Artist description Twisted Folk for Twisted Folks

Music Style Urban Folk

Musical Influences Richard Thompson, Suzanne Vega, Warren Zevon, Melissa Ferrick, Richard Shindell, Tom T Hall, Fleetwood Mac

Similar Artists Bob Dylan, John Prine, Lindsey Buckingham, Richard Thompson, Fairport Convention

Artist History Atlas Stucco was born out of the same smoky Montreal Cabaret scene that birthed performers like Rufus Wainwright, Lindy, Andrew Sweeney and Martha Wainwright. The prevailing wisdom of the scene had musicians getting up on stage to perform music, read poetry or stage brief theatrical interludes - sometimes with each other and sometimes with little or no preparation. Fresh from the demise of noted Alt-Popsters Assembly Required, guitarist and songwriter Chris Houston took to the stage after making a name change to Atlas Stucco in order to avoid confusion with the seminal punk legend Chris Houston, (whose song "Surfing on Heroin" has been shouted out at almost every gig Chris perfomed under his own name). Eventually solo performance gave way to a four piece band who played several well-received shows in and around Montreal. An avowed eavesdropper with a potent imagination, Atlas draws much of his songwriting inspiration from the world around him. out of this comes songs about love, loss and making it with your Grade 9 teacher. Atlas songs like Centrefold and Blue Tattoo have drawn comparisons to songwriters like John Prine and Richard Thompson, but musically Atlas is carving out his own territory with his propulsive and ornamental acoustic guitar work. Eventually Atlas followed his muse to Toronto where he continued to ply his high energy brand of twisty urban pop - both as a solo perfomer and as accompanist to pop diva Linda M and collborating with noted ambient artist Tom Third. With Linda M , Atlas has travelled throughout Ontario, Quebec as well as parts of the United States. This musical pairing bore fruit in some tracks that were recorded with legendary producer Jim Zolis, soon to be released on Linda M's forthcoming album. Atlas solo shows often borrow a page from the Cabaret scene which birthed him by featuring many special guests and one-off performances. In the summer of 2002 Atlas left the comfortable confines of the Linda M Universe after two memorable shows in New York City to concentrate on his own music. His debut CD, entitled Atlas, will be released on October 5th.

Group Members Atlas Stucco: Guitar & Vocals Tracey Houston: Bass & Vocals Edward Barth: Drums Alex Aptekar: Fiddle

Instruments Guitar / Bass / Drums/ fiddle

Albums Head Start

Press Reviews "One of the better singer/songwriters I've heard live over the past few years... a quirky take on urban folk, with a twist." Kim Bates Green Man Review October 2002

Location toronto, Ontario - Canada

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