Based in Baltimore, GW was writing songs and performing back in the late 80's New York City folk scene, sharing the stage with folks like Michelle Shocked and Richard Julian. He also led the downtown band Big Bug), did some music for TV, and wrote about music for magazines like Musician, Rolling Stone, People, The New Yorker, and Might.
Now based in Baltimore, he released the solo album Comfort Noise in 2001, and recently recorded his second album (One Band Man) playing all instruments (as in this page's sample song)---the album's being mixed and should be out soon!
Influences
Everyone from the Beatles to Martin Carthy, Big Bill Broonzy to the Pixies, Richard Thompson to James Brown, Joan Armatrading to Jimi Hendrix.
Also digging the Eels, Abba, Etta James, the dB's, Everything But the Girl, Fairport Convention, Gatemouth Brown, John Cale, Kate Bush, Nina Simone, Sarah Harmer, Moloko, Slim Gailard, the Zombies, Laurie Anderson, Sly & the Family Stone, the Kinks, Wire, Howlin' Wolf, Louis Jordan, Badfinger, Split Enz, Toure Kunda, Malathini & the Mahotella Queens, Love, Radiohead, Meshell Ndegeocello, Stevie Wonder, XTC.
Newer groovy stuff: Margot & the Nuclear So-and-So's, Imogen Heap, Scissor Sisters, Gorillaz(!), the Go! Team.
And Monty Python, Bill Cosby, Richard Prior, Eddie Izzard, Robert Klein, Leslie Marmon Silko, Ender's Game, the Narnia Chronicles, and Laurie Anderson are big influences. And monster movies.
GW's tale can be summed up with the following bullet points:
* Has performed at NYC's Folk City, CBGBs, and Village Gate
* Appeared on Fast Folk "Live at the Hoot" compilation album (1987)
* Busked the streets of Bremen, Germany and Amsterdam
* Awarded by North California Songwriter's Association
* First album "Comfort Noise" available online (iTunes, yahoo, etc, please see website)
And now.....his next album...One Band Man! 12 original songs, with GW playing all the instruments (guitars, bass, drums, keys) and singing multi-part harmonies! Check out the songs on this page!
Hey Happy! Never catcha in pogo anymore. Boo hoo....LOL
Love your tunes sweetie. I have been sooo busy keeping my 2 gigs going (compliance and jewelry) but I still get out and play at the jams when I can. Hope you are doing well amigo...
RadioIndy Review of "One Band Man" is filled with lyrics, licks, and lessons of life that reflect the abounding talents of Geoffrey Welchman. In keeping with historical trend-makers, Welchman shows us the path of bluesy, contemporary music, as he echoes past, present and future sentiment in this well-put together package. The musicianship on the CD is impressive, especially considering that Geoffrey performed all of the instruments himself. The production is very clean with some interesting effects. The highlight of the CD, however, is the songwriting, which combines interesting and sometimes unpredictable chord progressions with clever and well thought-out lyrics. One of our favorite tracks, "Unforgiven" is an adult rock track filled with raw emotion that blends electric guitar licks with beautiful self-harmonies. "Fender Bender" begins with some interesting effects that fade into a catchy bass line that provides a very cool groove for this track. This CD is well worth a listen to hear some of the creative songwriting and impressive musicianship of one talented person! By Terri D., Manny V, and RadioIndy. comhttp://www. radioindy. com/bands/3874/
open mic at unitarian unversalists of fallston 11/3/07; doors open at 7pm, sign-up starts at 7pm. 20 minute acoustic-based set. food and drinks available, free admission but donations accepted to cover costs. uufallston.org for directions. hope to see you there. Mark
Great tunes last night Geoffrey! I enjoyed your performance at Borders Books. Russ http://www.baltimoresongwriters.org/albums/album10/BSA_SC71907_0001.sized.jpg
Hi Geoffrey,
Thanks for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the show, and the CD. They're like children, aren't they? I've been listening to yours as well, and I'm really enjoying it.
Cheers,
Karyn
