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Behind most celebrated performers in music is the unrecognized, brilliant talent of the many supporting musicians, songwriters and producers. New York City alt-country/indie-rock sideman Tony Scherr is known for all three, depending on which popular artist asked from a variety of alternative genres.
He has played guitar on Norah Jones and Ani DiFranco albums, written songs for indie-rock queen Feist and recorded a solo project by Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett.
Alt-country fans have probably seen him perform live with Willie Nelson, but never knew it. And jazz lovers recognize him for his bass playing with big names like Bill Frisell and Sexmob.
Now, Scherr is stealing the limelight by touring in support of his second release, “Twist in the Wind,” on Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley’s label, Smells Like Records. He performed last night at Rumba Café on Summit Street, with Columbus violinist Megan Palmer, who was also on the bill.
“To make the decision to actually invest in myself and give my own music its due … feels really good,” he said.
During live sets, Scherr is known for not only improvising his guitar solos, but the actual melody of his songs, giving his audience a unique performance. According to a review from The New York Times “Singer-songwriters usually don’t treat their babies this way.”
“It’s all about capturing a moment and a version of something that hopefully has some life in it,” he said.
Scherr takes this same attitude into the studio. He recorded “Twist in the Wind” on an eight-track analog tape in his Brooklyn studio apartment, where he has recorded and appeared on records of many other artists in a thriving, tight-knit music community. Mostly completed in one take, the songs are noted for exemplifying his spontaneously-captivating songcraft.
His songs are catchy, but lyrically depict a personal path of overcoming loneliness and finding hope. Although mostly an in-demand bass player, both of his solo albums provide evidence he is a hell of a guitar player too, with solos reflecting his country and blues influences and chords showcasing his jazz knowledge.
Despite focusing on his solo songwriting and touring, Scherr said he is not after stardom and is content with constantly performing, recording and writing with artists he considers friends who, like himself, are “lifers.”
“I made a transition several years ago from taking any work I could get to only playing music I love with people who I really play with,” he said. “Some people write songs and that’s all they do, but I have this whole other life that is very rewarding.”
Michelle Mocnik can be reached at [email protected].
