Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes represent a generation that has been profoundly influenced by a wide variety of musicians from both a bygone era and today. “We are music freaks first and musicians second” says Shafter. “Everyone in this band is a fan of good music regardless of what style the music claims. Influences from Woody Guthrie to Stone Temple Pilots to The Grateful Dead will show up in our sets. We didn’t sign up for this to play the same song over and over. You are free to call us unfocused or naive. We are undoubtedly both. This isn’t some Glenn Miller story where we are on some deranged search for our sound. It’s either there or it’s not and that is for the listener to decide.”
Hello, after an unfortunate hiatus, the reasons for which are probably best not gone into here, we finally have some new music on the AUK MySpace site. For your listening pleasure this month we offer Nathan Oliver, Conrad Ford, the irrepressible Todd Snider and the delightful Beccy Owen. Don't forget too, for those of you within striking distance of Leicester, Electric Dustbowl 2 on 19 September.
I just wanted to let you know that I picked up your album off iTunes a little while back. Why I waited so long I'll never know. I listen to ya'll all the time... one of the few albums I can listen to from start to finish. Tall Tale, Lately, Velcro Shoes... so many great lines, such great music!
