[Cover photo credit to Jason Thrasher]
David Lowery has been writing songs for 40+ years for the bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven. The chief singer/songwriter and frontman from the aforementioned bands is now taking a much different approach to his songwriting and is for the first time turning purely autobiographical.
On his upcoming 28-song solo album, Fathers, Sons and Brothers, Lowery lets his memory traverse some of his earliest memories as a child in an English seaside town (“Frozen Sea”). Throughout the length of the album, he chronologically takes us through his youth, attending a Spanish bullfight with his family, and carries on through his coming-of-age period in California as well as a humorous tale of landing in Disneyland jail.
The album further delves into the ups and downs of his music careers with both groups, meeting his future ex-wife, and details friends, family, children, divorce and more. The cumulative effect of the album is to present a full portrait of the artist, just like a well-crafted autobiography.
David Lowery explains:
“Over the years, many have encouraged me to write an autobiography. However, it never really appealed to me. Partly because it seemed like I would have to learn an entirely new skill set, but mostly because there is a standard arc to all successful “rock” autobiographies: a tough childhood, a deep passion for music, many obstacles to overcome, relentless striving, and finally, against all odds, success. And that’s not my story.
While I have a deep passion for music, I never really struggled. I grew up in a two-parent home. My parents stayed together their whole lives. We didn’t have much, but we never wanted for anything. My father was a career military man but was a sweet and gentle soul. My parents always supported my musical career. The first album I recorded was immediately played on the BBC and later MTV. Within 18 months of releasing the first Camper Van Beethoven album, we were playing arenas with REM. The first song Cracker recorded was immediately in heavy rotation on MTV. And so on. Honestly, I feel like I’ve lived a charmed life.
So, in lieu of an uninteresting written autobiography I’ve made this record. I do this not so much to tell my own story but to pay tribute to my mother, father, sisters, extended family, friends, and those who have shared their lives with me. I wanted to sing the songs of the unsung, celebrate friends and family, make amends, and apologize where necessary. It took me nearly 5 years to make this recording and I’m a little sad the process is over. Although much of this I recorded alone during the pandemic I had an amazing set of virtual collaborators spread across 5 time zones and three continents. I couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you, Jim, Leith, Mark, Bryan, Lisa, Jeremy, Luke, Carlton, Thayer, Megan, Pistol, Velena and Bob. Also, thanks to Drew Vandenberg and Jason Nesmith for piecing this all together and making it sound good.”
CRACKER 2025 TOUR DATES:
Wednesday, March 5 – Saturday, March 8 – Cracker CAMP-IN #11 @ 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Ike Reilly, The Hackensaw Boys, Jim Dalton, Abe Partridge & others)
Thursday, March 13 – MadLife Stage & Studios, Woodstock, GA
Friday, March 14 – MadLife Stage & Studios, Woodstock, GA
Saturday, June 7 – Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (with Big Head Todd and Cheap Trick)
CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN TELEPHONE FREE LANDSLIDE VICTORY 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOWS:
Saturday, April 26 – Camper Van Beethoven – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, April 27 – Camper Van Beethoven – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
[additional David Lowery solo shows to be announced soon]
