Recording artist, composer, and music educator Damen Easton joins forces with singer-songwriter Jimmie Herrod on new AB tracks, “The Stars” and “Carnival.”
Talking about the message of “The Stars,” Easton shares, “I think it’s a much-needed message, but it’s somewhat contrarian. It contradicts much of what we are bombarded with from media in every direction. What I refer to is summed up in the chorus of the second track: ‘What if we don’t reach for the stars? What if we just love what is ours?’”
After receiving his Master of Music in Composition, Easton was a professor of music theory at Portland State University and now serves as director of music for the Margo Fonteyn Academy of Ballet. In 2020, Easton released his art-pop album, The Dark Corners. With “The Stars,” he took a different approach, sticking to the role of composer and employing the vocal talents of the incomparable Jimmie Herrod.
On his part, in 2021, Jimmie Herrod competed on America’s Got Talent, where he made the finals, followed by appearances on PBS, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and 2023’s AGT All-Stars. Herrod has toured around the world with Pink Martini, as well as releasing a jazz-influenced album, an EP with Pink Martini, and his recent EP, Elated.
Herrod has shared the stage with Lalah Hathaway, Renee Fleming, Vince Mendoza, Laura Osnes, Monet X Change, Capathia Jenkins, Jinx Monsoon, Idina Menzel, Brian Blade, Steven Rieneke, Aoife O’donovan, Raul Midón, Vince Mendoza, Kandace Springs, and Bilal.
“Carnival” opens on low-slung lush layers of strings, guitars, and piano topped by the evocative voice of Herrod, imbuing the lyrics with luscious passion, conveyed on soaring timbres. On the outro, the tune takes on a majestic, operatic feel, brimming with vibrant waves of harmonics, at once elegant and potent.
“The Stars” rolls out on gently shimmering tones, atop a light, mid-tempo rhythm. A gleaming piano, accompanied by soft guitar accents, gives the song a creamy, flowing melody. Herrod’s high, rich vocals infuse the lyrics with warm, quixotic flavors.
Beautifully wrought, both “Carnival” and “The Stars” deliver sumptuous washes of dreamy, beguiling sonic motion and bravura vocals.
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Follow Jimmie Herrod Instagram | Facebook | Spotify
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