Ever wonder what might happen if Chris Trapper was transported back to the mid-1980's to release an album? "Into The Bright Lights" is the music that he might have created in that situation, blending an 80's feel with the Chris Trapper that you've known and loved for years.
Chris Trapper has always defined his music through his songwriting and storytelling, and this latest digital release is no exception. It is incredibly reminiscent of his debut solo album as well as the music he made in the early days with The Push Stars. "Family Tree" is signature Chris Trapper, as his lyrics are the star and his vocal delivery is as unique as his music. "The Game Is Done" and the title track are also excellent tracks. Trapper will always be one of those musicians that you can count on for great music, and this new EP is no exception.
Check out the EP for yourself by clicking on the cover art and downloading the album by naming your own price.
GUELPH. A powerful force of nature swept through the Hillside Festival on Saturday.
No, I'm not referring to persistent showers throughout much of the day that turned the island into a soggy sponge before the sun appeared just in time to be seen sinking into Guelph Lake.....
"Good music leavened with a humour was provided by Buffalo-bred singer/songwriter Chris Trapper"
I decided to release this in the "pay what you can" model, as an offering for those fans who may be under the economic tide,
and for those of you who are swimming, all proceeds for this recording will pool into my next recording budget, tour support,
and my ongoing struggle with doughnut addiction.
Many thanks for your continued support, Chris Trapper
I tend to forget sometimes that I am a singer, because I'm so caught up in songwriting, so when Crit and Brad asked me to sing some tunes for them I thought...really? me? I'm no Frank Sinatra...but heck, why not. Crit has actually recorded a bunch of stuff for me, including the original recording of my "Birthday Song" so I owed him a favor or two as well. Chris Trapper
Be Sure To Tune In:
On Episode 604 Chris Trapper can be heard singing a song called "Frozen Snow"
music by Brad Hatfield, lyrics by Crit Harmon.
On Episode 606 Chris is singing a song called "I Will Take You Home"
music by Brad Hatfield, lyrics by Crit Harmon.
Episode 604 Breakout, Original Air Date: July 20, 2010
Episode 606 Sanctuary, Original Air Date: August 3, 2010
There's two reasons why Chris Trapper appeals to me. One, he's worked extensively with one of my all-time favorite bands, Celtic-rock outfit Great Big Sea. But two, Trapper is a fellow stutterer who wrote his first song as a teenager to express his angst over being picked on in school. Since then, Trapper has fronted the indie alt-rockers The Push Stars and, while on hiatus from that band, has carved out a niche as a solo artist who produces intricate power-pop songs that are smart, honest, jaded, and funny. His ability to tell stories of everyday people and their struggles will be on display when he plays two shows at Abilene this weekend.
Chris Trapper plays Fri-Sat, April 30-May 1 at 8:30 p.m. at Abilene Bar & Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way. $20. 232-3230
The Chris Trapper song In My Sight can be heard (about 65 seconds of it!) in the Hallmark Channel Movie Elevator Girl.
Listen for Chris' music, about 2/3 of the way in, during the Jake's Burgers romantic music montage.
In My Sight can be heard on the current CHRIS TRAPPER CD: Til The Last Leaf Falls
CHRIS TRAPPER CONTRIBUTES THREE ORIGINAL SONGS TO INDIE FILM FIGHTING FISH
"Avalanche", "Weightless" and "Time To Forgive"
Film Premiers April 20, 2010
Boston singer/songwriter Chris Trapper contributes three original songs, "Avalanche", "Weightless" and "Time To Forgive" to indie film Fighting Fish. Chris enjoys a long-standing creative rapport with the film's Producer, Bertha Bay-Sa Pan and is pleased to be a cornerstone artist for the film and corresponding soundtrack.
Fighting Fish is the first feature coming from producer Bertha Bay-Sa Pan's recently launched Slew Pictures (Face, Almost Perfect). Fighting Fish is Annette Apitz's feature-film directorial debut. The film was shot with a Red camera in upstate New York.
Pan says: "We are dedicated to telling stories with heart and intelligence that cross international borders"
The talented cast includes Val Emmich (Ugly Betty, 30 Rock), Anna Moore ("The Life Before her Eyes"), Halley Feiffer ("The Messenger," "Gentlemen Broncos") and Haviland Morris ("Adam"). Three of Val Emmich's songs are on the film's soundtrack. Other soundtrack artists who supported this project include Elf Power, Imperial Teen, Chris Trapper, This Car Up, and Mark McAdam.
Fighting Fish world premiere is confirmed for April 20, 2010 at the NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL as part of the First-Time Filmmaker Competition category. There will be two screenings: April 20th at 9:15 pm and April 2st1 at 5:15 pm, at Regal Green Hills Cinemas.
Bertha Bay-Sa Pan directed the music video for Chris Trapper's pop tune "Wish I Was Cool".
Friday, March 12th at 8 PM Chris Trapper came into Prescott on tour, performing at Livy Lou's until 11 PM. The clothing store was converted to an intimate setting for the preparation of Trapper's musical performance.
Also, along with Chris Trapper, the audience was treated to two other singer's. One being an old friend of Chris' from New York, Adam. The other being a local girl, Shelby.
Starting at 7:40 with a performance from Shelby Trischler. With a beautiful voice, accompanied by an acoustic guitar, it was a great opening for the show. After her performance there was a short break, before the next performer took the stage. Taking the stage next at 8:35 was Adam, growing up with Chris in New York. Performing a single song as an opener for Trapper's performance.
Finally, Chris took the stage at 8:45 in the evening, beginning his performance by asking how the audience was doing. Trapper has an interesting way of performing, not only does he sing, but he also tells stories from his experiences, making a connection with the audience that most musicians lack. Just one of the reason's for the extraordinary performances he provides, that connection allows a personal touch, something that will stick with the people present at his shows.
PHOENIX EXAMINER
Q&A with Signer/Songwriter Chris Trapper, by Sahara Faughn
February 19, 2010
After hearing Chris Trapper was coming to town for a performance, I decided to contact him for a quick Q&A to help promote the performance and get to know him a little before his show.
Q: First of all, I think its important to ask how your doing ... Often times I think people forget singer/songwriters are people to, they have feelings, good days, bad days. So, how are you?
Chris: I’m very well, thank you. Just getting ready to play tonight in Syracuse, N.Y. where the winter weather today is semi–frightful. Aside from getting 4 hours of sleep last night
(which has become the norm for me) I am feeling good.
Q: Have you ever been to the Prescott area before?
Chris: I’ve never been to Prescott, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful. I’ve played Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale,Tucson, and Flagstaff, but this will be my first time in Prescott.
Q: Do you have a particular song, or album that you feel is a personal achievement?
Chris: As far as having a CD that’s personal achievement, I think my Gone Again album would be my vote, If only because I was in such a creative space making the record.
At the time, my rock n roll band, the Push Stars, had decided to go from full time job to semi–retirement, and I knew I had to go solo, but I wanted a clean slate creatively,
so I talked to my buddy John Clark who leads a 7 piece jazz band, and asked if they'd make a CD with me. Now to differentiate, some people think jazz and they think Kenny G,
but the Wolverine Jazz Band plays New Orleans style traditional, or Dixieland jazz, and have a median average band member age of about 60 years old.
So the process of blending styles was cool, and I got the most press I’d ever gotten nationally because the concept seemed to interest people.
But mostly, the record itself is the testament that music knows no boundaries. It’s played live, not with computers, and the engineer got really good sounds, so listening to it, you feel like you’re in the room with us.
Q: Have you ever gotten stage fright, like when you first started and first saw the audience?
Do you still get that from time to time? Where you just need to take a few moments and collect yourself before going out there.
Chris: I always get stage fright. If I didn’t, I’d think something was enormously wrong. My pre–show ritual is to feel like a sheep being led to slaughter,
and the thoughts running through my head are ’why the hell do I do this for a living, I'm such an idiot’ My post show feeling is relief, success, a certain ’ahhhhh, thank god that’s over’
And that feeling of fear and release is addictive.
Q: Do you feel your career as a singer/songwriter has had a jump since doing the song for August Rush?
Chris: No, not really any particularly huge jumps anywhere. What ’August Rush’ HAS done is help sustain my career and enable me to add a great story to my suitcase when I go out on the road,
and also bring in enough money to put food on the table for a couple years when I’m home. My career has truly been a slow and steady marathon, and I’d love it no other way.
I also think it was a beautiful movie, and a lot of people loved it, so being attached to it has lent a certain credibility around me in some people’s eyes.
Besides, whenever I’ve had songs in movies, my parents have tended to stop nagging me to get a real job ... for about a year.
Q: After touring the US, do you have plans of touring overseas at any time in the future?
Chris: I just played in Scotland and Germany in December, and had a wonderful time. I have to say, it was the easiest touring I’ve ever done. I didn’t have to drive anywhere,
book any hotel rooms, and I was not allowed to pay for anything while I was there. (my hosts in Scotland threatened to beat the p*ss out of me if I revealed my wallet at any time) I’m going back in May.
Q: A lot of music out today tends to influence society, how they dress, act, talk ... and some of that isn’t always good influence. Do you hope your music will influence the younger generations?
How so?
Chris: I honestly don’t think of myself as important enough to influence people. And that’s just being honest. But at the same time,
I guess most of the artists who DO influence people probably don’t have a right to. Look, songwriting is an art form, and my vehicle is entertainment, but Saturday nights party is ultimately Sunday mornings memory,
so I see it all as semi–meaningless. I love it, but I also use it as a release to get me through the stuff I’m going through. I guess it’s selfish in that respect.
But I think a good writer should always remember his / her audience, and I hope that people will hear an occasional nice message in my lyrics.
Funny, now that I think about it, there’s a beautiful song by John Prine called ’Hello in there’ which influenced me maybe more than any other piece of artwork I’ve ever come across.
The song’s message is simple, getting old is lonesome and hard, but the last line goes ’so if you’re walking down the street sometime, and you spot some hollow ancient eyes,
please don’t just pass them by and stare, as if you didn’t care, say hello in there, hello’ and to this day, I always say hi to old people. True, it's not ’smack my bitch up’ but it is powerful to me.
Q: If you could say anything to the readers out there, and the people listening to your music, what would it be?
Chris: I would thank them. I know there are several million musical listening options, so for the fact that they not only stumbled onto my music, but actually listen, thanks.
I want to thank you very much for your time. I wish you the best of luck with your music and hope to hear more from you in the future!
His performance will be Friday, March 12, 2010 at Livy Lou's in Prescott, Arizona.
ALL MY CHILDREN
THIS TIME featured scene
original air date: Dec-02-09
“We’ve tabulated the votes, and the Top Ten CD’s of 2009 have been selected.
We’ve listed CD’s #15 to #11 below, in case you wanted to see who ’just missed’ being included in the WUMB Top 10 for 2009. Thanks to all who voted. “
15 – Chris Trapper – Til the Last Leaf Falls
14 – Geoff Muldaur – Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks
13 – Elien Jewell – Sea of Tears
12 – Levon Helm – Electric Dirt
11 – Eliza Gilkyson – Beautiful World
10 – Buddy & Julie Miller – Written in Chalk
9 – The Derek Trucks Band – The Derek Trucks Band
8 – Chris Smither – Time Stands Still
7 – Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women
6 – Susan Werner – Classics
5 – Justin Townes Earle – Midnight at the Movies
4 – Monsters of Folk – Monsters of Folk
3 – Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
2 – Tom Russell – Blood & Candle Smoke
1 – Antje Duvekot – The Near Demise of the High Wire
MELODIC.NET
FOUR OUT OF A POSSIBLE FIVE STARS
January 12, 2010
Chris Trapper with a history in the cool band Push Stars and four released albums is a really productive artist. As a solo artist, he has over an eight year
period managed to deliver six albums, and with a good result every time. Ok, if he had done half as many, we had been given stronger and more consistent album,
but thinks he still has managed to create something exciting every time. A large part of this is of course good songs, but he has also a very proper voice.
Would not say that Chris Trapper is one of the greatest singers, but few artists have such a presence and feeling in his voice, which makes he especially interesting.
’Til The Last Leaf Falls’ is no exception to his earlier material and is of course, a nice pop – rock album in the spirit of both Brian Vander Ark and Jay Clifford.
Would even say that it is his best solo album and very close to Push Stars best moments. There is a playfulness and optimism behind the melodies which make him stand out among all
singer–songwriters out there. It can also be further confirmed as Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty is said to have expressed that Chris Trapper writes “The kind of music that songwriters love“.
Not bad from a great hero who has written a few good track over the years. So if you want a warm and very well written album " 'Til The Last Leaf Falls" is a very good investment,
very uncomplicated, but also very well made done.
Like many major–label casualties, Chris Trapper has garnered a cult following with his easy E Street pop–rock.
Trapper quietly polishes tunes of booze, brunets and broken dreams both as a solo artist and as the songwriter behind the Push Stars.
CHRIS TRAPPER SHOW FEATURED AS A TWIN CITIES BEST BET
for the Week of Jan 3-9
*Big Thanks* to music journalist Rob Hubbard of the Pioneer Press for selecting the Jan-07 Chris Trapper show at Ginkgo's as a Twin Cities BEST BET
FOLK / CHRIS TRAPPER
Thursday: Boston has a thriving rock scene, but it is also known for pumping out first-rate singer-songwriters.
After becoming the toast of the former with his band, the Push Stars, Chris Trapper decided to check out life in the latter.
One could say Trapper has always gone out of his way to avoid stardom, the Push Stars eschewed major-label offers in favor
of small indies, where they had more creative control. Now, Trapper has taken that to an extreme by barnstorming the coffeehouse
circuit alone, playing intimate venues like Ginkgo, which we're betting has never before hosted anyone who once warmed up for
Matchbox 20. 7:30 p.m.; Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; $12; 651-645-2647.
