Anthony Walker

On This City Won’t Sleep – funded by fans through a Kickstarter.com campaign - Walker flexes his songwriting chops as well as the muscle of his impressive backing band, which includes lead guitarist Tommy Strazza (a local headliner in his own right) and talented young keyboardist Matt Wade. When Walker released the vibrant, catchy “The Movie Universe” as a single a while ago, it looked like this new album might take a more straight-ahead rock approach, but most of “This City Won’t Sleep” has a rootsy quality. “Once And For All” emphasizes the western in country-western, with its twangy guitars and barrelhouse piano. Walker’s folkie roots (and panache for clever lyrics) come to the fore on the acoustic-driven “Call Me Custer.” The winsome peel of pedal steel sets the tone for the elegiac “Forget The Railroad,” while Strazza’s searing lead guitar and a throbbing, funky bass line steal the spotlight on “Sundowners.” And “Darlene” ranks as one of the best ballads Walker’s ever written; he should sell it to Scotty McCreery after the wannabe American Idol finishes his run this season, it’d be a monster country hit. - JerseyBeat.com

Walker sings in a high tenor that is an excellent rock instrument. Many of the songs here do in fact rock out, and it’s a great sound. But for me, the quieter songs are the standout tracks. That’s because they focus your attention more on the lyrics, and Walker is a great storyteller. Forget the Railroad seems to be set in the here and now, but Walker provides a line of flashback here and there, and pretty soon the listener can fill in the history of a relationship. Probably, no two listeners would tell it quite the same way, but all of the essential details are here. Walker gives all the clues, and he makes you want to fill in the details. That’s a pretty good definition of fine songwriting. - Oliver Di Place

Listening to Anthony Walker brings back memories of this past summer and my trip to Woodstock, New York. My introduction to Dylan's famed "pink house" still reverberating echoes of those famed basement tapes recorded right there with The Band so long, long ago. Simple acoustic arrangements and harmonica drenched stories, traditional and lean in their making, and so huge in their magical contributions to the music we listen to today.

Walker is a songwriter from that same time-honored tradition. He has been compared to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy and other individuals that focus on the homespun song. Relying on his acoustic guitar and harmonica, there is no backing band for what he does. Basic and up-front, Walker delivers folk-styled blues, country, R&B, and other iconic American music forms in a way that only deep personal study can provide.

His voice is distinct. Although he does remind me of a young James Taylor at times, his style is ultimately his own and at the age of 21 he has already started his journey of becoming one of New Jersey's most talented solo artists around. Anthony is currently working on his first solo album, which is due out sometime in 2007.

I listened to his most recent selection of tunes and was impressed with the depth and stark soundscapes on such excellent songs as "Darlene," with its quiet but urgent James Taylor vibe, and the Neil Young backwoods smoke on "The Year of the Flood." There's the Dylan-esque wails of "Born To Crawl," and the outstanding "Lucky Numbers" with dripping strains of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy.

This is a player to watch. Quiet and composed, he does his thing with contemporary style and an eye on the past masters. One of a handful that carries on in the traditional mode of folk and blues, he is poised to take that genre to his own gritty level.

Anthony Walker has been nominated for an award at the upcoming Asbury Music Awards on Nov. 11. Show up and support him. For further information on upcoming shows and his new record, check him out at anthony-walker.com

-Jon Pfieffer - The Aquarian/East Coast Rocker

Walker and The Medicine Chest manage to control several compositional styles and still retain the original essence of his folk beginnings, and that ability has paid off in the form of packed rooms and pillaged CD racks throughout New Jersey. - John Pfeffier - The Aquarian

"When Strangers Say Hello" is a cohesive effort reminding listeners why folk-rock can be an amazing musical experience. If more musicians embraced their inner Walker, the world would be a more expressive and meaningful place. - Caroline Russomanno - The Signal

Walker croons with a wounded swagger that, backed by the band's bittersweet ebb and sunny, hook-laden flow, calls to mind the Golden State country-fused rock of Parsons' Flying Burrito Brothers and the Byrds, Poco and, most noticeably, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. - Steve Bove - Asbury Park Press

“When strangers say hello” is an excellent introduction to this young, gifted singer-songwriter. I am sure it will be a while before Anthony Walker’s next album, but I am already looking forward to hearing how his music continues to grow. - Lazlo, Blow Up Radio

Anthony’s debut full-length, When Strangers Say Hello, takes confident strides into adulthood, fusing his abundant boy-next-door charm and acoustic guitar with well-crafted full-band arrangements. - Jim Testa, Jersey Beat

"Poised to take his genre to his own gritty level" - John Pfeiffer - The Aquarian

"..an intelligent, introspective singer/songwriter" - Encore Magazine

"Walker has embraced the folk rock genre while melding timeless tradition to suit the modern world. Delve into his music and you will discover poignant music wrought with heartfelt sincerity." - Joseph Hannan, The Signal
- Various Sources

Walker Summons Folk Legends On Debut
Written by Joseph Hannan
August 29, 2007

From the seemingly time-faded photographs that decorate his MySpace page, to the harmonious resonance of his finger-picked acoustic guitar, nearly everything about Anthony Walker's music can be attributed to the past. After a quick listen, one would assume that Walker's recordings could be easily found pressed between copies of Bob Dylan or Neil Young LPs at any vintage vinyl store.

Walker has embraced the folk rock genre while melding timeless tradition to suit the modern world. Delve into his music and you will discover poignant music wrought with heartfelt sincerity.

The Signal: Your music has a distinct vintage appeal to it and it seems that you draw inspiration primarily from 60s folk acts. What acts in particular have inspired you to create music?

Anthony Walker: I do draw a lot of inspiration from the music of the '60s and '70s. It was a great time for music, and if it wasn't, people wouldn't still be listening to it ... There were fewer regulations back then, and I think artists, in general, felt a little less pressure on having immediate success so their music was more honest and lasting.

The people that inspire me are the people that are making honest music outside of any restrictions. Growing up, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles, Hendrix, The Stones and all those classics all made me want to pick the guitar up. Then once I did I fell in love with the blues. I'd play along with Muddy Waters albums. Then I started listening to a lot of folk-based music. I've kind of gone through this chronologically backwards progression, but it's cumulative.



S: What got you into song writing? When did you start?

AW: Growing up, I was immersed in music. My father was always in bands and they would be practicing in the basement and I'd be sitting on the steps, taking it all in, kind of amazed of how it all came together.

Also, going to church as a little kid. The church we went to had live gospel music with a whole band playing right next to me. I can remember being 3 years old, sitting there with a toy guitar in church and playing along with the band.I thought I was part of it. I wasn't there for any kind of message; I was there to jam.

I started to write songs a few years ago. I already knew my way around the guitar a bit, so it just came as an extension of my playing.

S: Your songs convey an endearing image of home-grown music. What is your creative process?

AW: My creative process is to kind of not have one. Writing songs is something that just happens to me ... It's almost as if you're a big antennae that's waiting to get hit by a signal. Not to say that I don't get inspired by something or that my songs are completely non-topical, but my inspiration is more subliminal.

Some writers have a very different method. They're trying to get to the chorus before the track gets to the 30-second mark or they're working with a formula and slaving over a hook or bridge. I don't really get too caught up in that kind of thing. I think it's obvious if someone listens to my music.

S: The folk rock genre is particularly expressive. What makes it so appealing to you?

AW: The songs are minimalistic, but at the same time, they can be unbelievably complex. That's one of the things that first drew me into playing folk music. It's organic and pure and just feels important to me. It's something that's been around a lot longer than me, and while I don't consider myself a folk musician, there is a folk component to what I do.

S: In what direction are you taking your up-and-coming full length debut, "When Strangers Say Hello"?

AW: "When Strangers Say Hello," is a very unplanned record. A lot of bands spend a lot of time mapping a record out before they record, and that was never my approach. I didn't really see a good reason why I should have a different approach in the studio.

What it comes down to is that I play music, and regardless of whether the microphone is going to a P.A. system or it's going on tape, I'm playing it more or less the same way.

I'm hoping that when this record comes out it's an honest depiction of what I can do live, because at the end of the day I'm really a live performer. There's not going to be a whole lot of bells and whistles; it's just the songs the way that I hear them in my head ... I think people are going to hear that and I think they're going to recognize it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The interview could not be printed in its entirety in the publication however, the following is a transcription of the whole article:

Please describe for me your musical upbringing and background. What got you into song writing? When did you start writing songs? How long have you been performing them?

Growing up, I was immersed in music as far back a - The Signal

Walker Summons Folk Legends On Debut
Written by Joseph Hannan
August 29, 2007

From the seemingly time-faded photographs that decorate his MySpace page, to the harmonious resonance of his finger-picked acoustic guitar, nearly everything about Anthony Walker's music can be attributed to the past. After a quick listen, one would assume that Walker's recordings could be easily found pressed between copies of Bob Dylan or Neil Young LPs at any vintage vinyl store.

Walker has embraced the folk rock genre while melding timeless tradition to suit the modern world. Delve into his music and you will discover poignant music wrought with heartfelt sincerity.

The Signal: Your music has a distinct vintage appeal to it and it seems that you draw inspiration primarily from 60s folk acts. What acts in particular have inspired you to create music?

Anthony Walker: I do draw a lot of inspiration from the music of the '60s and '70s. It was a great time for music, and if it wasn't, people wouldn't still be listening to it ... There were fewer regulations back then, and I think artists, in general, felt a little less pressure on having immediate success so their music was more honest and lasting.

The people that inspire me are the people that are making honest music outside of any restrictions. Growing up, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles, Hendrix, The Stones and all those classics all made me want to pick the guitar up. Then once I did I fell in love with the blues. I'd play along with Muddy Waters albums. Then I started listening to a lot of folk-based music. I've kind of gone through this chronologically backwards progression, but it's cumulative.



S: What got you into song writing? When did you start?

AW: Growing up, I was immersed in music. My father was always in bands and they would be practicing in the basement and I'd be sitting on the steps, taking it all in, kind of amazed of how it all came together.

Also, going to church as a little kid. The church we went to had live gospel music with a whole band playing right next to me. I can remember being 3 years old, sitting there with a toy guitar in church and playing along with the band.I thought I was part of it. I wasn't there for any kind of message; I was there to jam.

I started to write songs a few years ago. I already knew my way around the guitar a bit, so it just came as an extension of my playing.

S: Your songs convey an endearing image of home-grown music. What is your creative process?

AW: My creative process is to kind of not have one. Writing songs is something that just happens to me ... It's almost as if you're a big antennae that's waiting to get hit by a signal. Not to say that I don't get inspired by something or that my songs are completely non-topical, but my inspiration is more subliminal.

Some writers have a very different method. They're trying to get to the chorus before the track gets to the 30-second mark or they're working with a formula and slaving over a hook or bridge. I don't really get too caught up in that kind of thing. I think it's obvious if someone listens to my music.

S: The folk rock genre is particularly expressive. What makes it so appealing to you?

AW: The songs are minimalistic, but at the same time, they can be unbelievably complex. That's one of the things that first drew me into playing folk music. It's organic and pure and just feels important to me. It's something that's been around a lot longer than me, and while I don't consider myself a folk musician, there is a folk component to what I do.

S: In what direction are you taking your up-and-coming full length debut, "When Strangers Say Hello"?

AW: "When Strangers Say Hello," is a very unplanned record. A lot of bands spend a lot of time mapping a record out before they record, and that was never my approach. I didn't really see a good reason why I should have a different approach in the studio.

What it comes down to is that I play music, and regardless of whether the microphone is going to a P.A. system or it's going on tape, I'm playing it more or less the same way.

I'm hoping that when this record comes out it's an honest depiction of what I can do live, because at the end of the day I'm really a live performer. There's not going to be a whole lot of bells and whistles; it's just the songs the way that I hear them in my head ... I think people are going to hear that and I think they're going to recognize it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The interview could not be printed in its entirety in the publication however, the following is a transcription of the whole article:

Please describe for me your musical upbringing and background. What got you into song writing? When did you start writing songs? How long have you been performing them?

Growing up, I was immersed in music as far back a - The Signal