STAGE TUBE: Spottiswoode & His Enemies to Take Up Residency at the Living Room

Spottiswoode & His Enemies have released their first song collection since the 2008 double release that marked their tenth anniversary. Wild Goosechase Expedition is the band's most shamelessly eclectic recording since their very first eponymous CD over a decade ago. It's a mad scramble of songs that mirrors the madness of life on the road. "It's our Magical Mystery Tour," says Spott. "As a bandleader, I often feel like a general leading his troops on one doomed tour after another. This is a surreal trip through a warring world."

Click below to watch the first music video off of their new album!

In part an homage to the Beatles, the CD's remarkable artwork by renownEd English painter, Alexander Gorlizki, reflects the retro psychedelic spirit of the band's latest adventure. Produced for Old Soul Records by Kenny Siegal (Chris Whitley, Larkin Grimm, Joseph Arthur), the CD opens with the anthemic "Beautiful Monday," but it gradually becomes darker and stranger. The band, in top form, careens from balls-out rock, novelty blues and haunting balladry to acerbic sometimes tongue-in cheek social commentary - as in the high-octane lament, "All Gone Wrong." The journey ends with the epic "You Won't Forget Your Dream" featuring a haunting solo from trumpeter Kevin Cordt followed by a tour-de-force response from Tony Lauria on piano.

The CD also shows off the incredible versatility of lead guitarist, Riley McMahon; soulful and savage saxophone and singing from Candace DeBartolo; and the rock tight rhythm section of John Young on bass and Konrad Meissner (subbing in for Tim Vaill who has since returned to the band) on drums and percussion.

Spottiswoode himself strums a guitar and sings from a catalogue of perspectives. Ever the chameleon, he plays jaded rocker, heartbroken romantic,vaudeville comedian, introspective philosopher, Zen-like sage and complete lunatic. He commits to every role. "I am tired of irony," he says. "Each song is sincere in its own way. Sometimes my funniest songs come from the saddest place. That is the wonderful alchemy of songwriting. I meant every word of I'd Even Follow You To Philadelphia when I wrote it."

Residency at the Living Room:

Spottiswoode & His Enemies will play a Sunday night October residency at the Living Room and perform completely different sets of original songs reflecting the remarkably broad range of the English frontman's songwriting.

Sunday, October 2nd: a Pastoral Set of eerie and folksy ballads featuring Tony Lauria on accordion and Riley McMahon on mandolin.

Sunday, October 9th: a Rock and Roll Set of greatest hits and songs fromWild Goosechase Expedition, the band's latest CD.

Sunday, October 16th: a Songwriter Triangle Double-Set. Spottiswoodetrades songs and sings harmonies with two of his favorite singer-songwriters; Kenny White (www.kennywhite.net), fresh from his own residency at the Café Carlyle earlier this year, and
Amy Correia (www.amycorreia.com), recently returned from touring with Chrissie Hynde.

Sunday, October 23rd: a Jazz Blues Set highlighting the brassy lyricism of Kevin Cordt on trumpet and Candace De Bartolo on saxophone, as well as the rhythmic explosiveness of Tim Vaill on drums and John Young on bass.

Sunday, October 30th: a Halloween Set full of soul, theatre and the unexpected.

All performances begin at 9pm.
The Living Room 154 Ludlow Street 212 533-7237 http://www.livingroomny.com/
www.spottiswoode.com