the Luckless Pedestrian: all lyrics and songs written by, and all pieces composed and orchestrated/arranged by Gwen Thomas.
Gwen's music has been graced by literally dozens of fabulous musicians- pop, jazz, and classically trained, orchestral and rock instrumentalists, from Seattle, to Northampton, MA, to Toronto, for live and recording settings. Here are just a few of those names:
Ken Maiuri- bass, vocals
Josh Ottum- guitars
Lacey Brown- drums
TW Walsh- bass, drums
F. Alex Johnson- guitar
Brian Marchese- drums, vocals
Dave Trenholm- alto sax, flute
Chris Dedrick- production, trumpet, guitar
Influences
Steely Dan.
Stephen Sondheim.
The Free Design.
Walter Becker. Donald Fagen. Chris Dedrick. Berend Dubbe. Ken Maiuri. Travis Morrison. I'm not just being nice, these are the names of people who's music influences mine the most.
the brightly-coloured crocheted blanket we bought together.
SAILS.
Disco strings.
ships ships ships ships paintings of ships, model ships, real ships, shipping and receiving, ships, sails on ships
Sounds Like
the long-lost niece of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, raised by squirrels, diametrically opposed to disingenuousness (unless it's so snarky that it snarks at itself), and stuffed full of elbow macaroni and cinnamon toast.
Look over there for the "Buy Now" button
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to purchase The Luckless Pedestrian's debut EP, "Sweeping, Soaring," from March, 2007. Six songs for $7, plus shipping/handling.
The Luckless Pedestrian t-shirts are also now for sale for only $12!
See them here. Or- make an order for one in your size if you don't see any that work for you. Send Gwen a myspace message for more details!
Progressive Orchestral Jazz-Influenced Lounge Pop at its somethingest.
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The Luckless Pedestrian is the musical project of 27 year-old, Seattle-native Gwen Thomas, and manifests itself in a variety of ways- from solo performances, to a 3-piece band, to an 11-piece mini-rock orchestra.
Gwen began her career as a professional musician at age 18, performing bass for a local theater company. Pretty soon after, she realized that simply playing other people's music wasn't fulfilling enough, and her real passion would be creating her own. She went on to obtain a BA degree in Music Theory and Composition in 2004, and has been working in the arena of writing, performing, and producing since 2003.
In the Spring of 2007, The Luckless Pedestrian released its first album: a six song EP entitled Sweeping, Soaring which is now available for purchase online (see "Buy Now" link below) for $7. For details on this album, and/or to ask questions specifically about it please click click here.
A 2nd EP is on its way! Four songs tinged with more of the 70s pop/ jazz influence that is becoming a trademark of Gwen's writing. The EP was recorded in late 2007, in Toronto with her mentor, Chris Dedrick (of The Free Design). Unexpected delays have postponed the release of this album, but please don't give up hope. Gwen hasn't!
Gwen continues her pursuits of creating compelling, original orchestral pop music, constantly doing what she can do develop and hone her arranging and production skills, be that with The Luckless Pedestrian project, or on the music of others looking for "that certain something" on their next album. Visit Gwen's Professional Musician page, too to find out more about acquiring Gwen's writing, arranging, performance, or production services for your next project!
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You're just a few clicks away from
owning your own copy of
The Luckless Pedestrian's 2007 EP, "Sweeping, Soaring"!
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Although originally from Seattle, and after spending about a year on the East Coast, Gwen has permanently relocated to Amsterdam, Holland. In addition to her own musical creations, she also writes material with a Dutch musician by the name of Berend Dubbe (of Amsterdam's Bauer, and former drummer of the Dutch band Bettie Serveert). Stay tuned for details about their exciting musical ventures, there's sure to be tidbits about them floating around this page from time to time.
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For a brief History of the Luckless Pedestrian, click here.
** sliver n
a thin fragment or slice that has been shaved from something.
Yes! Catching up is in order! And thank youuuu... I'm amazed it got finished. I'm still a little in shock... Of course now that everything's done I'm looking at my life and realizing there are dire consequences for putting "real" life on hold for that long...
The flyers are hand inked by D.H. Yondernod a professional flyer artist who, when he comes back home to Noho will make flyers for me to keep inspired and to not get rusty w/ his craft. He's done stuff for some really big bands/musicians etc and is always available for hire for flyers and album cover artwork etc. and is a great down to Earth guy who's is fair and honest about fees. contact him if you ever need anything FUN at dave_huckins@yahoo.com
Indeed, you have such a great pop sensibility, I found you after loving the Honda ad music. Shame you are so far away, would love to collaborate over coffee and cakes.
Gwen,
Thank you for your kind words! It means a lot to me! I thought I had recognized you from afar...
Perhaps we should share a night of music here and there sometime?
I look forward to your new songs and would love to perform on your new recordings if you have ears for that kind of thing...
Take care,
Matthew
I was listening to Heaven/Earth yesterday and it made me think of something.
If you're not familiar with Curt Boettcher or his phenomonally awesome one-LP-only released studio band The Millennium, or even the slightly less epic but still neat Sagittarius, you should absolutely check it out.
Millennium's Prelude has been getting me excited for years now. Actually, just watch this! 1968 I believe...
Yeah, I have had you up there for a little while, since I first started rearranging my whole online life.
I have a blog post planned wherein I highly recommend folks on the top of my friend list. I will then, after perhaps a month or so, pick some new and notable top folks and try to say nice things about them, too.
Hey! Actually I don..t know, how we came across your page. Myspace is a weird place with so many connections...:-) But I like your gentle and mellow sound! Cheers, Phrasenmäher
