“Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night”: Songs, Stories, Nostalgia, and Laughter Merge in New Americana Release
About the Record
“Home” is the running theme on “Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night,” the third release from central California coast songwriter Michael Gaither. Backed by full, yet sparse band arrangements (percussion and stand-up bass, one lead instrument per song), this new story collection picks up where Michael’s previous records left off, using stories to reflect on modern life in a small American town.
There’s an “embracing the past while facing the present” slant on this project. Michael mixes nostalgia (the tile track) with funny observations on aging to stories ranging in topics from moonshine, to an orphaned coyote, to the true story of a young girl with a disdain for modern technology. While country/blues rhythms back up most of the songs, there are also three waltzes on this record: Waltzes When She Runs” is an ode to a horse named Zara. “Good Souls” mourns friends taken too soon. “Don’t Let Us Get Sick” is a Warren Zevon cover with fingerpicked guitar and accordion.
Quotes
“A brilliant and unique contribution to the field of Folk/Americana. It means something extra special to those of us on the oft-neglected left coast. “Starlite…” contains several gems, including the dog/wolf story “Charlie and Chloe” which made me cry. This is an album that shifts back and forth in time from the very contemporary “She’s More Connected” to the nostalgic title track. It grows with every repeated listening and does not have a bad track. Buy it and wear it out.”(David Stafford, KKUP Radio, Cupertino CA)
“Michael Gaither does it again. Evocative lyrics, humor, heart-tugging, and stellar musicianship make ‘Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night’ a tasty treat. Now I want a taco.”(Natalie Davis, Grateful Dread Radio)
Tracklist
1. She’s My Superpower (4:14)
2. Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night (4:04)
3. Tell Me Where It Hurts (4:41)
4. Waltzes When She Runs (4:00)
5. Still a Small Town to Me (3:13)
6. Charlie and Chloe (2:44)
7. She’s More Connected (3:22)
8. Whiskey Hill (3:03)
9. Good Souls (4:09)
10. Now It’s a Taqueria (4:23)
11. Don’t Let Us Get Sick (2:50)
About the players
* Michael Gaither – acoustic guitar and vocals (all tracks), harmonica (tracks 2, 6, and 10)
* Brynn Albanese – violin (tracks 4, 8)
* Aaron Bagchee – electric guitar (tracks 3, 5)
* Dayan Kai – percussion (all tracks), keys (tracks 1, 5, 6, 7, 11), nylon-string guitar and additional vocals on track 10
* Breanna Eddy – harmony vocal (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
* Steve Kritzer – mandolin (tracks 1, 7, 9)
* Steve Uccello – stand-up bass (all tracks)
About the Songs
All songs written by Michael Gaither except “She’s More Connected,” by Michael Gaither and Steve Kritzer. “Don’t Let Us Get Sick” written by Warren Zevon.
About Michael Gaither
Like his song “Jack of All Trades” says, California native Michael Gaither has done a little of everything: journalist, corporate trainer, even a stint as a joke writer for Jay Leno. (A long time ago. Back when Jay Leno was funny.) A storyteller as much as a songwriter, Michael takes the “write what you know” idea to heart, wrapping his music around tales of small-town America with humorous takes on day-to-day life. His web site at www.michaelgaither.com includes the stories behind many of his songs as well as all episodes of his “Songs and Stories” podcast, which features interviews with other songwriters.
Contact info / Interview requests
To contact Michael for interviews, station ids, or a review copy of “Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night”, email him at
michael@michaelgaither.com
or call 831-588-9354
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