Since I joined the Scene SC team in early May, David has slotted me as his go to writer for female singer/songwriters, a job that I won’t complain about one bit. Having covered a good deal of said artists and having played in a band with one for two years (Columbia’s Cayla Fralick), I possess a fair understanding of the popular local female singer/songwriter formula – beautiful, unique voice; well-crafted, pensive and emotive lyrics; great use of social and local media; and last but not least, a desire to grow and move on to a bigger market (Nashville, L.A., etc.). This last criterion is where Angela Easterling differs from the rest, fully embracing her Greenville, S.C. roots to inspire her music and set her apart from the stars-in-their-eyes sonsgtress contingent.
Easterling once fit completely into my so crudely fashioned typecast, having moved to Los Angeles after college to work on her dream career of being a musician. She instead found that merely living and surviving in L.A. stifled her music and, in true prodigal fashion, returned home to South Carolina to focus on her craft. Reenergized by the familiar Palmetto surroundings and newly formed full band backing her, Easterling has once again hit her creative stride.
Angela’s re-relocation and rededication to music now bears fruit in the form of her new album, ‘Beguiler,’ which will be released Tuesday, July 19 on the Crash Avenue record label. This is Easterling’s first recording with the aforementioned backing band, dubbed “The Beguilers,” and it’s clear listening to the sample track “Two Clouds” (available to listen below) that she’s taking full advantage of the new musical resources she’s been given. The song starts off with guitarist Brandon Turner exhibiting some Steve Cropper style, Blues Brothers-esque ascending notes alongside a soaring organ line, then Easterling’s commanding voice and drummer Jeff Hook’s driving beat propel the song into what becomes a country-tinged summer romp of a track.
[audio:https://www.scenesc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/09-Two-Clouds.mp3|titles=Two Clouds]Easterling will be playing a CD release party this Saturday night (July 16) at The Showroom at HUB-BUB in Spartanburg. The show’s $10 cover gets you in and gets you a copy of ‘Beguiler’ three days before the record officially drops, so it’s worth your time and money. For more information about Angela and the show, visit www.angelaeasterling.com.
