Joe Bourdet: from the Mountains to the Sea

Joe Bourdet has been a staple on the LA scene since the days of Josh Schwartz’s Painted Hills and bluesy-rock outfit Whispering Pines, and more recently he’s played GospelbeacH’s Let It Burn and the upcoming Ben Reddell Band EP. At long last, he’s releasing his solo debut, Meadow Rock, inspired by the rolling hills of California, the sounds of the canyon (this one a bit more Topanga than Laurel, but both are present), and the spirit of the folk pioneers and pristine engineers that went before him.

The record serves as an aural tour of the Golden State – from the Sierra Nevadas (Amongst the Pines) to the beaches (El Capitan), and all the spaces in between. In this podcast, Joe takes us through his musical history, his life that follows a similar map as the record, from the railroad towns on the outskirts of the Emerald Triangle to the surf of Santa Cruz to the sparkling city that is Los Angeles, where Joe resides today. Not that this album is only relevant in California or to Californians – there are more than enough pine trees and palm trees that translate well to anywhere, anyone, and ultimately, any time.

Pre-order Meadow Rock on Bandcamp. I’ve already called it my Album of the Year but this is one for a lifetime.

Photo by Sara Ross Samko.