steffan may

'Forget Yer Face' album description with author comments:

‘Forget Yer Face’ gets its foundation from the country, bluegrass, and folk traditions of the late 1960s/early 1970s, blended by the likes of Gram Parsons, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Grateful Dead amongst others.  Acoustic and electric instruments were being combined in new ways that brought innovation and experimentation to the American musical traditions that were being marginalized by the Nashville establishment.  This intersection of the previously segregated genres of country and rock broke down musical and social barriers and turned on new audiences to American roots music.  With the same goals and methods in mind, ‘Forget Yer Face’ continues to push forward, drawing in a diverse set of its own influences from indie rock to jazz.  With a foothold in traditional bluegrass and country, it takes a bold step out into uncharted waters.  From compositions that might resemble the unorthodox chord changes of Brian Wilson to lyrical themes that delve into the philosophical depths, this ain't your grandma's country or bluegrass album.  Divided into two 40 minute LPs titled ‘Forget Yer Face’ (part A) and 'Cosmic American Heritage' (part B), both crammed onto one CD, FYF hopes to create a true album experience greater than the sum of its parts.  Songwriting and musicianship are the emphasis.  These are complemented by a production style that keeps the focus on the natural tones of acoustic and electric instruments that sound the way that nature intended: stripped down and free from over-manipulation.

I hope you enjoy this labor of love that attempts to combine the best of what traditional and modern music have to offer.  Descriptions are one thing, but ultimately, the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the music.  If you enjoy it, tell your friends, and burn this disc.  If you don't enjoy it, remember that CDs make great coasters.  Thanks for listening!  

- S. May 

TRACK LIST

Part A:  Forget Yer Face

1. Nightcrawler
2. The Tune Unfamiliar
3. Dichotomy
4. I Knew
5. NTLTT
6. E. Rose
7. (Just To Be) In the Crowd
8. Landmine of Mine
9. Before Long
10. One Chance (It’s Yer Turn)

Part B:  Cosmic American Heritage

11. Onward and Upward
12. Towin That Line
13. (Aren’t You) Grateful (?)
14. Turned Away
15. Wear It Like a Hat
16. Do Them In
17. Braver Than Yer Thinkin
18. Red Bird (Lookin For a Sign)
19. Instrumental (Stir That Squirrel Gravy)
20. The Message (Part 2)

all music, lyrics, and sounds written, performed,

and recorded by steffan may,

except: “e. rose” written by jerry ater 

mixing: ken may (special thanks), steffan may, chris cunningham

produced and mastered by: chris cunningham,

basecamp recording, http://basecamprecording.com 

In the late 1960s, Ralph Stanley and Johnny Cash performed together on the same stage for an impromptu concert in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The sound they made was unprecedented and so amazing that they never played together again for fear that they or their audience might spontaneously explode.  Willie Nelson and Gillian Welch happened to be in the audience that night.  The atmosphere was so charged, that when their eyes locked from across the room, the glance alone was enough to conceive a love child who was born, fully formed, after only three days of gestation. As could be expected, this child was a natural talent for music, and could pick a banjo, play guitar, and sing harmonies with himself, all at the same time by the age of two months.  Although little is known about this child who was never named, it was rumored that a conversation in a West Texas Saloon with Gram Parsons was what convinced Parsons to focus his talents on the country sound that would influence countless musicians from the Rolling Stones to Uncle Tupelo.  Due to his disillusionment with the music industry, the child retreated to a remote region of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina.  He spent his days in a mountain monastery, learning to sing harmonies in the “monkey style” which drew influences from The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, and the Shaolin Monks of Tibet.  Eventually, the child decided to leave his life of seclusion to attend a Neil Young concert on the “Tonight’s the Night” tour.  At the end of the show, tragedy struck when Young smashed his guitar, and a large splinter flew into the audience, piercing the child in the heart, cutting his young life short.  Although he was only five years old, it was estimated that he had lived ten thousand years in that time.  The child was never thought of again until 2013 when his body was exhumed to verify the merits of a life insurance claim.  Amazingly, his casket was devoid of any contents except for a vinyl copy of ‘Forget Yer Face.’