"Russell's latest EP, This Is Son Solitaire, is his bold reveal of a post-punk/art-rock sound and persona. An artistic chameleon, WR presents an vibrant trio of songs which set a very high bar for his ever-expansive, increasingly diverse recorded output." - CUTS Music Group
Son Solitaire is singer-songwriter and guitarist, Woody Russell’s, newest project; a “Post-Punk-Alt-Electro-Art-Blues” band. It’s origin story began in late 2020 as a pandemic lockdown recording experiment which served as an intentional disruption of Russell’s own archetype. “The process of writing songs as I was recording them, alone in my home studio, was one of the most freeing creative endeavors that I’ve ever engaged in”, he states. “There were no preconceptions about what I was going to create. The act of simply doing it, bit by bit, led me to a sound which was unencumbered by any creative predisposition. The critical inner voice which interferes with the most honest, artful impulses was kept in check. I didn’t expect to share this stuff with anyone. As such, I was like a child at play; a very healthy creative space to be in.” A three song EP, This Is Son Solitaire, was eventually released late in 2023. In 2024, the EP found its way on to the Official 67th Annual Grammy Ballot for Best Alternative Music Performance alongside one of Russell’s idols; the legendary, multidisciplinary artist, Nick Cave. “It was a personally symbolic moment, a kind of baptism for Son Solitaire, to be named among that list of artists.” Woody Russell has since elevated the project from its solitary studio roots to a live band crafting new music which, not unlike Cave or Bowie, will not be beholden to any singular sonic imprint. Son Solitaire is a purposefully more emphatic expression of Russell’s sophisticated writing; one that ebbs and flows through often dark narratives. The varied aesthetics of the band’s songs spiral out from an intersection of intimate acoustic musings, electro-cinematic atmospheres and angular, fuzzed-out guitar rock. "I could say that Son Solitaire serves as a sort of sonic nexus for those feeling either burdened by - or blessed with – a sense of endless questioning; the poetic skeptics and empaths among us. It’s a sort of catharsis for me, personally. But, perhaps more simply, it’s just thoughtful rock and roll.”
Live, Son Solitaire, the band, works with a diverse sonic palette highlighting Russell’s capabilities as a gifted raconteur ruminating within the jagged twang of his guitar work and the explosive, yet sympathetic, rhythm section of Greg Madianos (bass) and Ethan Herr (drums). Additionally, John Spears (trumpet, sax, keys), rounds out a quartet variation of the band, delivering layers of gentle lyricism or blasts of hard-hitting blue-jazz. Of the new band Russell says, “There will be a lot of new music and performances forthcoming from this group of co-conspirators.”
This Is Son Solitaire was mastered by John Webber (David Bowie, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Echo & the Bunnymen, George Michael and many more) at AIR Studios in London.
VIDEOS
- “Swinging For The Fences” was created by Albanian based animator, Mr. Riddlestone, the film tells the story of a dreamer, across a dimension of unspecified time; it's older self - in a metaphorical letter to one's younger self - instills persistence, determination and courage despite the shadowy figures of Doubt, Failure, Fear, etc., aiming to derail the dreamer's ambitions. It was my great pleasure to work across continents, artist to artist, with Mr. Riddlestone on this complex concept. He achieved something beautiful.
- “Lifeboat” is a collaboration with Senara Studios, a collage style lyric video of vivid, psychedelic imagery.
Released September 29, 2023
Produced by Woody Russell
Recorded 2020 - '21 at Green Shoe Studio, Austin, Texas
Mastered by John Webber at Air Studios, London
