There is something magical about meeting an artist that sounds original and new but recognizable. That is the concept behind Sweet Undertow by Eddy Undertow. His 1st album Skeletone Machine is a trip through place and time, a soundscape reflecting his experiences and upbringing. Eddy emerges out of the fraught San Francisco music scene painting with music like some may paint with styles or words merging bluesy Americana with country and rock. Skeletone Machine talks about universals we all are able to relate to – love, loss and those late night musings which keep you up until late hours. And it does this not to touch your heart but to get you moving.
An Unusual Beginning
Eddy is originally from Chicago and found a world of sound which could encourage him forever. His ear was also taken by vintage blues growing up on the rebellious tunes of punk and his brother’s endless Metallica records. These had been the songs his father liked, having grown up observing live blues in San Francisco. In high school he sang in a punk band and after that purchased a guitar – that clearly had been acquired somehow. You may call it his very first serious commitment to music. Eddy was finding his feet in whatever punk or blues he might embrace. This diverse blend of influences evolved into the foundation of his musical style – something so real you end up attracted to it.
A Life Beyond Borders
But for Eddy music was more than tunes and notes. It was a passport to wherever life might take him. After a short stint battling wildfires (yes, actually) Eddy packed up and headed to Europe and Asia. His guitar was his constant companion throughout towns and nations, languages and cultures. He played in obscure bars in Crimea and an orphanage in Ukraine – stories he tells in his music. To join a professional band in Vietnam and also playing in a Mumbai slum provided him with experiences you don’t hear about – every one of which influenced his sound back home. And who can forget being paid with fake shoes for a song in a Carpathian disco? That is a story you cann’t make-up.
Settling in a New Home
Years around the world Eddy returned to San Francisco. Below, in the misty streets and bustling night scene, Sweet Undertow was born. Named for the role the ocean played in his early days right here, it is the type of band that causes you to feel like home anywhere you are. Eddy started collaborating with some other musicians who liked timeless music. Bassist John “Big Bottom” Eckstrom, guitarist Jim Semitekol and drummer Dave Tavel completed the sound Eddy had imagined. Then, just when everything seemed to click, Sweet Undertow laid down the tracks for Skeletone Machine at producer John Vanderslice’s studio. They never knew the pandemic would probably turn the world upside down and thrust them back to uncharted waters again.
The Discography You Didn’t Know You Needed
There are several treasures among the tracks on Skeletone Machine. From the brisk opener to quieter numbers like Riding on to the Light, Sweet Undertow has everything. The songs are a manifestation of Eddy’s journeys, lows and highs, and issues of life. It is a truthful look at his world through the lens of his music – rock, Americana, blues. The album is original while remaining true to its origins, echoing Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival and even Tom Waits. This particular blend of influences implies that every song has an area and each note has a purpose – thus, making this a record that’s both intimate and broad.
Let’s Get Connected
So, in case you have been searching for new stuff and actual, check out Sweet Undertow’s music. It is Eddy’s life experience, musical background and soulful curiosity all rolled into Skeletone Machine. It’s available to listen to on platforms like Spotify, where you can also dive into individual tracks like Stained Glass Eyes (Bye Bye Baby) or One Way Ticket on a Pine Box Train. And if social media’s your thing, catch Sweet Undertow rolling with the tide over on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re like us and appreciate a bit of raw and honest storytelling in your tunes, Sweet Undertow is an artist you don’t want to sleep on. Dive in, and let the music take you places.
