Prior to his band breaking up in 2009, Carter Tanton had spent most of his musical career working as the lead signer of Tulsa, an acclaimed low-fi indie rock band from Boston.
After releasing the EP _I Was Submerged_, the band faced legal troubles with its follow-up EP and eventually decided to break up and start over as a result. Tanton then worked as a guitarist in Marissa Nadler’s band, an experience that would later help the singer-songwriter begin work on his own album. Nadler appears on his new album in the duet, “Fake Pretend.”
“I wanted (to be successful) very badly and was serious about working hard from the start,” Tanton says.
Since then, Tanton has toured with a new band, the Lower Dens, and recorded his first solo album, _Freeclouds_. Tanton said the hardest part of recording the album was the week and a half he spent trying to record his own vocals.
Earlier this month, _Freeclouds_ received a rave review from NPR, which described his music as “chaotic” and a mix between country and indie rock. Tanton’s recent success inspired him to begin work on his follow up, while also expanding his current tour.
“The break-up convinced me that for this record I should record it and play all the instruments,” Tanton says. “I didn’t want to rely on anyone else.”
Tanton said his favorite element about _Freeclouds_ wasn’t a product of his own work, but instead the album’s cover art designed by Ryan Walsh. To release his solo album, Tanton signed to indie label Western Vinyl.
“I think his voice sets him apart from many singer-songwriters, it really lures you in,” publicist Lallie Jones says. “He’s a really talented musician and lyricist, simple as that. He’s also very self- sufficient and hard working recording each instrument on his own and making sure he stays on top of everything he has to do.”
Tanton will play Nov. 2 at Mojo’s as the opening band for The War on Drugs and Purling Hiss. The show marks one of the tour’s final dates before Tanton heads abroad to play in Lillie, France, at La Peniche. Tanton’s current 24-date tour has had the songwriter traveling all across the country for the first time as a solo act.
“After this tour, I go to Europe for a solo tour,” Tanton says. “I’ll do the Midwest in January and a full U.S. tour in late February. Hopefully I’ll get most of a new record done sometime in between.”
Tanton says his friendship with The War on Drugs lead singer encouraged him to get involved with the nationwide tour.
“I’ve loved their jams since they first started,” Tanton said. “(Adam) Granduciel is an old friend, and they’re amazing live.”
Since Tulsa’s break up, fans have wondered whether the songs meant for its follow-up album would ever see the light of day. While Tanton is appreciative of the songs the band recorded back then, he says he doesn’t see the album being released anytime soon. For now, Tanton’s focused on his upcoming solo tour and releasing a new album in the near future.
“While there are some good songs from it, honestly I prefer the demos I made before entering the studio,” Tanton says. “I’ll let some of those out as time goes on.”
