While waiting in an airport security line, I saw the usual signs. No sharp objects. No flammable substances. No firearms. Then my attention was drawn to a large image of a grenade with a red slash through it. Is this what we’ve come to, I thought?
That’s where this song came from.
People around the world are checking out my “Chernobyl” animated music video. It’s even earned a few laurels along the way, including in Rome, London, Prague, Munich, India, and Slovakia. I wonder where it’ll blow up next. Haven’t seen the video yet? Put on your hazmat suit and watch it here (password = blast).
I’m happy to announce that “Chernobyl” has been named winner of the Music Video category in May from Cult Critic Movie Awards in Kolkata, India.
Haven’t seen my short film yet? You can watch it here (password = blast).
“Chernobyl” was inspired by my travels in Europe in 1986. I was visiting a distant relative in Hamburg at the time. Though we were 800 miles away, I remember the fear as we watched the weather patterns on the news (are those clouds coming from the reactor?) and avoided fresh produce that might have been tainted by the blast. Hard to imagine it’s now a tourist attraction.
On the day before Tiny Telephone San Francisco closed forever, I scrambled into the studio to record six songs with guitarist extraordinaire Jules Leyhe. When looking back, I’ll always be thankful that I got one last recording day in this amazing space. And, with the session taking place during the days of COVID, I’m glad to say we all wore masks.
Listen to the mini-album now for FREE on BandCamp.
Recorded at Tiny Telephone San Francisco on July 13, 2020.
Greg Roensch: acoustic guitar, vocals
Jules Leyhe: electric guitar
Audio Engineer: Danielle Goldsmith
Mastering: Jacob Winik
Cover Photo: Richard Osborn
Graphic Design: Aimee Stevland
Special Thanks: John Vanderslice (Tiny Telephone)
All songs written by Greg Roensch. All rights reserved.
Here’s a look at the concert that never was … thanks to everyone for your support for my album announcement yesterday. Here’s a glimpse into what it looked like in Tiny Telephone studio in San Francisco.
Album available now on BandCamp — listen free or pay what you want. Coming soon on all other digital platforms.
Reminder: 50% of all sales, tips, donations for this album will go to the Homeless Prenatal Program.
In March, I had to cancel a house concert due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Not knowing when I’d play another show, I decided to record a live album. So, here it is. Just me and my guitar. Playing the songs as you would have heard them at the concert that never was.
Album available now on BandCamp — listen free or pay what you want.
Tip Jar
PayPal: gregroensch@gmail.com
Venmo: @Greg-Roensch
SUPPORT HPP: 50% of all money received from sales, tips, donations, etc. for this album will go directly to the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco. If you’re unfamiliar with HPP, I encourage you to check out their amazing work to help families break the cycle of poverty.
Stay safe out there everyone.
CREDITS
Recorded at Tiny Telephone San Francisco (June 2, 3, 8, 2020)
Audio Engineer: Danielle Goldsmith
Mastering: Jacob Winik
Album Cover Painting: Brenda Cole Seymour
Graphic Design: Aimee Stevland
Special Thanks: John Vanderslice, Rosalie Lack
Dedicated to Mike “Trippy” Otten
All songs written and performed by Greg Roensch. All rights reserved.
I’m happy to report that I just wrapped up recording a new record. It look a fair amount of time (okay, decades), but I think this is the album I’ve always meant to record — just me and my guitar.
Huge thanks to Danielle Goldsmith for engineering and mixing the record in Studio A at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco.
Fingers pressed tight
I clench the callous-making strings
And recall the thunder in your walls.
Smokey, Alfie, Jimmy Crucifix, and more
Held down the funkified groove
For the hounds at the gate and
An army of punks and rockers.
The carpet is worn,
The soda machine sold beer,
And my ears ring for joy.
Then, in a nanosecond eternity
A guitar cries in my dream,
A million candles ignite, and …
I pause to inhale one last blast of instant nirvana.
Thank you, Carole Lennon
And all the staff over the years
For the refuge you gave.
An hour or three at a time.
From the small rooms
To the soundstage
To the bones in the hallway.
As you dim the lights
And shut the door,
We salute you.
(Written to mark the closing of Lennon Studios’ hourly space – 1984 to 2020)
In these times of shelter-in-place, I’ve been thinking back to many of the amazing places RL and I have visited over the years. I look forward to a time when we can return to favorite spots and explore new destinations.
Thanks to John Vanderslice, Crystal Pascucci, and Carly Bond for bringing their talents to this song.
Thanks to those who listened to Put on the Pink Flamingos. It was great to recieve some very kind words, especially from the friend who called it “a seven-minute thirty-nine-second spiritual experience!”
