“Sharp joins Hartford, Prine, and Dylan as troubadours who wrap their lyrical genius in a musical brilliance.” –No Depression
Asheville, NC-based singer/banjoist, chief songwriter, and founding member of the GRAMMY-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, Graham Sharp, makes his solo debut with the digital release of Truer Picture. The album’s physical CD and LP release follows July 9.
Shot in Daufuskie Island, SC, Sharp shares the video for “Come Visit My Island,” directed and edited by Graham’s son, Wade, who was also at the helm of previously released videos for “Generation Blues” and “Truer Picture of Me.”
Produced and mixed by Sharp and Seth Kauffman (Floating Action, Courtney Jaye, Shannon Whitworth), Truer Picture was recorded at Kauffman’s Black Mountain, NC studio and mastered by Chris Boerner at The Kitchen in Carrboro, NC. Sharp and Kauffman played all the instruments for the session, except for Matt Smith on pedal steel.
As the world entered lockdown in 2020, Sharp drew inspiration from a wellspring of emotions. With a warm, resonant baritone, Truer Picture showcases Sharp’s incredible diversity as a vocalist and writer with a collection of songs all written and sung by him the exact way he intended them to sound.
Pre-order Truer Picture on CD and Vinyl. The First Edition Vinyl LP is pressed on blue vinyl, autographed by Graham, and is limited to 500 copies worldwide! Pre-orders will ship by early July!
Tackling feelings of isolation on “Come Visit My Island” to addressing political unrest on “My Neighborhood,” Sharp’s unique style of songwriting is ever-present on the Prine-esque songs “North Star” and “Coming Back to Life.” The lush instrumentation on “Deeper Family,” which features harmony vocals from The War on Drugs’ David Hartley, illustrates the stark sonic differences between Sharp’s solo work and his music with Steep Canyon Rangers.
“This record, to me,” says Woody Platt, lead vocalist of Steep Canyon Rangers, “is Graham channeling the music he loves most: writing it, playing it, and singing it all on his own. It’s like a Sunday morning cup of coffee with Don Williams, a late-night tour bus ride with Terry Allen, or an afternoon with John Hartford.”
Graham Sharp On Tour
May 13 – Brevard, NC – 185 King St.
May 15 – Greer, SC – Albino Skunk Festival
May 27 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat
June 10 – Raleigh, NC – Duke Performing Arts Center (w/ Fireside Collective)
June 17 – Charlotte, NC – Victoria Yards
June 18 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel