Chris Altmann Bio
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Altmann releases his 3rd solo album, Renaissance Man, on 19 February through Ridin’ High Records. Written between trips to Nashville and recorded in his century-old home in Canada, this low-fi colleciton of pedal steel driven rock n’ roll reflects on change, personal loss, and moving on.
Though the album features a lot of pedal steel guitar, it’s not a country album. “It was a way for me to showcase my steel playing, which wasn’t a focus on the last two albums”, says Altmann. “Lyrically, ‘I’m Not Concerned’ is the most traditional country song. It’s that ‘I’m going to destroy myself because you don’t love me anymore’ kind of self pity.”
From the Little Richard inspired title track, to the Nick Cave influenced lyrics of “When I Lay My Hammer Down”, Renaissance Man is in its essence a rock n’ roll record. “I had been listening to a lot of Ray Charles and his phrasing and vocal delivery inspired ‘Honeymoon Stage’,” says Altmann.
A Nashville songwriting residency in 2013 resulted in “Good Morning Mr. Coffee”, and “Believe Me”, a song co-written with Emma Swift. The gospel soul feel in “Darkness and Light” captures the melancholic sentiment of the album, urging those with good feelings to “share them around” and “find a place where we can feel alright”. “It’s about finding a comfortable place to exist, where you’re not a total wreck but it’s not exactly the best of places. A numbness,” explains Altmann.
Originally from the Adelaide Hills, Altmann now resides in Canada. Along his journey he has embraced many musical styles; from his country-rock tinged group The Drowners, to the more modern pop/rock sound of The Vandas, and on to a solo career steeped in early 1970s Americana. He’s also in demand as a session player, appearing on dozens of roots recordings, and performing with many artists including Henry Wagons, Tim Hicks, and Suzannah Espie.
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Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Altmann releases his 3rd solo album, Renaissance Man, on 19 February through Ridin’ High Records. Written between trips to Nashville and recorded in his century-old home in Canada, this low-fi colleciton of pedal steel driven rock n’ roll reflects on change, personal loss, and moving on.
Though the album features a lot of pedal steel guitar, it’s not a country album. “It was a way for me to showcase my steel playing, which wasn’t a focus on the last two albums”, says Altmann. “Lyrically, ‘I’m Not Concerned’ is the most traditional country song. It’s that ‘I’m going to destroy myself because you don’t love me anymore’ kind of self pity.”
From the Little Richard inspired title track, to the Nick Cave influenced lyrics of “When I Lay My Hammer Down”, Renaissance Man is in its essence a rock n’ roll record. “I had been listening to a lot of Ray Charles and his phrasing and vocal delivery inspired ‘Honeymoon Stage’,” says Altmann.
A Nashville songwriting residency in 2013 resulted in “Good Morning Mr. Coffee”, and “Believe Me”, a song co-written with Emma Swift. The gospel soul feel in “Darkness and Light” captures the melancholic sentiment of the album, urging those with good feelings to “share them around” and “find a place where we can feel alright”. “It’s about finding a comfortable place to exist, where you’re not a total wreck but it’s not exactly the best of places. A numbness,” explains Altmann.
Originally from the Adelaide Hills, Altmann now resides in Canada. Along his journey he has embraced many musical styles; from his country-rock tinged group The Drowners, to the more modern pop/rock sound of The Vandas, and on to a solo career steeped in early 1970s Americana. He’s also in demand as a session player, appearing on dozens of roots recordings, and performing with many artists including Henry Wagons, Tim Hicks, and Suzannah Espie.
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