Choo Choo La Rouge

Where do I begin? At the beginning, I guess.

I met the men of Choo Choo La Rouge in December or 2002. We were on the same bill at a basement Boston venue called The Lizard Lounge. They thought that I was going on first and I thought the same of them. That was our first and only conflict. We exchanged cds (both of our firsts) and made a plan to keep in touch. I didn’t really think much of it until about 2 weeks later when I actually played the cd. Holy shit. The lyrics! The drums! The insanely creative bass lines. I was hooked and instantly became CCLR fan numero uno. Over the next 4 years or so, we traded shows in Boston and New York. Probably around 30 or 40? A lot, in any case and I sang their praises to anyone who would listen.

Most importantly, we became real friends. Like the kind that can only be made while playing your heart out to an audience of five. Not only are they three of my best friends, they are also one of the bands I look to most for inspiration in my own music and in my life. In 2005, when Matador Records called, I borrowed Choo Choo’s drummer, Jon Langmead to join me down at SXSW to play for them. He’s been playing drums with me ever since.

And now, I find myself in the very fortunate position of releasing Choo Choo La Rouge’s 2nd full length album on Kiam.  Recorded in their own studio over the course of  3 years – and while living in 3 separate cities — the record is a classic.  It’s called Black Clouds and it will be released on August 18, 2009.

Please enjoy the song, “It’s Gonna Happen Fast” from Black Clouds.  Download it, share it, spread the word!

It’s Gonna Happen Fast

xoxjo’c