John Auerbach, rock guitarist, singer and songwriter, celebrates the completion of his second CD on Saturday, April 28 at the Common Man in Ashland.
The CD, “Siren Call,” features Auerbach and a backup band, which consists of electric guitarist Bob Britt, drummer and percussionist Angelo Collura, electric bassist David Santos and vocalist Pam McCann.
Auerbach has long studied music; however, he only seriously dived into it full time in 2002. “One day I just did it,” he said. Auerbach and the members of his band have recorded with musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Billy Joel, and John Fogerty.
“I’m a conspirator. I write songs to stoke my wanderlust and also to hijack the listener for the ride. The title, ‘Siren Call,’ describes the new music’s force and, in the end, its strong pull on me. Fathoming the soul of these songs was navigating them to ever-deeper water, so as not to be lured onto shallows, rocks and shoals,” Auerbach said, on his website, Jonathanauerbach.com.
“Siren Call” features all-original music, and although it was recorded at Grotto Studio in Nashville, TN, Auerbach spends a lot of time in New Hampshire at his vacation home in Franconia, and has a full tour scheduled for 2007 to 2008.
“I am very proud of this record,” Auerbach said. A review in JAM Magazine said, “Roots rock music needs several things to make it work. It starts with strong rock rhythms presented in their raw state – unadulterated by too much electronic gimmickry. Like any good rock music, it needs musical and vocal hooks that catch the ear and the mind. Finally, the lyrics have to, at least, give the impression that you should think about them – either because they are telling a story or because they have something semi-profound to say. Jonathan Auerbach’s new album, Launch, meets all of the criteria.”
Auerbach is not only focused on his music. He is a member of the Leadership Council at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and has raised $19,000 for this Institute as well as the Jimmy Fund. A portion of all the money Auerbach generates through his music is donated to these causes.
Be sure to check out Auerbach at the Common Man in Ashland on Saturday, April 28, and for more information about his music or fundraising, visit Jonathanauerbach.com.