‘The Modern Lives, Vol. 2,’ the second self-written, recorded, and produced EP from Americana’s “cowboy poet” (so-christened by Bob Weir) Jackie Greene, released 10/5 on Blue Rose Music. With wailing electric guitars, sultry piano ballads, and Southern honky-tonk, the six-track EP proves that Greene is “unburdened by adherence to genre” (NPR). A thematic extension of ‘The Modern Lives, Vol. 1’ EP (Blue Rose Music), the folk and bluegrass-slanted EP harkens back to Jackie’s musical roots (his first high school gig, playing classic country at the local biker bar) while showcasing his most mature, honest songwriting to date.
Jackie created the EP – writing every lyric, playing every instrument on the recording, and self-producing- in his Brooklyn basement while on the cusp of fatherhood and a move back to his native Sacramento. Inspired by the major life changes he was undergoing and the city sounds that crept in through the walls, Parade calls the EP “fantastically well-written, but also performed with a confident, exuberant energy that feels like a breath of fresh open country air.”
As a former guitarist of the Black Crowes and supergroup Trigger Hippy, and frequent collaborator of genre heroes Weir, Phil Lesh (who officiated his wedding), BB King, Buddy Guy, and more, Jackie has earned a “next generation of six-string legends” (Rolling Stone) pedigree and reputation in the live music world. Now taking a break from his constant touring, he is focusing on quality of creative, visual-based production to debut the EP tracks.
With his new Nashville-grown Modern Lives Band- Nashville Recording Academy president Shannon Sanders as music director and keyboardist, newcomers Megan Coleman (percussion), Jon “Smoke” Lucas (drums), and Ben Rubin (bass), as well as longtime member Nathan Dale (guitar)- Jackie is playing select dates that will pair the band’s psychedelic playing with trippy, Technicolor- think ‘Yellow Submarine’ meets free-hand ‘Futurama’- visuals via “king of indie animation,” Oscar-nominated Bill Plympton.
Friday, Oct. 5 – New York, NY – Town Hall
Saturday, Oct. 13 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Sunday, Oct. 14 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda
