The deeply introspective singer–who masterfully blends ‘heart on your sleeve’ vulnerability with the kind of sexy Bad Boy swagger that defines classic rock–brings to both his live performances and the ten compelling cuts of Peach Red a cool batch of fascinating experiences from along the musical road. He’s traveled a lot in pursuit of his dream, getting his first band together in St. Louis and writing and playing guitar in L.A. while still trying to figure out his direction. Returning to the Midwest with a greater sense of purpose, he formed his first trio and hit Memphis before following his calling to New York, where he jammed at holes in the wall in the Village before establishing himself with headlining residencies at hotspots like Kenny’s Castaways, Sullivan Hall and The Bitter End.
Ever since he announced that he was putting out a follow-up to his 2007 State Of Mind Music Box EP, McGinty has been fielding questions about his title Peach Red. An ode to the South, perhaps? Sure, he played in the city of Stax, but that was just for a summer - he’s a city dude now with Midwestern roots. But while the name of the project isn’t based on any specific moment or time in his life, he’s excited about the full expression his songs give about where he’s been (the soul searching, all the trial and error), where he is now (very happy in the moment) and where he’s going (hoping to rejuvenate real organic roots rock for people who were there the first time or just discovering it). He’s reflecting what it’s like to believe in himself, to throw himself into the fire of a career in music and to truly want to show the joy of making music that gets back to basics.
A few key tracks on Peach Red show that McGinty is not only carrying on the traditions of his greatest influences, but is also a master at heartfelt and observational songwriting. The edgy simmering (and ultimately exploding!) blues/rocker ‘Can’t Help But Shine’ takes a witty look at the dolled up punksters and hipsters he used to see when he lived on St. Marks Street above some headshops. With all that pretension in the air, he thinks a person who is just him or herself walking into a room is refreshing.
He wrote the hard grooving and romantic ‘10 Moons’ in a hotel room in Chicago when he was missing his girlfriend; it’s about the longing he has when he’s away, stopping in his tracks, running red lights and going back to the arms that love him. The quirkily titled ‘Hard Jelly’ takes us back to a time when he was pursuing his current love. At one point she gave him the runaround and he was caught up in the chase–sure that he ‘used to have a backbone till you turned me into jelly.’
Rhonda Brilliant
Rainmaker Public Relations
E-Mail : RnmkrPR@aol.com
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