Neil Young, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark, Amiee Mann, The Band, Elliot Smith, Big Star, Talking Heads, The Beatles, Brian Wilson, Jayhawks, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Gram Parsons, Elvis, Hamel On Trial, The Who, J.J. Cale, Ry Cooder, Richard Thompson, Michael Hurley...
"The Ominous Seapods have closed up shop, leaving founding member Dana Monteith to fend for himself. This is not a problem. Monteith has more than enough material under his belt. He's also got the talent and the guitar chops to make solo folkies drool..." Greg Haymes, Albany Times Union, Albany, NY
"wry literate songwriting..." Citizens Voice, Wilkes Barre, PA
"twang and integrity..." Ethan Covey, 7 Days, Burlington, VT
"Dana Monteith assembled an impressive array of local music luminaries to honor Parsons music and remember the late Chris Ryan... Monteith joined by Cris Noel, movingly performed a couple of Parsons' signature tunes, "Hickory Wind and "Return of The Grievous Angel"... Shawn Stone, Metroland,
Albany, NY
"an alt country torpedo..." Arthur Gonick, Saratoga Original Music Showcase, Saratoga, NY
"modular country music at a value added price..." Monty Roberts, Rville, NY
"Dana Monteith continues to write some of the best songs on the genre..." Barry Smolins, The Music Never Stops, KPFK, Los Angeles
"Nice..good songs..." WFMU, NY/NJ
"Truck Stop Love Ballads"
Americana singer/songwriter Dana Monteith’s first solo CD, “Truck Stop Love Ballads” is “as honest of a recording as you are bound to come across in 2007. Truck Stop Love Ballads weave personal experience with emotion and engaging pop culture references that keep listeners coming back for more. To boot Dana displays on this album that he's a killer guitarist and has a unique voice that works perfectly for his special brand of music.
For the Love of Waffle House, the endless procession of the white lines on a billboard sky, years on the drunk and the pious clarity of sobriety and the release from said cause of clarity to a glorious stoned state. A life in constant motion, the hum of the highway, the bright city lights. All at once heartbreakingly sarcastic beautifully sad redemption. It's raining out but it always is unless it's not. Something is about to happen and I can't put my finger on it. Might as well sing some Truck Stop Love Ballads.
This is the first solo album from Dana Monteith, founder of the infamous psychedelic improvisational rock band Ominous Seapods. Dropping out of college to pursue music full-time, Dana toured North America in a van performing clubs, theaters and festivals. From the Wetlands in New York City to the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, Dana and the Seapods tore up the highways and byways of America through-out the 90's leaving behind a legacy of 5 CD's, thousands of live recordings and countless fans. In the end the band imploded and after their final blow out down on the Baja Peninsula, Mexico the band flew home and called it a day. The Seapods were pioneers of their genre, and what set them apart from their peers was the gifted songwriting skills of the band. Dana was a major force in this process and the songs on Truck Stop Love Ballads represent his songwriting with raw honestly. This album is also about the do it yourself philosophy. Taking full advantage of the available technology, Dana set-up Kitchen Table Recording Corporation of America, a mobile recording facility to create all technical aspects of this album.
The Interview: By Monty Roberts
Monty Roberts: So Dana tell us about "Truck Stop Love Ballads". What is the story?
Dana Monteith: I was playing this solo gig in New York City at a club called Tobacco Road and my good friend Lynn Guppy said to me "dude, that's truck stop love ballads that your playing." Ten years spent living in a van must have come through. The phrase stuck and it has been a driving force ever since.
MR: Here is everyone's favorite question. So what does it sound like?
DM: The number one comment that I get regarding this question would be Neil Young, which I am honored to receive.
MR: So you had another band?
DM: Yes, in fact the other musicians on TSLB were members of that band whose name I can't legally mention. We named ourselves after a famous midwest truck stop whose trademark lawyers were none to amused by our band moniker. Back in December I received a cease and desist letter regarding the band name and have since dropped it. I think the next band will be called the Flying Jays.
MR: Tell us how you created this album?
DM: Well John Rice and I started putting it together at the end of 2005. We did a session at an old 1840 Methodist church, now a community performance space called Conkling Hall, We did sessions at John's house as well. I went to Australia, played a gig and when I came back in early 2006 I put together Kitchen Table Recording Corporation of America. I finished up recording at my house and pedal steel player, Rick Morse's house. We took advantage of the technology which has allowed us to do everything ourselves.
MR: What is next?
DM: I look forward to getting back to performing. It's been a longtime coming. I also look forward to recording another album later on this year.
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Hey Dana, I was just informed a couple of hours ago that the Jug Stompers are going to be doing thier Lark Tavern thing on the 4th Monday in September due to Labor Day, so the recording would be happening on the 22nd instead. Does this work for you? Let me know. enjoy all that ya can, AC
WHAT: STERLING STAGE STRING FLING WHEN: July 3-6, 2008 WHERE: STERLING STAGE, 274 Kent Rd, Sterling NY 13156 WHO: 7/3 - Tim Herron and Charley Orlando 7/4 - Boris Garcia, Hot Day At The Zoo, Free Grass Union, Jamie Notarthomas, Jatoba, more 7/5 - Jazz Mandolin Project, Gordon Stone Band, Dana Monteith & the Flying Jays, Appalachian Still, Cabinet, more 7/6 - Love Volcanoes, more tba
"The String Fling is a celebration of the growing popularity of modern music inspired by traditional American roots. Bluegrass, Appalachian, and Country & Western are all influences, but this is hardly your grandfathers music. Inspired more by Jerry Garcia and Old and In The Way then by Bill Monroe (please forgive us) and by such national festivals as San Francisco's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and the Austin City Limits Fest, the String Fling brings this concept to Upstate NY and the rest of the Northeast. An event where bluegrass, newgrass, jamgrass, alt. country, appalachian, singer/songwriters, string jazz, and a bunch of otherwise uncategorized stuff all blends together seamlessly."
Oswego County's Sterling Stage is an old Christmas tree farm that began hosting live music events in 1995. In the past 13 years, Sterling Stage has presented Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy winners, bluegrass legends, and legendary guitar heroes, along with hundreds of regional and local musicians. Past performers include Dickey Betts, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Vassar Clements, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Donna Jean Godchaux Band, Merl Saunders, Commander Cody and Jonathon Edwards just to name a few. Sterling Stage is located 15 minutes west of Oswego, and is only a few miles from Lake Ontario.
Howdy Dana, Thanks again for having me, Mitchy and the gals at the Hall last month. I had a great time when I wasn't worried about my blunders and splattering coffee on my family. I just hard back fro the RJS folks. How's September 15th for ya (3rd Monday at the lark)? Let me know. enjoy all that ya can Dana, Love ya, AC
Jesus got up one day a little later than usual. He had been dream- ing so deep there was nothing left in his head. What was it? A nightmare, dead bodies walking all around him, eyes rolled back, skin falling off. But he wasn't afraid of that. It was a beau- tiful day. How 'bout some coffee? Don't mind if I do. Take a little ride on my donkey, I love that donkey. Hell, I love everybody.
Winter Carnival Is Upon Us, With Less Then 3 Weeks Away, Its Going To Be One Hellofa Party, Hope To See You And Your Friends At The Waterhole.
Check Out Http://Www.Saranaclakewintercarnival.Com/ For More Info. ----- Hey Dana what are you doing feb 3rd like happy hour time? I think you guys need to band together as some band from albany and play after the parade, get back to me. devito
Happy Holy Daze Dana, I hope the year is wrappin' up good for you and the family. Lookin back on it I got to thank you again for the best gig this gal had in it. When I'm done unintentionaly rebuilding my van we'll do that other thing. Enjoy all that you can, And have a Very Happy New Year, A.C.
I've got this nice local jam night that has gotten to the point where we're jamming until the place closes. It's like a showcase of bands/musicians each month and then a jam afterwards... so if you'd like to get in on the action, let me know. Here's the info:
STELLA's LOUNGE (The Catskill Point) 7 Main Street Catskill, NY 12414 LOCAL BAND JAM and OPEN MIC NIGHT 7PM-1AM NO COVER CHARGE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 28th FRIDAY JANUARY 25th ...every last Friday of EVERY month!
If you're curious... Last month's Jam night featured some of these guys: Positive Mental Trip (myspace.com/positivementaltrip) Dubois For Sheriff (myspace.com/duboisforsheriff) Darrin Bradburry and the Ballistics (myspace.com/darrinbradburry) Erin Hobson (myspace.com/erinhobson) AND PLENTY MORE!
