It’s fitting the Jersey-born New York-to-Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist John Carpenter shares a name with the man behind the Halloween franchise: There’s something autumnal and spooky about his soulful, romantic rock ‘n’ roll. See, for instance, “Seasons,” the A-Side of his new Mexican Summer 7″: It sounds like vintage Scott Walker fronting the Zombies. (To get more contemporary, you might think, too, of a hazier sounding Fresh & Onlys.) By the time you get to the jangling B-Side “Haunt My Home,” you’ll understand why he mentions Roy Orbison, Echo & The Bunnymen, John Cale, and “early” Roxy Music as influences for his gothic-tinged garage. Both of those songs were initially included on his self-released Demos And Live Fiascos, but are now “no longer part of the release,” ostensibly to draw focus to the single. When you add those to his recent 4-song Possibilities EP, you’re getting closer to accumulating a proper full length’s worth of material, something we’d really appreciated. Take a listen.



“Haunt My Home”

Here’s “One For Me,” the opening tack from the EP:

The “Seasons” b/w “Haunt My Home” 7″ is out now via Mexican Summer. His Possibilities EP is out via Lost Industry. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, catch him live:

09/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Silver Factory Studios
09/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge

Comments (7)
  1. Tragically, this man can only hope to ever be the second most rocking person named John Carpenter.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D03E9kUTTtQ

  2. ‘Seasons’ is amazing. whatever is happening here is not being done by anyone else in this decade. or at least, not sounding half as good. can’t wait for more.

  3. vvonricci  |   Posted on Sep 19th, 2009 0

    This is some of the best stuff happening right now. Finally some real honesty!!

  4. Very awesome. I am definitely looking for that 7″ This reminds me of a tape that I had as a kid, but I can NOT for the life of me remember the artist. This will do. It’s great.

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