"a blissful collection of hook-driven singles...a big, bold retro-tinged pop-rock band (who)... throw(s) genuine emotion on top of a great hook and take(s) it for a ride." -Jordan Lawrence, Daily Tar Heel
Opener "Held Up" is a fitting gambit for the LP—it's the band's best synthesis of roots rock and pure pop yet. A deft string arrangement and steady bass-and-drum backbeat brush against Phelan's voice, which sits somewhere between Geddy Lee and Neil Young in the subset of male rock vocalists with a divisive high range. Its disco pulse—like Jamiroquai reimagined as an alt-country act, but better than that sounds—doesn't overwhelm Luego's rootsy aesthetic but instead showcases the band's willingness to stretch its sound.
"Riding the Beggars-Banquet ambitions of singer Patrick Phelan, Luego delivered a set of good-old boozy country rock that had enough vibrant life and good turns of phrase to still sound fresh." -Bryan Reed, Indy Weekly -The Daily Tar Heel, Diversions - June 2009 - Jordan Lawrence
"The new lineup has coalesced, transforming Luego from a timid, folky indie-pop band into a self-assured, Southern-rooted unit blending classic pop and roots rock" -Independent Weekly (Ral-Dur-Chap Hill, NC) - June 2009
"This new Luego has traded its orchestral dabbling for a rock solid foundation in Neil Young-type roots rock, Comboland pop and even a touch of T. Rex swagger." -Independent Weekly (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC) - January 2009
"A month after Luego's drummer sold his kit and gave up drumming, frontman Patrick Phelan has picked up the pieces, recruited some sidemen and now continues to offer well-tempered rock songs with audacious vocals and a symphonic touch. Max Indian joins the bill with a refined lineup and a PBR-approved approach to pop. Roman Candle's Jeff Crawford opens with his charming solo pop project. $5/ 10 p.m." -Independent Weekly (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC) - October 2008
"they're busy now backing frontman Patrick Phelan's passionate lyrics about driftwood orchestras. He's got a quirky inflection and a hint of swagger to pit against the band's largely sunny jangle." -Independent weekly (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC) - July 2007
"Luego is a new one to watch in Durham. Part of the band's smarts lies in its balance between warm, folksy Dylan-esque rock-economics and the solid build of weepy symphony strings." -Independent weekly (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC) - October 2007
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Luego begins with Patrick Phelan. Born and raised in Texas, Patrick, the youngest of three, began playing piano at an early age. He became fascinated with 70s icons such as Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger. Upon graduating high school, Phelan relocated to Durham, NC to study Philosophy and Spanish at Duke University.
It was here that he began Luego as a solo act. Slowly he began adding musicians for short and longish periods of time. Upon graduating in 2007, he recorded an EP with what members he could come up with and toured that EP for the next year and a half with a rotating cast of musicians until touring wore them down and left Patrick without a band.
In September 2008, Patrick sought out the help of producer/bassist Jeff Crawford to make a solo record under the Luego name. Within weeks he had assembled the current band, consisting of Peter Holsapple (the dBs, R.E.M.), Nick Jaeger (Roman Candle, Max Indian), Jeff Crawford and Rob DiMauro. what brought them together was a mutual love for the Band.
After a year of playing together, Luego will release its full length debut, Taped-together Stories. Though it is just the beginning for los hombres de Luego, their momentum is gaining quickly.
Taped-together Stories comes out in the US on October 17th. Phelan will be touring solo in Belgium and Holland in November to promote its European release and will return to Europe in March with Luego, the band. A US tour is also in the works.
Of course we remember! Thanks so much for coming to our release and for your kind words. Heard you guys on 88.1 the other day and thought....we need to do a show with those guys again sometime soon. Keep in touch A & P
Hey! Reviewed your performance at WKNC's Fridays on the Lawn concert on my podcast this week. You can listen on my profile page or here. Can't wait to see you guys on the 17th!
what's up boys, the Duke Coffeehouse show was stellar...i snapped some pics and blogged on it. link is here if anyone is interested to read. Secret Carrboro Ninja Patrol. word.
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Luego begins with Patrick Phelan. Born and raised in Texas, Patrick, the youngest of three, began playing piano at an early age. He became fascinated with 70s icons such as Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger. Upon graduating high school, Phelan relocated to Durham, NC to study Philosophy and Spanish at Duke University.
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