David Lutes
with a rotating cast of musicians including:
Tom Benton: Upright Bass/
Brady Muckelroy: Drums and Bass/
Mark Williams (GumB): Bass, cello/
James David Smith: mandolin, guitar, vox/
Matthew Pipkin: mandolin/
Adam Sultan: Guitars/
Dony Wynn: Drums/
BettySoo: vox
And featured on Big Top: Vol 1 & 2 -
Lloyd Maines: Pedal Steel/
Dony Wynn: All things percussive/
Manny Yanes: Bass/
Kullen Fuchs: Keys, accordion, trumpet, autoharp, etc, etc/
Richard Bowden: Fiddle/
BettySoo: Backing vocal
Influences
"...Like the ringmaster at the circus, Lutes separates the different performances on the two-disc Big Top allowing each to take a moment in the spotlight...Moving from haunting (the opener "Lucia's Song") to roots rock ("Love in the Hard Times"), Lutes meticulously weaves melodies together...[while] the second volume can be equated to the lion-tamer act. It's flashy and dangerous, with room for the occasional flare of the unexpected. Diving head-first through syncopated pop ("Ginny On Fire" and "We Love Me") before landing into the net of "Fine Line," Lutes' voice is continuously smooth like an amalgamation of Lindsey Buckingham and Lyle Lovett..."
"You always hear talk of how artists are a mixture of different styles, but with Lutes, that’s actually true. The first disc features the familiar twang of Texas country, but mixes in dissonant electric guitar, traditional hymn-like vocal melodies and some powerful pop hooks. These two CDs are a perfect recipe for a lazy summer day, a lazy rainy day or pretty much any time you’ve got an hour and a half to lounge around the house and listen to some great music. These gems, the music that actually makes it worth your time to listen to all these free discs, are what keeps me going. Hopefully you’ll feel the same."
"There are two very well defined musical experiences that cause me to weep: John Lennon singing "Imagine" and Warren Zevon singing "Knocking on Heaven’s Door." Those tears are shed as much for the sense of loss of musical giants too-soon-taken, as for the beauty of the performances. I am now, however, prepared to add a third musical event that moves me to mistiness: Plumtucker’s David Lutes singing anything. The pristine beauty of David’s voice sends me away, and the tears spring not from the melancholy of losing what was, but from the joy of celebrating what is...
Americana fans, step up to the plate on this one. Solo Stages presents Americana with slight jazz overtones, ethereal but earthbound lyrics enhanced by elegant melodies. And that voice, David’s voice. Listen to the record and shed a tear for the beauty of what is."
-Steve Circeo, excerpt from the March issue of The Texas Music Times. Click HERE for the full review
"A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist, Lutes dons his musical persona and cranks out masterful creations. Lutes has a commanding mastery of his voice and truly uses it as an instrument on this thirteen cut gem. (11 plus Prologue and Epilogue) This album is an epic production, defying genre lines at every turn and giving the listener a feel-good comfort throughout the 51-minute runtime. Plumtucker is indeed an elevated talent. Sitting a notch above the droves of singer/songwriters who want but never act, Lutes has redefined the brass ring. Plumtucker will be a great show to see, whether you catch the solo version or the multi-instrumental ensemble. A number of excellent musicians make cameo contributions to the album, adding to the Plumtucker experience. Great songs, great album. Get it now!"
-Lucky Boyd, Academy of Texas Music (Texas Music Awards)
DAVID (PLUMTUCKER) FEATURED ON KGSR, KOOP, and KUT RADIO AUSTIN, 90.5FM. TO LISTEN TO THE LIVE PERFORMANCES ON KUT, CLICK HERE
B I G T O P AND L I G H T N I N G W H E E L S Available instore at Waterloo Records and Lightning Wheels available for preview and purchase ONLINE atWATERLOO RECORDS,on Apple ITunes, mytexasmusic.com, and on CDBaby.com!!!
David Lutes is a musician. At the age of 4, he started performing melodies on the piano that he’d heard peripherally in the background. By adulthood, he was accomplished on the guitar, mandolin, bass and drums. With these natural gifts and poetic sensibilities, there was no question as to whether or not he would play and write music. Despite that, he tried a professional career (as a lawyer, no less), but music returned as his element of exposure or, in his words, a way of processing the world. For David Lutes, the range of human emotions, experiences and regrets are served in song.
David’s music translates as an antibody that seems to negate poisons in the atmosphere. His newest double EP release, Big Top Vol. 1 & 2, communicates newfound peace after the birth of his first child, a daughter named Ruby. Central to its message is hope, and the record exudes this guiding sentiment to listeners. Have you listened to “You Belong (In Pearls Tonight),” track 3 on Vol. 1? Or even Vol. 2 standout “Stay Awhile”? These songs stand in such stark contrast to melancholic tunes that it’s hard to imagine a world without personal cheer, calm, and clarity.
Born and raised in Dallas, TX, David spent his earliest years listening and playing music alongside a family of songsters and aficionados. If you have heard any music penned by Lutes, you would correctly expect that his parents raised him on 60’s-70’s folk-rock, jazz, and R&B. He was familiar with all the great last names before he turned 10, including Simon, Wilson, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Davis and Coltrane, Redding, and Wonder. However, equal in importance to his style is Texas. The roots of Texas music are strong and deep, and living a childhood underneath so much sky tends to give music a soaring sonic quality. The instrumentation on Big Top emphasizes that heady atmosphere, stacked with David’s own sense of endless inspiration.
The first mention of David Lutes in the music scene began with “Plumtucker,” his musical alter-ego and the original name for his band. Meant as a moniker to umbrella all of the talented players on his two previous records and in live performances, David has often toured internationally under the name. Plumtucker also serves as reference to his exhaustive spirit in songwriting- never allowing rest when he had a spark of insight.
Another question may be asked of the recordings: why the choice for double EP’s? This option is more and more common as artists extend their musical tastes, sometimes overlapping genres. For Lutes, the two predominant genres on Big Top are Americana and pop. Vol. 1 contains elements of Lutes’ Americana-roots background, clearly displayed on “Love in the Hard Times.” Vol. 2 exercises his interest in pop music, where experimentation is expected, and is modeled best by “Rooftop.”
Big Top features ample opportunities for listener captivation, as each individual song is wholly memorable. Standouts such as “Fine Line” and “The Wheel” are wistfully crafted in gossamer, lighter than air. Steady syncopations lead “Ginny On Fire,” “Be Reasonable,” and “We Love Me,” while “Lucia’s Song” is a genuine spring of color-rich lyrics. The production value on Big Top Vol. 1 & 2 heightens David’s other talent: his fine ear for opulent melodies. Indicative of his talents, David has recently been nominated for “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Song of the Year” at the 2009 Texas Music Awards. Since an early age, Lutes has been a musician. Where it was once a peripheral need, it is now a defining purpose.
David will be touring throughout 09 in support of Big Top, featuring a return to Europe in the fall, where he has previously been featured on BBC Radio, Juice Radio, and Radio Reverb.
It was great to see you! I Absolutely love your music! You have an awesome voice. :) Must run in the family. ;) Just kidding I can't sing the least bit. :) I try though so it counts. ;) I suppose I'll talk to you really soon! See ya!
SPAMED! Can you ever forgive me? If so, please vote for me!
I am in Round Two of The TRCoA Unsigned Artist Competition. Help me get to Round Three by clicking my face and voting for me!
If I’m in the top 4 I get to play a showcase for record executives and could win 100 free hours in the studio.
If I were selected, it would really help me rock some faces off, please take a second and vote.
Thanks!
-Ted Hadji
Good to hear from you! How's Ruby? I see you're going to England soon! Boy, I miss that! Things here are good....32 weeks prego now. Only 8 weeks to go! I'm so ready to meet this little one. Hope all is well!!
May I borrow some of YourSpace to promote MyCdRelease?
The all new, all original CRUELTY arrives Tuesday, July 29, and I'll celebrate with a show at Austin's legendary Cactus Cafe. It's free, aside from the $15 you'll certainly want to spend on the CD. Raina Rose opens at 8:30 pm, then Southpaw Jones performs in his finest suit, and nothing will ever be the same.
Thurs. June 12 / Belmont Hotel / Dallas, TX Fri. June 13 / Bend Studio / Dallas, TX Sat. June 14 / Hill Country Galleria / Austin, TX Sun. June 15 / Bend Studio / Houston, TX
I saw you play at The French Legation Museum in March with a really hunky English guy... When's he coming back? I bet Austin just isn't the same without him...
