Entertainment
DENI GAUTHIER'S
Quiet Town
Making music has been central to Deni Gauthier’s steadfast pursuit of living life fully and true to himself. He writes lyrics which, though spare, contain ample doses of reflection, humanity, struggle, longing, joy … life. And from whispered to plaintive high notes, his voice wraps perfectly around the music he creates. Deni set out to write songs for a second album almost two years ago, and what he came up with was nice—very nice. With nine thoughtful songs (plus a cover), some beautifully crafted music and Deni’s very listenable voice, he could have taken that pre-production mix, added musical “frosting” with some easy-going production and served it up with pride. Instead he found a way to bake it up in layers, spread with fillings of tart, sweet, textured, bright, unusual … In so doing he transformed Quiet Town from nice to noteworthy.
Deni hooked up with respected producer Andre Wahl who, “As opposed to telling me how much he loved
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it, was the first to tell me what he actually thought of my music, no sugar-coating.” He and Andre brought together a handful of talented musicians in an old brick schoolhouse and they went to work. Inside the schoolhouse, with its moods, special sound and “century of mojo”, and sometimes outside in the crisp winter air, there was a month of collaborative push, pull and stretch. What they came up with is an album which is layered, interesting and full of life. There’s something in every song to hold your attention and keep it into the next, from the more thought-provoking or reflective ones like “Into the West” and “I See You” to a couple more simple but still enjoyable songs—the lovely “Hold My hand” (wedding dance song for the summer of 2014?) and the final “Gospel”. If you are not in the mood for quietly meditative gratitude, “Gospel” would be a good one to crank up when you are feeling thankful. “Na na nahhh”—thanks Deni!
RELISH ELGIN SPRING 2014