Maxi-Minimal Punk-Prog

Songs for My Friends to Sing, Volume 3

Now Streaming on Bandcamp

Track 3 from Volume 3... "Hazel" plays like a drug song, and I guess that's a cogent interpretation. When I wrote it, I was--like we all were--spending a lot (a LOT) of time alone. I walk a lot. I have a few overlooks I love. And--again like a lot of of us, I think--I was battling a bit of depression. For me, it's a song about not wanting to be in my own head.

Kris Schramm, who runs K-Robin guitars and is my Nile Singers bandmate, has this gorgeous, thick-as-honey voice, and Brendan and I tried to put his performance out front, while also layering all sorts of crap around and behind... anxiety and release.

I love George Kastrinos's organ and (especially) piano parts. The guitar is mostly Robert Kulik, including the lovely solo. Simon Bjarning did the drums as always, along with the xylophone and glockenspiel loops. The rest, as they say, is the fault of the author.

Songs for My Friends to Sing, Volume 2

Now Streaming on Bandcamp

Volume 2 of Adam Wilcox's project features Meghan Kehrer (of Meghan Koch and the Gentleman Callers), Alan Murphy (of The Mighty High & Dry), and Babak Elahi (of Resonant Freqs) on lead vocals for the three songs. Throughout the project, some of the Rochester area's best singers take turns with Wilcox's songs. Meghan takes on "Yesterday's News," a lullaby for adult children. Her backing band, the Gentleman Callers, provide the oohs and aaahs. Alan Murphy spits out the slightly creepy "Cradle," and Babak Elahi gives us the satirical "Welcome to the Monkey House."

The entire project has been produced in quarantine, all tracking done by folks at home. Drummer Simon Bjarning and producer Brendan Simms are constants. Guitarist/singer Robert Kulik and keyboardist/singer George Kastrinos (both from Prog Gnostic) are on many tracks. Linda Hayward is the artist for all the cover images.

Songs for My Friends to Sing will be released over the course of 2021 in three-song volumes. Stay tuned. Future volumes will include vocals by Anders Alfelt, Chuck Scott, Lucinda Monder, Ignatius Marino, and Kris Schramm; horns by Tony Kadleck; guitar by Derek Sapienza and Josh Pincus; and more.

"Fireside" EP by Tripsovercliff Now Streaming!

Check it out! Kyle Williams, aka Tripsovercliff just release his "Fireside" EP. Written, recorded, and produced almost entirely by Kyle during the lockdown, the five songs combine electronica with alt rock guitar and richly layered harmonies into utterly compelling, emotional tunes. Check out the lead single, Awaken:

Songs for My Friends to Sing, Volume 1

Now Streaming

Songs for My Friends to Sing, Volume 1 cover

This is the crew who worked with me (Adam Wilcox) on Songs for My Friends to Sing, Volume 1, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming services. Very proud of what we've done together.

Volume 1 features Kyle Williams (upper left), Brendan Simms (lower right, with COVID beard), and Mel Muscarella (she's the girl... lol) on lead vocals for the three songs. Mike Muscarella was kind enough to rock the geetar on Mel's tune.

Songs for My Friends to Sing will be released over the course of 2021 in three-song volumes. All original tunes by me, each with a different lead singer.

The entire project has been produced in quarantine, all tracking done by folks at home. Simon Bjarning (lower left), who plays all the drums, has been incredible. Same for guitarist/singer Robert Kulik (top right) and keyboardist/singer George Kastrinos (at the bottom, though this is not a metaphor). Brendan, in addition to singing lead on one of the songs, has produced all of this, wrestling my insanity to the ground.

Stay tuned. Future volumes will include vocals by Babak Elahi, Meghan Kehrer, Anders Alfelt, Chuck Scott, Lucinda Monder, Alan Murphy, Ignatius Marino, and Kris Schramm; horns by Tony Kadleck; guitar by Derek Sapienza, Kim Draheim, and Josh Pincus; and more.

- adam