Scott Robert Allen
“The footage is of my father’s side of the family. It’s 8mm footage shot between ’62 and ’63. The Kennedy footage was from just before he was assassinated I believe, and taken on Davison Ave in Detroit in ’63. Because this was all one reel, I just let it play without edits, and what you see is how it ended up.”
Album Artwork for the self-titled debut solo album of Scott Robert Allen created by Jordan Sullivan
Press Quotes:
”From reflective, heartbeat-led symphonic piano ballad (and aptly titled) “Here Comes Our Family” and noisy punk rock blaster “Revisions” to peppily surreal, jazz-inflected popper “New Plans” and New Wave grinder “On Your Wrist is an Open Heart,” Allen explores various genres while keeping his lyrics heartfelt and personal.”
- Big Take Over
“Here Comes Our Family” a spacious, almost-levitating whisper-ballad enriched by minimal pianos and strings, with enough space between each note so as to give the tenderest of intonations a sense of monumental catharsis. It’s the kind of song that slows your pulse and makes your head swim. When it’s done in less than five minutes, you kinda wish it had lasted for eight.”
- Current Magazine
“… this delicate slice of prog-pop, full of string lines and this plaintive piano that marks out the cards and scratches it’s own version of the time on the track. Over the top, Allen draws in the listener as he stretches out beneath the melodic and melancholy of the track, and touches you with it.”
- Backseat Mafia
Biography:
Scott Robert Allen is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & filmmaker who originally attracted attention in the early 2000’s as a member of both Thunderbirds Are Now! and the Red Shirt Brigade, touring the world with Les Savy Fav & others for the better part of a decade before settling down into a quieter lifestyle. Returning as a solo artist after almost two decades, his musical approach has completely changed to reflect his life as a husband, step-father, brother, son, friend and musician in the 21st century. Each song zeroes in on a different aspect of life, weaving both the broad strokes and minute details together into soft anthems that defy genre but tug on heartstrings relentlessly. The depth, relatability and honesty of SRA’s lyrics mixed with the lush sonic atmospheres he creates both by himself and with collaborators invite listeners into phantasmagoric reflections on life and love.
“After Thunderbirds, I became pretty jaded with the whole idea of making music. I found new life in video production and eventually became a husband and stepfather,” Allen relates. “Family is what I’m most passionate about, and in the case of writing new music, it’s [interwoven] lyrically into these songs.”
“The people that played on this are mostly old friends of the past musical run-ins and endeavors,” he recalls. “Collaborating with people I like as people came to mind as I thought about these songs and what might be a good fit for the song. I’d like to thank all the musicians who were involved with this endeavor.”
Scott Robert Allen was written, recorded, performed, and produced by Allen and mastered by Ryan Weber (The Promise Ring, Eric & Magill, Camden). It includes contributions from a variety of collaborators, from his wife, Heather Sager Allen, who co-wrote some lyrics and offered backing vocals along with step-son Sebastian Willard, to songwriters and musicians who are celebrated in their own right.
Allen’s comrades include Fred Thomas (Saturday Looks Good To Me), Ryan Allen (Thunderbirds Are Now!, Extra Arms, Friendly Foes), Eric Osterman (Eric & Magill and Camden), Arun Bali (Saves The Day), Scott Masson (OFFICE, Glossies, The Juliets), Chris Hatfield (Love Axe), Trevor Naud (Zoos of Berlin, Red Shirt Brigade), and Lauren Mercury Roberts.
“The music is different from what people may have known of me in the past. It was an experiment. I let whatever was happening in the song come out and be whatever it has now become. I didn’t want to be held to any genre, but collectively I think these songs work together.”
”Scott Robert Allen has been making music for more than 20 years, but he’s still not an old man yet, (don’t let those slightly doctored press photos fool you). But, it could be said that he has led a long music life. But something’s changed for this songwriter — there isn’t a response to any self-imposed pressure and no clinging to any expectations of fame or glory — that isn’t even an issue that enters his thoughts at this point.
“I’m not trying to be somebody else,” he said. “Not to say that I ever wasn’t myself before…. But I’m letting things be, and whatever comes out — comes out. I’m okay with that. I have to be okay with that.”
Check out these songs on Bandcamp: each has its own cinematic quality — like a tiny, contained soundtrack — each fits a variety of moods for any given day.”
- Jeff Milo / Current Magazine
Scott Robert Allen artwork by Jordan Sullivan