Burlap To Cashmere, the pioneering high-octane folk-rock outfit responsible for the ground-breaking debut album Anybody Out There? and ferocious live performances, has returned from a near-decade-long hiatus to a near-unanimous chorus of praise for its July 19 self-titled release, BURLAP TO CASHMERE.
The new project, which releases from Jive/Essential, has been spotlighted in multiple high-profile outlets, not only for the compelling nature of the band’s recent story, but also for the sheer excellence of the music itself.
American Songwriter magazine leapt early into the fray, calling BURLAP TO CASHMERE
“one of the best records of 2011,” calling out specifically the talents of frontman/songwriter
Steven Delopoulos.
“Brian Wilson, Chris Whitley, Ray LaMontagne – they’re all likely to be mentioned by other pundits in describing the work of this one guy who is just being himself, a guy who should someday be listed as an influence of others,” reads the magazine’s four-star (out of five) review. “If this band stays together, and Delopoulos is allowed to grow and not become a victim of the corporate machine, he could go down as music’s first truly great writer of this century.”
A mid-May show preview in The Tennessean noted the success of similar outfits like Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes during the band’s hiatus, but postulated, “Burlap To Cashmere looks to reclaim that turf in top form, with an inspired blend of Mediterranean rhythms, rootsy textures and tight-knit harmonies, which lend the unmistakable air of folk-rock greats Simon & Garfunkel and Cat Stevens.”
An Associated Press feature, picked up by outlets including USA Today, ABC News, Boston Globe, Huffington Post, MSN Entertainment, Pollstar, Today (MSNBC) and Yahoo! News focused on the tragic, road rage-fueled attack on guitarist John Philippidis in 2005 that left him in a month-long coma. The incident spurred a musical reunion between cousins Delopoulos and Philippidis as the latter struggled to recover physically and spiritually.
“Eventually, Delopoulos began testing out a few song ideas in front of Philippidis, and the album track ‘Orchestrated Love Song’ took shape,” wrote Nashville-based correspondent Caitlin R. King. “‘Picked up a guitar, and I think we wrote the opening lick to that song, which was like not complex, but it made me feel like, “OK, wait, I can still do this. My hands are still moving,” said Philippidis.’”
Christianity Today also gave BURLAP TO CASHMERE four-out-of-five stars saying, “Some bands never reclaim the bracing vitality of youth captured in their first recordings. Too often “mature” becomes synonymous with “stale.” But Burlap To Cashmere has managed to gracefully age without losing any of its vigor. It was worth the wait.”
HM Magazine points out, “They’re expert musicians who aren’t afraid to do some honest soul-searching, and their self-titled album is going to really shock you. You have not heard folk-rock like this in decades.”
Bert Saraco of The Phantom Tollbooth contends “Burlap To Cashmere is indeed back, contributing a welcome diversion from the all-too-generic sounds of the pop mainstream: intelligent, well-written, well performed songs for the discerning, thoughtful listener. Covering a variety of life-issues in the lyrics, there’s a poetry to Delopoulos words that elevates the songs beyond the typical banality of contemporary pop. It's good to have the boys from Brooklyn in action again.”
Critics aren’t the only ones enthused about Burlap To Cashmere’s return. “Jars of Clay used to share the stage quite often with Burlap to Cashmere in our early days,” writes Jars keyboardist Charlie Lowell. “We always knew we had to be at our very best, because they had such a dynamic and musical performance.
“It is truly a blast to see (and hear!) them release a new record,” Lowell continues.. “The record is beautiful- musically fresh and melodic, yet simple and timeless altogether. There is already great anticipation for the new Burlap record, and we are encouraging old fans and music lovers to support this amazing band.”
With its core lineup intact – singer/guitarist/songwriter Steven Delopoulos, guitarist John Philippidis, and drummer Theodore Pagano – Burlap To Cashmere returns with renewed focus, drive and energy. On its first album in more than a decade, Burlap To Cashmere draws from all the influences that made it a touchstone band: Mediterranean and Greek rhythms, flamenco and classic American folk, to create a rich body of work that embraces the past while crystallizing its new creative vision.
In 2010, Burlap To Cashmere headed into the studio with acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits) to begin work on new material. His rules were simple: “There would be no nudging and no Auto-Tuning. We’re going into this to capture everything that’s organic about the band.”
Recalling the musical intimacy of Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, coupled with Delopoulos’ introspective and poetic songwriting, the album announces Burlap To Cashmere’s triumphant return in a record that will surprise longtime enthusiasts and intrigue the uninitiated. Fans of modern troubadour outfits like the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons will find common ground with Burlap To Cashmere’s output, with the added textures of the Greek and Mediterranean influences further fleshing out the band’s unique take on 21st century folk-rock music.
Folk-rock pioneers Burlap To Cashmere, reenergized and making music again after a decade-long hiatus, has partnered with WhyHunger (the brainchild of the late Harry Chapin), a leader in building the global movement to end hunger and poverty, for a series of initiatives aimed at eliminating hunger in America.
Growing up in New Jersey, Burlap To Cashmere frontman Steven Delopoulos had many musical and social inspirations, not the least of which being Chapin, the man behind not only classic tunes like “Cat’s In The Cradle” but also a longtime advocate for the homeless and hungry.
“I grew up listening to Harry’s music; he’s the reason I started writing songs,” shares Delopoulos. “When we launched into conversations about this record, we wanted to be intentional about everything. Naturally, that spilled over into the areas of how we’d use our platform for advocacy. There really wasn’t any question. It had to be WhyHunger.”
Chapin’s drive to end hunger led him to help create World Hunger Year in 1975. His unprecedented commitment set him apart from other musicians. In order to help build up the organization, Harry donated funds from every other concert performance until his passing in an automobile accident
in 1981.
Since then, and under the guidance of co-founder/executive director Bill Ayers, World Hunger Year has morphed into WhyHunger and launched programs such as the National Hunger Hotline
(1-866-3-HUNGRY); the Grassroots Action Network; and Artists Against Hunger & Poverty, which is supported by Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Joss Stone, Darryl McDaniels, Jackson Browne, O.A.R., and now, Burlap To Cashmere.
“From my first conversation with Steven, I knew Burlap To Cashmere would be a great fit for our artist program,” share’s WhyHunger’s Hillary Zuckerberg , Director of Artists Against Hunger & Poverty. “This band, and Steven in particular, has a passion for eliminating hunger worldwide and we’re proud to align with them in our ongoing efforts on national and grassroots levels.”
WhyHunger will have a presence at upcoming Burlap To Cashmere shows, and the band will take part in a number of online and social media campaigns designed to raise awareness for the organization. Additionally, Delopoulos and bandmates John Philippidis (guitar) and Theodore Pagano (drums) will visit various grassroots partners of WhyHunger not only to lend a hand, but to continue to grasp the challenge of hunger facing too many American citizens.
Burlap To Cashmere’s new self-titled album, featuring the single “Build A Wall” (now at AAA radio) will release July 19, three days after the 30th anniversary of Harry Chapin’s death.
Stepping back into the spotlight after a decade away takes an unusually high degree of musical integrity. For folk-rock pioneer Burlap to Cashmere, a band that built a reputation for both exceptional studio projects and as an unyielding touring act in the late ‘90s, that integrity shines through on a new self-titled, 11-track project due July 19 on Jive/Essential Records.
Its initial single “ Build A Wall” goes for adds at AAA radio on June 26 while early fan and industry buzz reflecting acclaim for the band’s refined new sound, is building.
The Tennessean took note in a recent spotlight (5/13/11): “Brooklyn’s Burlap to Cashmere took its modern folk-rock to the masses in 1998 with its major-label debut, Anybody Out There? – and followed up that Dove Award-winning effort with a nearly decade-long hiatus. In the time the band has been away, a similar blend of worldly folk has made stars out of acts such as Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes. With its new self-titled album – set for a July 19 release on Jive/Essential Records – Burlap to Cashmere looks to reclaim that turf in top form, with an inspired blend of Mediterranean rhythms, rootsy textures and tight-knit harmonies, which lend the unmistakable air of folk-rock greats Simon & Garfunkel and Cat Stevens.”
With its core lineup intact – singer/guitarist/songwriter Steven Delopoulos, guitarist John Philippidis, and drummer Theodore Pagano — Burlap to Cashmere returns with renewed focus, drive and energy. “There’s something about family and people you’ve known forever that makes the chemistry happen,” Delopoulos says. “There’s a sense of honesty and trust. That’s Burlap
to Cashmere.”
On its first album in more than a decade, Burlap to Cashmere draws from all the influences that made it a touchstone band: Mediterranean and Greek rhythms, flamenco and classic American folk, to create a rich body of work that embraces the past while crystallizing its new creative vision.
For the last ten years, a Burlap to Cashmere reunion seemed like wishful thinking. After garnering awards, a dedicated following, and credentials earned non-stop touring alongside some of the biggest names in music, the band was exhausted and went on an indefinite hiatus.
In 2005, tragedy struck when guitarist John Philippidis was beaten and left for dead after a road rage incident near his home in Brooklyn. An extended hospital visit, which included a full month in a coma and radical facial reconstructive surgery, ultimately sparked a band reunion.
In 2010, Burlap to Cashmere headed into the studio with acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits) to begin work on new material. His rules were simple: “There would be no nudging and no Auto-Tuning. We’re going into this to capture everything that’s organic about the band.”
“For me, Burlap to Cashmere is a classic band in the best sense of the word. From the great songwriting and singing, to the deep and accomplished musicianship, they are absolutely a distinctive band,” shares Froom. “This is particularly apparent in the songs that incorporate their unique approach to traditional Greek rhythms. All you have to do is listen once to ‘Don't Forget To Write’, and it's abundantly clear - you've never heard anything quite like it. We also set out to make a record that put musical feeling and performance at a premium - live singing and playing, no click tracks, etc. Developing this kind of hybrid sound in the studio was a big challenge for everyone involved, but ultimately, what else do you hope for?"
Recalling the musical intimacy of Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, coupled with Delopoulos’ introspective and poetic songwriting, the album announces Burlap to Cashmere’s triumphant return in a record that will surprise longtime fans and intrigue the uninitiated.
Fans of modern troubadour outfits like the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons will find common ground with Burlap To Cashmere’s output, with the added textures of the Greek and Mediterranean influences further fleshing out the band’s unique take on 21st century folk-rock music.
Burlap to Cashmere recently unveiled its new body of work to a sold-out crowd at New York’s “Le Poisson Rouge." As part of a promotional tour leading up to the July 19 album launch, the band is making media, retail and radio visits including the 2011 Pandora Radio Summit (May 4) in New York City and a performance May 15 in Nashville as part of the Lightning 100 live concert series “Nashville Sunday Night” which broadcasts live from the legendary 3rd & Lindsley. The band returns to New York for a May 25 show at Rockwood Music Hall’s “Stage 2” followed by a West Coast run that includes two nights at Hollywood’s Hotel Café.
For more information, including updated tour dates and venues, please visit: www.burlaptocashmere.com
