My Music
I have many musical influences. Some of them are: Afghan Whigs, Twilights Singers, Sparklehorse, The Who, The Beatles, PJ Harvey, gospel music, gypsy music, greek music, and more.
At the core of my music is the pull of love. A lot of what people go through in life, what I went through, is about love. It tears you apart, rips you apart, it can do strange things to you, make you do what you would never do.
I have three daughters, and am now separated from their mother. I have been with a woman for twelve years, off and on, and my heart still aches for that one love.
Another influence on my music was my career as a professional boxer for more than twenty years. It sounds strange to write indie pop love songs and then put on the boxing gloves, but it worked for me. Boxing took me all over the country. However, living that way wasn't sustainable. I wanted to get back home and be with my loved ones. I ended up writing songs about those experiences.
I'm All Right?
I'm All Right?
Entering the studio with friends Larry Crane (known for engineering records for Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney, The Go-Betweens, Quasi, Richard Buckner, Stephen Malkmus, Pavement) and John Moen (drummer for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Maroons front man), Chris Tsefalas recorded his debut solo record, "I'm All Right?"
A gorgeous, lush pop record with angel-esque backing vocals from John Moen, "I'm All Right?" showcases Chris Tsefalas' ability to craft dark lyricism and wrap it around bright, blissful pop melodies that make you want to dance, shake your head, and tap your feet in approval.
"I'm All Right?" is filled with ten honest, dirt-and-soil songs built from the ground up. Filled with life and the love of life, Tsefalas examines life's ins and outs, tackles depression, and sees through the evaporated hopes that once surrounded him, somehow coming through it all with beaming optimism and a smile to match the intensity of the songs.
This is a pop album that will not only fulfill your sugar cravings, but goes well beyond that, delivering cavity-creating pop moments, oft with dark overtones that come to life the more you listen and engage in the songs.
A thinking man's record, a record that will grow on you with each listen, Tsefalas' "I'm All Right" is the kind of record that will comfort you, sharing both good times and bad, while, no matter how far down you think you've gone, it will smile right back at you and say, "Times are rough, but you'll be all right".
This is what Tsefalas has learned through the journey of writing and recording this record. He is all right and so are you. Let Tsefalas' voice sooth your soul and his songs uplift your spirits while you sing along.
"I'm All Right", a pop masterpiece you'll keep revisiting.
The Oregonian, Northwest CD review: 'Follow the Sun,' Chris Tsefalas
Tracks
1. I'm All Right It's OK [mp3]
2. Set Me Up
3. I Don't Know Why
4. Making A Mess
5. Sam I Am [mp3]
6. Back To Bed
7. It's So Clear
8. A Wonderful Ride [mp3]
9. James
10. Somewhere Else
Follow The Sun
Follow The Sun
FEATURING CHRIS FUNK AND JOHN MOEN FROM THE DECEMBERISTS PERFORMING ON THE ALBUM!
Produced by The Decemberists' John Moen, whom also handles all drumming on the record, and plays guitar, keyboards, and even some strings on the album, Chris Tsefalas' sophomore full-length, "Follow The Sun", is a rich, layered late-night rock record, equal parts melodic pop and rollicking rock.
With influences including roots (The Decemberists' Chris Funk's pedal steel adds a touch of country flavor to the tracks he sits in on), power-pop, lush pop, and straight-ahead rock 'n' roll, Tsefalas and his band have stepped it up a notch from their warming debut, "I'm All Right?", making a darker, but equally infectious record with "Follow The Sun".
Filled with eleven honest, dirt-and-soil songs built from the ground up, Tsefalas examines life's ins and outs, tackles depression, and sees through the evaporated hopes that once surrounded him, somehow coming through it all with beaming optimism and a smile to match the intensity of the songs.
He even smiles and has a great time, as is the case on "Bad Rat", a song whose lyrics were written by his young daughter, whom asked her daddy to put music to it and make her poem into a song. For which he gladly did, and he and the band had a great time rocking out and doing so.
This is an album that will not only fulfill your sugar cravings, but goes well beyond that, delivering cavity-creating pop moments, oft with dark overtones that come to life the more you listen and engage in the songs.
A thinking man's record, a record that will grow on you with each listen, Tsefalas' "Follow The Sun" is the kind of record that will comfort you, sharing both good times and bad, while, no matter how far down you think you've gone, it will smile right back at you and say, "Times are rough, but just follow the sun for the light".
CDs sweetness and light pack a wallop, Portland Tribune, 2005 - "Tsefalas has a light, airy voice. Coupled with the elegant, economical arrangements and moody, piano-driven waltz tempos, 'I'm All Right?' will doubtless remind some of Elliott Smith - not an unexpected thing, since both Moen and Crane are former Smith colleagues."