Charlie Degenhart began making music in his hometown of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, solo and with backing bands, digging in and developing the genesis of his post-Americana sound and attitude before moving to Nashville in the early 2000s. Since then, Degenhart has been a mainstay of the "other side" of the Music City scene, working with stellar producers such as Shawn Byrne, Cliff Goldmacher, and George Marinelli, collaborating across genres, and turning his post-Americana mix into something decidedly more post-punk, with nods to REM, Peter Gabriel, Echo & the Bunnymen, and the Psychedelic Furs – all cooked up into something entirely original. His new and latest release, “Eleven Birds,” reflects this journey and brings his singing, songwriting, and producing talents into sharp focus, with potential realized, and barriers broken.
“Poetry in motion and fuel for the imagination . . .if you close your eyes each time you listen to Charlie Degenhart, you will be reminded why musicians are referred to as artists.” (Times Leader)
Eleven Birds (2023) is defined by both its cohesion and its range, each song presenting a unique soundscape, layered guitars and synthesizers, graced with Degenhart’s dynamic vocals and lyricism. In an era where single song downloads turn many from the album form, Degenhart manages to present distinct “singles” while still building the framework of an entirely cohesive album that holds together as an entity. “This Time Tomorrow” is the plaintive opening track, jangly and present, welcoming the listener in to come in and enjoy the ride. “Mystified” tells the story of a son making a promise to his dying father that “I’ll be as great a father to my children as you were me.” The track, however, eschews sentimentality for bare-bones reality, with driving post-punk guitars and melodic vocal lines carrying the day. “Pretty Ghost,” takes the listener back to the 80s before throwing them into the 21st century with a grooving tale of moving on after loss, sung beautifully by Degenhart, a pastiche delivery that is entirely his own. “Kintsugi” is the album’s perfect closer, somehow Bowie-esque in its angular arrangement, deceptive and fragile, offering a glimmer of hope for the “beautifully broken.”
Ultimately, Eleven Birds is a record that bears repeat listening, unpacking layers, revealing delights. It is an album that speaks to the heart, the groove, and the soul.
Credits: Recorded at Great Hill Productions in Nashville with Shawn Byrne producing and mixing. Musicians: Charlie Degenhart (vocals, guitars), Shawn Byrne (guitar, bass, synthesizers, vocals), Michael Green (drums/loops), John Henry Trinko (keys), Peter King (keys), Brian Sutherland (cello), Andrea Young (violin).
Mastering by John Baldwin at Infrasonic Mastering, Nashville TN.
Album artwork “Eleven Birds” by Greg Decker.
Photography by Ashley Hylbert
Video: The release of each track on Eleven Birds is supported by a brief video piece featuring the artwork of Nashville artist Greg Decker as well as a longer-form video. Charlie Degenhart - YouTube
“…witty, straightforward songwriting. Degenhart manages to touch on most of the best rock 'n' roll traditions.” (Performing Songwriter)
“…Degenhart shows us that he's that rare combination of artist and performer- a guy who can entertain us without resorting to the mind-numbing vacuousness of so many top pop acts, who can move us without succumbing to the whiny somberness of so many "serious" singer-songwriters (Amazon editorial review of Degenhart’s debut CD).
Eleven Birds (Independent, 2023)
TVA (as member of The Upper Middle, Allrightsreserved, full-length LP/CD, 2017)
Charlie Degenhart (CGMP EP, 2010)
April’s Fool (Wing Ding Records EP, 2005)
Bridge Street Main (Tiki God records, 2000)
