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Talk to singer-songwriter Gus Black about influences and he'll rattle off a list of scribes ranging from mythologist Joseph Campbell and cult writer John Fante to legendary artists like Neil Young and John Lennon. Ask him about his biggest inspiration, however, and he cites someone whose chosen medium is crayons. "My two-year-old son Angus has completely changed my world," Gus says. "I look at him and he's so real and beautiful. Becoming a parent is the single most important undertaking of my entire life. It's made me look at everything from a new perspective." He shares his personal vision on his immergent Records debut Uncivilized Love, an achingly beautiful album of acoustic-based backdrops, warm, supple vocals and rich, evocative imagery. Co-produced by Gus and Wally Gagel (eels, Old 97's, Folk Implosion) the introspective disc maps a two-year journey through peaks and valleys both personal and professional. Each song represents a stop along the way, as Gus's life and music illuminate one another to stunning effect. He wrestles with unanswerable questions of love ("When You Go"), mourns personal loss ("Catch Your Breath"), searches for faith in trying times ("Violent Rain") and contemplates passing the world on to the next generation ("Dry Kisses"). Gus took his time crafting Uncivilized Love, writing and recording it intermittently over a period of two years. "It was all part of the process of trying to figure out what I want and where I'm going," he says. "There are quite a few songs on the album that are just acoustic guitar and vocal cut live, which I find both fun and the most pure definition of the art form. It lends itself to a raw emotional quality, which is something that really interests me." His wing-spreading can be heard on the thick-grooved, jangled-guitar rocker "City Life," which features guest drummer Joey Waronker (REM, Beck, Elliott Smith), and its spare acoustic reprise "Uncivilized Love." "I love the energy of the former," Gus says. "But the latter's acoustic performance captures the song's original emotional core. I couldn't decide which version to keep, so I included them both." Gus further extends the parameters of the singer-songwriter genre by liquefying the metallic Black Sabbath classic "Paranoid." "It's the first song I learned how to play," he muses. "I remember being 13 years old and sitting in my parents' garage, playing the record repeatedly until I could figure it out on my own. Lyrically, it's pretty dark and paints a mood of desperation and alienation-and there are definitely times when I can relate to those feelings-but I lightened it up a little bit. In the original, Ozzy was finished with his woman 'cause she 'couldn't help him with his mind.' "In my version," he laughs, "I'm kickin' with my woman-and she can help me with my mind." Uncivilized Love is the follow-up to Gus' stunning sophomore disc Word of Mouth Parade. Released in early 1999 and featuring the free-flowing lead single "Laugh I Could Learn To Love," the Almo Sounds album drew nationwide radio play, a growing cult following and critical adoration. Pundits described the disc as classic singer-songwriter fare, comparing it to the likes of Nick Drake, Jim Croce and Cat Stevens. He hit the road in support, but by tour's end Almo had gone belly up, leaving Gus label-less and back at square one. "It wasn't a total shock," he says. " It was a great experience while it lasted, but the relationship had run its course. Faith and the love of creating music taught me to be patient and persevere." Unfettered, he kept writing, recording and gigging while receiving regular college and public radio airplay, championed by Nic Harcourt, host of the influential show "Morning Becomes Eclectic" on KCRW in Los Angeles. Gus also went primetime when his songs were highlighted on hit shows such as "Alias," "Felicity," "Dawson's Creek" and several others. Most impressive is the fact that he made all this happen without the muscle of a manager or record deal. His self-sufficiency eventually led to a European deal with UK-based indie label Wild Abandon, followed by his signing to 5.1 Entertainment's immergent Records. As he nears the release of his first album and tour in four years, Gus says, "I feel incredibly lucky. I've been able to take care of myself and my family through making music and I'm so thankful for that. I love that feeling of playing live and being in the moment and I can't wait to get out there and share that with an audience. There's nothing like it." Track List: 1. Cadillac Tears 2. Dry Kisses 3. When You Go 4. 12345 5. City Life 6. Violent Rain 7. Paranoid 8. Over A Great Wall 9. Catch Your Breath 10. Debut 11. Never Before Our Time 12. Despacio 13. Uncivilized love Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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