Chris Laterzo
Los Angeles, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
Laterzo demonstrates why many have hailed this LA-based singer-songwriter as a worthy figure in the lineage that includes Gram Parsons and Neil Young. Sometimes offering up churning guitar anthems, other times crafting ballads that sound like campfire classics, Laterzo is first and foremost a gifted melodist with an ear for hooks that sink in more deeply with each listen. ‘WaterKing’ is a winner from start to finish. Perhaps best of all, in an era of rampant cynicism, Laterzo’s songs unfold with a yearning spirit and life-affirming optimism.
- Performing Songwriter
- Performing Songwriter
This singer-songwriter knows his roots, and has put together an engaging collection of American folk-rock. ‘American River’ is the essence of a rustic album, and Triple A fans may find a new hero. - Music Connection
It’s not often that one gets a chance to discover a hidden treasure. Laterzo has maintained the passion for his work that made his debut both instantly listenable and likeable, but the complexity of his arrangements and vocal range have increased almost exponentially during that period as well. Laterzo has an undeniable alt-country flavor that adds an element of warmth to his expansive songs that’s more than welcome. Trying to make it as a musician in a dog-eat-dog city like Los Angeles where any semblance of soul is hard to come by is no easy task. But somehow, Laterzo has kept his eyes forward, his head up and his remarkable songwriting skill honed to a diamond-sharp edge. And he’s got enough of his own soul to light L.A. for at least three days. - Albuquerque Alibi
Discography
Juniper and Pinon
Driftwood
WaterKing
American River
Photos
Bio
Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Chris Laterzo has recorded a solid catalogue of acclaimed albums since arriving in California. Laterzo is an artist whose music evokes the open road and restless spirit, and whose style can be described as folk-rock, alt-country- even American cowboy rock.
'Juniper and Pinon is the fourth and latest album by Chris Laterzo. Co-produced by Laterzo and Jeff LeGore, 'Juniper and Pinon' is a sonic landscape of nine Laterzo compositions and an alt-country version of Elton Johns Holiday Inn. The album features Laterzo with his band Buffalo Robe. Basic tracks for the album were recorded at Sonora Studio in Glendale, California with overdubs being recorded in a variety of locations. The acoustic numbers and many of the vocal and instrument tracks were recorded both in a suite at the Joshua Tree Inn and a casita we rented for several days in Joshua Tree. The high desert offered an ideal setting for making the bulk of this record. Laterzo said.
Performing Songwriter Magazine calls Chris Laterzo first and foremost a gifted melodist with an ear for hooks that sink in more deeply with each listen, and over the last number of years Laterzo has spent a good deal of time touring both the Southwest and Europe where he continues to earn a number of devoted fans.
In 1997, Chris released his debut album American River. Co-produced by Laterzo and Denny Weston, Jr., the L.A. Music Connection called it an engaging collection of American folk rock, and the essence of a rustic album. After two years of playing the local scene and touring throughout California and the Southwest, Chris garnered solid album reviews, as well as airplay on both NPR and small market stations.
For his 2nd album WaterKing, Laterzo teamed up again with producer Denny Weston along with producer Ty Stevens. The core band for this album included notable talents such as Tad Wadhams (Sheryl Crow) on bass, Hank Linderman (America, Timothy B. Schmitt) on electric guitar, and Buck Johnson (Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins) on organ. Released in late 2000, WaterKings eleven original songs weave among the boundaries of rock, folk, and alternative country. WaterKing is a natural follow-up to American River, and its songs continued to reveal an artist devoted to melodic arrangements and placing the song center stage.
Chris has been a featured artist on ASCAPs Quiet on the Set and the musical guest on the number one national television talk show in The Netherlands Barend en van Dorp. Laterzo has had songs placed in rotation on several airlines such as Lufthansa and Continental, and recently had his song Welcome to California included in the film 50 Yard Line.
The fall of 2004 brought the release of Driftwood, Chris 3rd album. In realizing Driftwood, Laterzo opted to take on full production and engineering responsibilities. Chris admits that in recording Driftwood, the end result is that I achieved exactly what I had envisioned- an album that has a homegrown and live-in-the studio band vibe. I specifically kept the instrumentation simple (drums, bass, guitars, piano, pedal steel) and strictly ruled out layering guitar tracks and the use of all the bells and whistles.
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