Folk/pop investigations,spare acoustic landscapes, texturally rythmic gargage rock.

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
"...The gorgeous melodies and sharp wit on the band's four songs ought to be more than enough to leave fans of the Postal Service and Soul Coughing dazzled."

Andy Langer
Esquire Magazine, July 2006


Born in Australia, raised in Minnesota, Chris Kowanko moved to NYC where he began publishing his songwriting skills in collaboration with Erik Ehn on offbeat musicals produced by The Manhattan Class Company. It was at this theatre where he met the actor and future drummer for Monsterbuck, Scott Renderer. Renderer introduced Kowanko to then unknown producer Steve Fisk (Nirvana, Soul Coughing, Low). Kowanko and Fisk recorded "Air Mail", a demo that attracted the attention of legendary Patty Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye, who would go on to produce "Kowanko", Chris's first solo release on a major label- the now defunct Morgan Creek.

Kowanko's sophomore release, "Spell", reignited his former collaboration with producer Steve Fisk.

Although independantly released, "Spell" would go on to rank in CMJs top 100 for radio airplay in the fall of 2001.

A prolific songwriter, but reticent star, Kowanko disappeared for several years before resurfacing in Upper Jay, NY. After a decade with internationally renowned Wooster Group Theatre Company, Monsterbuck drummer Scott Renderer settled there and persuaded his brother, Byron, a journeyman bass player, to join him in "The Land of Makebelieve". Kowanko enlisted the brothers to back him up on some new songs he was writing and before long they formed the band MONSTERBUCK and started recording in a barn behind Scott's house.

Produced by Chris Kowanko and the band, and mixed in Seattle by Steve Fisk, the new release titled "Land of Makebelievers" is the next chapter in Chris Kowanko's folk/pop investigations, with songs ranging from spare acoustic landscapes to texturally rythmic garage rock.