This project we call Wrenclaw commenced over a few beers with Brian Knapp in Madison, WI. We decided to record the tracks in his in-laws' cabin outside of Rome, WI (there are two Romes, by the way, we were in Adams County Rome). The band consisted of myself (Dan Walkner) playing all the guitars and harmonicas, Matt Crane on drums, congas and a few strange percussion items (some kind of a cheese grater?), Dan Plourde on bass, Jacob Miller on percussion and vocals, Nate Gray on keys, and my dear ol' daddy, Bill Walkner, on bass, vocals, and the cooking of chili to sustain us through the process. Brian set up a studio in the living room and a "booth" in the bedroom to capture the magic. All of the pre-amps and other recording apparatti (?) were made by, and on loan from, Dan Probst. We recorded it Friday night, drank a bunch of beer, played ping-pong, had a bonfire, slept, and recorded the rest on Saturday. Sunday we were greeted with a downpour of snow, and everyone fled except myself, Jake, and Brian to finish the vocals with the natural reverb of the Great White North. When we got back to Madison, Anna Laube and Corey Hart joined us for some vocal dubs, and that was it. Little to no effects, just rooms, instruments, and souls. The LP was mixed by Brian. We then sent it to be mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering in Brooklyn, NY. The art was created by my boyhood pal Matthew Lange in Kansas City, MO. It was colored and edited by my cousin Zack Guyette (also quite the musician himself, check out his band "Zeal of Dinosaurs"), and the layout was created by Maurice Thaler using pictures taken by Erica Krug and a typewriter owned by WORT 89.9 DJ Dave Watts.
credits
Wrenclaw
Side A:
1. Lonesome Town 3:56
2. Pinecone 4:17
3. All Alone 3:53
4. Early Morning Rain 4:45
Side B:
5. Rockwood 3:19
6. I Guess 5:09
7. Shadow 8:48
8. Ain't No More Cane 3:44
All songs written by Dan Walkner except- Pinecone (Derek Pritzl), Lonesome Town (William Walkner), and Ain't No More Cane (traditional arranged by Wrenclaw). Published ASCAP by Wrenclaw Records © 2013.
Musicians: Dan Walkner (guitars, lap steel, harmonica, vocals), William Walkner (bass, accordion, vocals, chili chef), Dan Plourde (bass), Matt Crane (drums and percussion), Jacob Miller (percussion and vocals), Nate Gray (piano and organ), Anna Laube (vocals), Corey Hart (vocals). Engineered by Brian Knapp and Dan Probst. Mixed by Brian Knapp in Madison, WI. Mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering in Brooklyn, NY. Vinyls printed by Gotta Groove Records in Cleveland, OH.
Contributors: Matthew Lange (cover art illustrator), Zack Guyette (cover art ink), Maurice Thaler (layout), Dan Probst (all analog recording gear), Rob and Chris Crane (let us record in their cabin outside of Rome, WI), Dave Watts (typewriter), Erica Krug (cover photography).
Thanks to everyone who helped get this record into the world. These songs are written by small town people about universal things and I'm eternally grateful to all who've helped along the way especially Alice and Bill Walkner, Nathan, Katie, Matthew, and Sophia Walkner, Peter, Linda, Sena, and Harry Krug, Joey Zarda, The Isenrings, John Ricke, Jess Lincoln, Tanya Owens Crane, and anybody who listens to this and digs it. Thanks a lot. Contact me at
dewalkner@gmail.com or
www.wrenclaw.com
tags
released April 14, 2014