Eric Krasno Is A Busy Man of Music

 
 

via Hollywood Soapbox

Keeping up with Eric Krasno, the co-founder of Lettuce and Soulive, can be a difficult endeavor. The musician has shredded the guitar with his two bands for years, and he’s still basking in the glow of his latest solo effort, Blood From a Stone. Never a man to rest on his laurels, Krasno is now gearing up for a busy summer.

The Grammy-winning guitarist recently released “Recovery,” a new single with Gramatik. He’s also in the middle of Soulive’s annual residency at the Brooklyn Bowl (appropriately dubbed Bowlive), and there’s a concept album in the works as well.

Krasno’s list of collaborators over the years is impressive. From the Rolling Stones to The Roots to Norah Jones and Aaron Neville, musicians obviously love whatever Krasno is putting out. One only has to look at the guest artists for this week’s Bowlive shows to know the level of Krasno’s musical friendships. On Thursday, June 15, John Scofield will sit in with the band. On Friday, June 16, New Orleans legendary bassist George Porter Jr. will join Soulive.

All in a day’s work for Krasno and company.

“We’ve worked together a bunch over the last few years, and [Gramatik and I] released a song called ‘Torture’ a few years ago,” Krasno said in a recent phone interview. “Every once in a while he checks in with me. He comes around my studio, and I play him a bunch of music. It was kind of the same process this time. I played him some stuff I’m working on. I have a concept album in the works, and one of the songs was called ‘Recovery.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, man, I would love to make a version of this song with you.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, cool.’”

Krasno supplied Gramatik with files featuring vocals and guitar work, and then Gramatik developed an original version of the tune.

“I loved it, and this was like only a couple months ago,” he said. “[Gramatik] decided to release it right away, and I was game. Also we have a few other songs in the works that we had worked on maybe six months ago or so, so we were getting together to try and piece together an EP. It was funny because that song, ‘Recovery,’ he just grabbed it right there and within a few days had this version. He was like, ‘Man, we’ve got to put this out.’ I was like, ‘Go for it. Let’s do it.’ Hopefully this jumpstarts the rest of the project.”

“Recovery” will also be featured on Krasno’s upcoming concept album, albeit a completely different version. “It’ll sound really different,” he said. “It’ll have the same chorus and the same words but kind of a different approach to it.”

This type of collaboration, either working live or in the recording studio, is what makes music interesting to Krasno. He loves teaming up with other writers, singers and instrumentalists. “I love to learn from all of them, and kind of absorb a little bit of what they do and try to take a little bit of that with me,” he said. “That’s been huge for me. I’ve learned so much from the people that I’ve been able to work with.”

As these new chapters open up in Krasno’s professional life, he’s also still enjoying the lingering effects of his last big project, Blood From a Stone. That solo effort tested him, for sure. He needed write those songs and build a band to present them in the studio and on tour. This many months after its release, Krasno can say he’s happy with the results.

“We had great shows, great response,” he said. “We still have a lot of festivals this summer and a few dates in the fall, but, yeah, I’m really happy with it. And the response from it has been great. It’s really prepared me for this next album that I’m working on now. The whole making of the last record was awesome, but it was a little all over the place because I was trying to find my voice literally and trying all these different things. … This concept album I’m working on, I kind of have … a concise vision. It’s really exciting, and now I’m really ready to jump into finishing it and then probably get back out there and tour again with the new material.”

Balancing all of these professional projects can be a difficult, but welcome, obstacle. The Soulive band members have largely been finishing up different projects, but they are able to get together and gig around once in a while.

For Lettuce, Krasno comes and goes from the band he co-founded. “Those guys are really cool about me jumping in at certain times and then other times doing my other stuff, so I work with great people who kind of understand the idea of doing a lot of different things,” he said. “With Soulive, in particular, we all branch off and do other things. When we get back together, we’re kind of really excited to play again. We’re also kind of bringing these different influences from the other projects we’re working on and stuff.”

Those influences include the likes of Scofield and Porter, and Krasno is simply amazed he’s able to share a stage with these guest artists. “John Scofield is definitely one of my heroes, so anytime I play with him, I try to absorb as much as I can,” Krasno said. “Absolutely I learn from them. That’s one of the elements of Bowlive that I love is learning from the guests and getting to work with my heroes. It’s huge.”

Gramatik & Eric Krasno Release New Single 'Recovery'

Out Today, June 2nd, Via Gramatik's Lowtemp

STREAM & SHARE HERE | DOWNLOAD HERE

"It's got a vintage swing, sure, but the bass kicks are too future. Vocalist and guitarist Eric Krasno sings soulful inspiration to anyone who's struggling to get their mind, body, or heart back on the right track." - BILLBOARD

 
 

Eric Krasno is having some kind of year. The Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, guitarist, vocalist and label-head, celebrated for his work as a founding member of Soulive and Lettuce, has been playing sold out shows and major festivals across the U.S. in support of his acclaimed solo album, Blood From A Stone. The collection was released via his label, Feel Music, which has also delivered albums by The London Souls and Nigel Hall. Meanwhile, as a producer, his work with Aaron Neville, Lawrence, The Motet and others has only further established his reputation as one of the music world's most prolific, multi-dimensional artists.

With an epic 2016 behind him, Gramatik is in the midst of the next chapter, and 2017 is already just as wild. Last year he impressed fans and critics alike with the new album, Epigram and its subsequent remix EP featuring a number of Gramatik's favorite producers. To kick off 2017, Gramatik released a new collaboration with GRiZ, titled, "As We Proceed," that has clocked in over one million plays on Soundcloud since its January release.

 
 

Keeping the momentum going for both artists, Gramatik is now releasing another single entitled "Recovery," this time with with close friend and collaborator, vocalist/guitarist Eric Krasno. Out today via Gramatik's label Lowtemp, "Recovery" came into existence after a leg injury Gramatik sustained that required a break from his intense touring schedule. The time off the road allowed Gramatik to return his focus on writing, testing new ideas, and producing a host of new music. For "Recovery," the release has a more traditional arrangement than what we are generally used to in electronic dance music, so Gramatik made sure the tone of this one is set right from the get go. The track opens with a blissful, 50s' musical instrumentation, and then jumps right into the first verse with no long build-ups. Krasno was responsible for the straight-to-the-point lyrics that don't hide behind unnecessary metaphors, and he also provided the vocals, as well as, his signature guitar playing.

As for how the track came to be, Gramatik simply states "Kraz and I are in 'Recovery' from 'Torture'"—a reference to the pair's first collaboration together. According to Krasno, "Recovery" began as a part of his larger concept album until Gramatik got an ear on it: "'Recovery'" is a track I initially wrote as part of a concept album I've been working on (coming early 2018). Gramatik heard it and instantly wanted to work on it. He had been through an intense leg injury and really related to the hook of the song. He then flipped it on its head in the best way possible. I love working with him; his tracks always feel and sound amazing. We have also have a few more tracks in the works."

As for what's next, it's yet to be known what will become of the many tracks Gramatik created during his time off the road, but stay tuned as those hard-drives are sure to come to light. You can also catch Gramatik live around the world from Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheater to Paris' Zenith through fall 2017. Find all Gramatik tour dates here. For Krasno, he'll be touring with his band and gearing up for a Soulive residency (Bowlive) at Brooklyn Bowl in June. More info on Krasno's tour dates here.  

Gramatik & Eric Krasno Funk Up The Road to 'Recovery': Exclusive

 
 

via Billboard

“After Torture comes Recovery,” so reads the message from Gramatik that comes with his latest single. The genre-blending producer recently messed up his leg real bad, and while he was stuck healing, he took the opportunity to get serious work done in the studio.

Following “As We Proceed,” “Recovery” is something different for the heads. It opens with orchestral strings and piano in the style of a '50s musical, but ain't nothing dated about the groove that follows. It's got a vintage swing, sure, but the bass kicks are too future. Vocalist Eric Krasno sings soulful inspiration to anyone who's struggling to get their mind, body, or heart back on the right track.

“Recovery” is a real cool, laid-back tune for your lazy summer afternoons. It foreshadows some kind of larger release. Whether it's an EP or full-length album remains to be seen. “Recovery” is out everyone Friday, June 2, on Lowtemp Records, but you can listen to it below, exclusively on Billboard Dance. 

Relix Video Premiere: Eric Krasno Band “Love is Strong”

 
 

Earlier this year, the Eric Krasno Band contributed a track to a special Amazon Music playlist. Amazon assembled two new playlists original music for Valentine’s season--one for lovers (Love Me) and one for haters (Love Me Not). Krasno and company offered “'Love Is Strong” to the former playlist, which streamed exclusively on Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music. Today we premiere the official video for “Love Is Strong,” which Krasno explains, “was written with Dave Gutter during the Blood From A Stone album recording sessions. Once we started touring with Eric Krasno Band, I dug it up because I thought [backing vocalist] Mary Corso would really own it. And she hit it out of the park! It's now a staple in our live set.”

The Eric Krasno Band will be on tour over the months to come including stops at the Summer Camp, Strange Creek, Peach and Lockn’ festivals.