Greg Connors
Encyclopedia
Greg Connors is a contemporary singer-songwriter
from New York
. He is friends with singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur
who produced and contributed backing vocals and other instrumentation on Greg's 2006 solo album Here, There and Anymore
which was released on the Scared
label.
In the early '90s, Connors relocated to Atlanta, Georgia
, and met Joseph Arthur
who worked as a guitar salesman at Clark Music Store. Joseph frequented the burrito restaurant Greg worked at on Peachtree Street
, and the two struck up a friendship, both being burgeoning singer/songwriters. Greg played in a two piece band called Front Street
with percussionist Will Fratesi, playing local clubs in and around Atlanta.
Drummer and studio recordist David Watkins
was a co-worker of Greg's at the mid-town Atlanta burrito joint. In 1995 he persuaded Greg to come into his home studio with his band Front Street
to record. They recorded tracks directly to 8-track reel to reel the songs that would eventually become the studio album Talkin' Dirty, released in a limited run in 1999 by Scared Records
.
Within the next few years Front Street
broke up, and Greg Connors continued recording solo work, documenting his evolving compositions at David Watkins
' home studios as well as Joseph Arthur
's. These recordings would later be compiled to form the album Wide Awake Drunk
, also released by Scared Records
in 2000.
Connors was friends with many notable Atlanta musicians during this time, and recorded a duet with Benjamin Smoke
entitled Independence Day which was released as a bonus track on Greg's first CD, Fluke EP.
In 1999 Connors formed the band The Curb with Mark Perkins on bass, and Andrew Brown on drums. They played extensively around Atlanta, and recorded the album Invisible Tape
in 2000, also another Scared Records
release.
Autumn 2003 saw him meet back up with Joseph Arthur
at Joseph's Three Rock Studio in Brooklyn
. They commenced to recording some of Connors's older and brand new songs, with Joseph producing. Connors provided the lead vocals and guitar, and Joseph contributed backing vocals and played guitar, bass, pedal steel, violin, synthesizer, drum programming, and percussion. The finished album was titled Here, There and Anymore
and was released on Scared Records in 2006.
Connors continues to play live throughout the southeast, and also in Pennsylvania
and New York
, having played on several occasions with Joseph Arthur
at Pete's Candy Store
in Brooklyn
.
Recently, Connors recorded his fifth studio album, Full Moon Flashlight
which features guest appearances by Bill Taft
on cornet, Stan Satin on backing vocals, various instruments and David Watkins
on drums (both who play in Vietnam (band)
. Stan and David also recorded and produced the album, the latest release on Scared Records
.
submitted the following review to a major music magazine:
“I first met Greg Connors years ago living in Atlanta. He worked at my favorite burrito joint and I ate there five days a week, as it was near the guitar shop I worked at and you could eat enough to make you sick for less than five bucks. After months of seeing each other, our conversations evolved beyond the realm of which kind of salsa and how much guacamole into more interesting topics, like women, speed, and the Velvet Underground.
A friendship was formed and soon we became each others support and inspiration. Years doing what years do, I hadn’t seen or heard from Greg in a while until last year, when I got a cassette in the mail with typically illegible chicken scrawl that I recognized at once as the markings from my long-lost pal. I invited him to my place in Brooklyn
and made it my mission to record him in a fashion which people could understand.
Greg Connors is a great songwriter: a writer of words which find the silent space in between emotion, the typically indescribable places where you’re left on your own to dance with the shadows. Also, he’s just really very funny, like on the song “Amasakist”, where the chorus goes: “I’m a masochist / To me every day is a good one.” But usually his lines are denser, like bulletin boards full of post-it notes where you wrote emotions you forgot to feel: “Now and these days / I’m trying to hold up / my own head myself / Without the incriminating way / I think you feel / Being my puppeteer, from “Anymore”, or “Rusted colander under thoughts / Mingling somewhere between us”, from “She’s Talented.”
The other striking thing about Greg is the way these often obscure lines are delivered with a natural ease, equal parts dry wit and emotion. They devastate with a smile but never is he joking. “We’re on our way / And disappearing / The contrast gave in to regards”, from “Regards.” Its often heart-breaking stuff sung from a voice that’s been dragging behind you for years, rolling over pavement, stone and regret: “You’re pushing again / For that final start / Isn’t it a lot like / Changing lightbulbs in the dark.”
.
The Block are:
and sometimes
He often plays a diatonic harmonica with the aid of a holder.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is friends with singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
who produced and contributed backing vocals and other instrumentation on Greg's 2006 solo album Here, There and Anymore
Here, There and Anymore
Here, There and Anymore is the third full-length album by Greg Connors, released on April 24, 2006. It was his first major release on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records...
which was released on the Scared
Scared Records
Scared Records is an independent American record label founded in Atlanta in 1999, notable for re-releasing some "lost" Atlanta artists, especially from the punk and post punk era....
label.
Musical history
Greg Connors began writing and playing music in his early teens, acquiring his first guitar at the age of twelve.In the early '90s, Connors relocated to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, and met Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
who worked as a guitar salesman at Clark Music Store. Joseph frequented the burrito restaurant Greg worked at on Peachtree Street
Peachtree Street
Peachtree Street is the main street of Atlanta. The city grew up around the street, and many of its historical and municipal buildings are or were located along it...
, and the two struck up a friendship, both being burgeoning singer/songwriters. Greg played in a two piece band called Front Street
Front Street
Front Street is the name of several streets:* Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street...
with percussionist Will Fratesi, playing local clubs in and around Atlanta.
Drummer and studio recordist David Watkins
David Watkins
David Watkins may refer to:*David Watkins , Member of the Australian House of Representatives 1901–1935...
was a co-worker of Greg's at the mid-town Atlanta burrito joint. In 1995 he persuaded Greg to come into his home studio with his band Front Street
Front Street
Front Street is the name of several streets:* Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street...
to record. They recorded tracks directly to 8-track reel to reel the songs that would eventually become the studio album Talkin' Dirty, released in a limited run in 1999 by Scared Records
Scared Records
Scared Records is an independent American record label founded in Atlanta in 1999, notable for re-releasing some "lost" Atlanta artists, especially from the punk and post punk era....
.
Within the next few years Front Street
Front Street
Front Street is the name of several streets:* Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street...
broke up, and Greg Connors continued recording solo work, documenting his evolving compositions at David Watkins
David Watkins
David Watkins may refer to:*David Watkins , Member of the Australian House of Representatives 1901–1935...
' home studios as well as Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
's. These recordings would later be compiled to form the album Wide Awake Drunk
Wide Awake Drunk
Wide Awake Drunk is the first full-length album by Greg Connors, released in November 2000 on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records. It features songs recorded in 1996-1997 in four different sessions. Four of the songs were recorded by cohort Joseph Arthur at his home studio in Brooklyn...
, also released by Scared Records
Scared Records
Scared Records is an independent American record label founded in Atlanta in 1999, notable for re-releasing some "lost" Atlanta artists, especially from the punk and post punk era....
in 2000.
Connors was friends with many notable Atlanta musicians during this time, and recorded a duet with Benjamin Smoke
Benjamin Smoke
Benjamin Smoke was a musician who fronted the Atlanta, Georgia band Smoke. He was noted for being a radical, gay rock 'n' roll performer. He died on January 29, 1999 due to liver failure caused by Hepatitis C at age 39. He performed his final concert in Atlanta, Georgia on New Year's Eve, 1998...
entitled Independence Day which was released as a bonus track on Greg's first CD, Fluke EP.
In 1999 Connors formed the band The Curb with Mark Perkins on bass, and Andrew Brown on drums. They played extensively around Atlanta, and recorded the album Invisible Tape
Invisible Tape
Invisible Tape is the second full-length album by Greg Connors, released on August 25, 2000 on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records. It features Greg's band at the time, The Curb, which included Mark Perkins on bass and Andrew Brown on drums...
in 2000, also another Scared Records
Scared Records
Scared Records is an independent American record label founded in Atlanta in 1999, notable for re-releasing some "lost" Atlanta artists, especially from the punk and post punk era....
release.
Autumn 2003 saw him meet back up with Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
at Joseph's Three Rock Studio in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. They commenced to recording some of Connors's older and brand new songs, with Joseph producing. Connors provided the lead vocals and guitar, and Joseph contributed backing vocals and played guitar, bass, pedal steel, violin, synthesizer, drum programming, and percussion. The finished album was titled Here, There and Anymore
Here, There and Anymore
Here, There and Anymore is the third full-length album by Greg Connors, released on April 24, 2006. It was his first major release on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records...
and was released on Scared Records in 2006.
Connors continues to play live throughout the southeast, and also in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, having played on several occasions with Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
at Pete's Candy Store
Pete's Candy Store
Pete's Candy Store is a New York City performing space, bar and club located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. It is located at 709 Lorimer St, between Frost St and Richardson St. Well-known acts associated with the venue include Lizzie West, The Reverend Vince Anderson and Will Oldham. ...
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.
Recently, Connors recorded his fifth studio album, Full Moon Flashlight
Full Moon Flashlight
Full Moon Flashlight is the fourth full-length album by Greg Connors, released on April 25, 2009. It is his second release on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records....
which features guest appearances by Bill Taft
Bill Taft
Bill Taft is an American rock musician living in Atlanta, Georgia.-Biography:In 1982, Taft moved from Ohio to Atlanta to attend Emory University. His first band of note was The Chowder Shouters, whose instruments included garbage cans...
on cornet, Stan Satin on backing vocals, various instruments and David Watkins
David Watkins
David Watkins may refer to:*David Watkins , Member of the Australian House of Representatives 1901–1935...
on drums (both who play in Vietnam (band)
Vietnam (band)
Vietnam is a rock, post-punk, New Wave band from Atlanta, Georgia on Scared Records. Vietnam first appeared at the dawn of a new decade—the 80's, and ushered in a fresh era of music to the Atlanta new wave scene...
. Stan and David also recorded and produced the album, the latest release on Scared Records
Scared Records
Scared Records is an independent American record label founded in Atlanta in 1999, notable for re-releasing some "lost" Atlanta artists, especially from the punk and post punk era....
.
Article written by Joseph Arthur
Joseph ArthurJoseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
submitted the following review to a major music magazine:
“I first met Greg Connors years ago living in Atlanta. He worked at my favorite burrito joint and I ate there five days a week, as it was near the guitar shop I worked at and you could eat enough to make you sick for less than five bucks. After months of seeing each other, our conversations evolved beyond the realm of which kind of salsa and how much guacamole into more interesting topics, like women, speed, and the Velvet Underground.
A friendship was formed and soon we became each others support and inspiration. Years doing what years do, I hadn’t seen or heard from Greg in a while until last year, when I got a cassette in the mail with typically illegible chicken scrawl that I recognized at once as the markings from my long-lost pal. I invited him to my place in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and made it my mission to record him in a fashion which people could understand.
Greg Connors is a great songwriter: a writer of words which find the silent space in between emotion, the typically indescribable places where you’re left on your own to dance with the shadows. Also, he’s just really very funny, like on the song “Amasakist”, where the chorus goes: “I’m a masochist / To me every day is a good one.” But usually his lines are denser, like bulletin boards full of post-it notes where you wrote emotions you forgot to feel: “Now and these days / I’m trying to hold up / my own head myself / Without the incriminating way / I think you feel / Being my puppeteer, from “Anymore”, or “Rusted colander under thoughts / Mingling somewhere between us”, from “She’s Talented.”
The other striking thing about Greg is the way these often obscure lines are delivered with a natural ease, equal parts dry wit and emotion. They devastate with a smile but never is he joking. “We’re on our way / And disappearing / The contrast gave in to regards”, from “Regards.” Its often heart-breaking stuff sung from a voice that’s been dragging behind you for years, rolling over pavement, stone and regret: “You’re pushing again / For that final start / Isn’t it a lot like / Changing lightbulbs in the dark.”
Live performances
Connors's solo live performances incorporate the classic singer/songwriter set-up of acoustic guitar and harmonica. However, beginning in 2007, Connors has incorporated a full band, The BlockThe Block
-Places:231 North Vandeventer Saint Louis MO, 63108.Australia* The Block , the first Aboriginal land handbackUnited States* The Block at Orange, an open-air shopping and entertainment mall located in Southern California...
.
The Block are:
- Greg Connors - vocals, guitar, harmonica
- John Stun - guitar
- David Watkins - drums
- Mark Perkins - bass
and sometimes
- Stan Satin - backing vocals, percussion
Musical instruments
Some of Connors's other guitars include:- Gibson
He often plays a diatonic harmonica with the aid of a holder.
Studio albums
- Talkin' Dirty with Front StreetFront StreetFront Street is the name of several streets:* Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street * Front Street...
(1999) - Fluke EP (1999)
- Wide Awake DrunkWide Awake DrunkWide Awake Drunk is the first full-length album by Greg Connors, released in November 2000 on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records. It features songs recorded in 1996-1997 in four different sessions. Four of the songs were recorded by cohort Joseph Arthur at his home studio in Brooklyn...
(2000) - Invisible TapeInvisible TapeInvisible Tape is the second full-length album by Greg Connors, released on August 25, 2000 on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records. It features Greg's band at the time, The Curb, which included Mark Perkins on bass and Andrew Brown on drums...
with The Curb (2000) - Here, There and AnymoreHere, There and AnymoreHere, There and Anymore is the third full-length album by Greg Connors, released on April 24, 2006. It was his first major release on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records...
with Joseph ArthurJoseph ArthurJoseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
(September 25, 2006) - Full Moon FlashlightFull Moon FlashlightFull Moon Flashlight is the fourth full-length album by Greg Connors, released on April 25, 2009. It is his second release on Atlanta independent record label, Scared Records....
(April 25, 2009)