers. JD McPherson lays it all out in his hit single “North Side Gal,” but there’s much more to the story of the blues rocker hailing from Broken arrow, Oklahoma. For example, the video to “North Side Gal” was directed by McPherson himself and shot in Hi-Style studio, which is housed in the attic of producer and bassist Jimmy Sutton’s home here in Chicago. The video features the collection of vintage microphones and an old 1960′s Berlant ¼ inch tape machine used to record the 100% analog album. Says McPherson of the technique: “I have recorded this style of music in the digital realm, and it just doesn’t quite ‘sing’ as much. Slamming that ¼” tape really hard produced the most beautiful distortion I’ve ever heard.”
[pullquote quote="There's a history to the song that will surprise you."]The former art teacher’s homemade video has over 350,000 YouTube views, and JD and the band will hit the road to perform the album live this spring with stops in Austin, New York, Boston, Chicago, and other cities. JD McPherson’s “North Side Gal” has the type of beat that you find yourself tapping your feet to, if not all out dancing. But there’s a history to the song that will surprise you. Check out JD describing what the song was originally meant for here:
You can also download this catchy beat (and the music video!) for free from his website.
JD McPherson Performs “North Side Gal” Live From XRT’s Opening Day Broadcast [Watch]
Audio: JD McPherson & Jimmy Sutton On XRT’s Local Anesthetic 1/30/11
Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com
