Local 80's favorites "Art In America" are back in the studio in Los Angeles, laying down tracks for their first full length release in a couple of decades! Original members Chris Flynn, Shishonee Flynn and Dan Flynn are back laying down tracks with Uber-Producer David Henschel. If you remember the 80's music scene in Detroit, then you will recall that Art In America provided a melodic, progressive presence with sophisticated, yet accessible songwriting and hummable melodies, in contrast to the more "punkish" elements then dominating the local clubs. Though they only released one album, it remains close to the hearts of listeners who like smart pop. "Art In America" also featured a harp in the forefront of their sound, played by Shishonee Flynn.
The band is going to be shopping the finished product of this collaboration to various labels, but their is talk of a "Kickstarter" campaign. (Kickstarter is a website where you can contribute money to help your favorite bands or artists record, usually in exchange for perks from said artist, like deluxe versions of the supported release, or t-shirts or "meet n greets", a cool concept as the major labels head the way of Studebaker and Circuit City). Watch this space for further news!
A little more info on AIA's original release and the band! The Art in America CD, was re-released by Renaissance Records on May 15 2008. The CD has been beautifully re-mastered by Renaissance and includes 7 bonus songs, including 2 "live-in-concert" tracks. The Art in America album was produced by former Emerson, Lake & Palmer and YES kingpin Eddy Offord, and progressive music lovers who haven't heard this material, should waste no time in slapping it into their CD player. This is dreamy, yet gripping, music that commands attention for both it's philosophically probing lyrics and entrancing instrumental arrangements. An assist from The Dixie Dregs nimble-fingered keyboardist, T. Lavitz and guitarist extraordinare, Steve Morse lends further embellishments to our album, while the Roger Dean-like jacket illustration by Ioannis should instantly remind consumers of Offord's masterpieces with YES.
Art in America was the first rock band to feature a string harpist playing a full Lyon & Healy pedal string harp. AIA garnered considerable airplay and MTV video play when the album was released. AIA then toured in support of the album, headlining and opening for bands such as: U2, Split Enz, Roxy Music, Bill Bruford, Captain Beefheart, King Crimson and Steve Hackett. The title song "Art in America" is still heard on various free FM stations as well as Sirus and XM satellite radio Station: Musiclab. A 1983 concert, originally recorded by King Biscuit Flower Hour, can be currently streamed for free at Wolfgang's Vault.com. The influential LP cover artwork painted by Ioannis, was featured in the book "1000 Record Covers" by Michael Ochs, published by Taschen.
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