Carl Creighton
Info taken from Carl’s MinneWiki page:
Carl Creighton (born 18 February 1984) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. Raised in Prior Lake, MN, Creighton formed his original band in New York City with drummer Brant Benefield and bassist Charles Barthelemy. The trio released their first album Minnesota in 2008. Their second album 11 North was released in 2010.
Creighton moved back to his home state in February of 2010. Quickly after his return, Creighton met drummer Bryan Gooding, bassist Mike Gorman and Lead Violinist Tina Two. Adopting the name Wasted Education, Creighton and his band have been performing frequently in the Twin Cities at such staples as 400 Bar, Turf Club, Acadia Cafe, Wild Tymes and the Terminal Bar.
Early Life
Creighton was born in Minneapolis, MN and brought up by his parents and older siblings in the suburb of Prior Lake where he attended and graduated from the local public high school. The son of a hospital admissions specialist and an accountant for the public library system, Creighton’s parents and their blue collar work ethic had a very strong influence on him growing up. At an early age his parents introduced him to the music of The Beatles and the songs of the 50′s and 60′s via KOOL 108. Creighton credits his early exposure to this classic pop rock style and the eclectic tastes of his older sister Amanda and older brother Craig as providing the groundwork for his own music career. He later spent time listening to Radiohead, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey and Tori Amos. In his teens he became a fan of the Pixies, Belle and Sebastian, though not, as many critics have suspected, Jack Johnson (a frequent comparison that Creighton dismisses as “lazy journalism”). More recently he has claimed inspiration from Michael Jackson, Animal Collective and Paul Simon.
He was first taught the piano by his grandmother Mildred Creighton at age 9 and began teaching himself to write songs when he received a Casio keyboard from his parents at age 13. At 16, sister Amanda arranged an article for Creighton in the Prior Lake American for the Faces in the Crowd section, in which journalist Todd Schierenbeck described the young singer’s living room performance as “a clear and supple tenor/baritone voice, soaring over a rippling, rushing cascade of piano notes and harmonies. Watching him as he sits at the piano is an experience in and of itself.”
At age 17, Creighton began learning to play and write songs on the acoustic guitar, which he then took to local bars and coffee shops in the Twin Cities area. After accepting an invitation to record a demo in Vancouver, BC in June of 2004, Creighton soon placed his sights on the opposite side of the continent and New York City. An initial attempt at moving was ended abruptly when Creighton’s sister Amanda was killed in a car accident outside of Lakeville, MN the evening of January 2, 2005, less than a week after Creighton had flown to New York.
He quickly returned home and enrolled at Normandale Community College. A second invitiation to record in Vancouver, BC in June of 2005 inspired Creighton to pursue his music career once again in New York City, The artist withdrew from classes and made the second trip to New York the following August.
Later Early Life
Soon after arriving in New York, Creighton found his way to the Monday night Antihoot held at the Sidewalk Cafe. The host and originator of the antifolk scene Lach was moved by Creighton’s performance of the song “Minnesota” and with the approval of the rapt audience offered the artist his first show in New York. More shows led to a tight relationship between Creighton and the antifolk scene, a scene which supported other artists such as Frank Hoier, Dan Costello, Erin Regan, Maya Caballero, Debe Dalton and the Moldy Peaches.
Recording of Creighton’s studio debut Minnesota began with then roommate Charles Barthelemy and Upper East Side neighbor Brant Benefield on January 13th, 2008 at the Seaside Lounge. The subject matter of the album reflects the 4 year anniversary of Amanda Creighton’s death, most notably in the title track “Minnesota” and the album closer “Baby’s Breath.”
Acclaimed producer and musician Blake Luley, introduced to Creighton’s music while working as an intern at the Seaside Lounge during the vocal sessions for Minnesota, contacted the artist to record a 4 song EP to be released on Luley’s yet to be created record label. The record deal and company didn’t develop, but the meeting led to a strong professional relationship and friendship between the two artists, the original 4 song EP concept developing into a 12-track follow up album titled 11 North. Sold in a 50 copy limited edition at the Sidewalk Cafe on January 31, 2010, 11 North was released globally on iTunes February 10, 2010.
Creighton moved back to Minnesota in February 2010.
Discography:
Minnesota <2008> (Digital + CD Release) *FILTHY PITS RECORDS*
1. Smoking is Ugly
2. Be My Best Friend
3. Big Arms
4. El Paso
5. Light Bulb
6. Minnesota
7. Derrius
8. Never Gave You My Guitar
9. Erin
10. Live Tonight
11. Baby’s Breath
About:
Carl Creighton’s debut album Minnesota was recorded and mixed in 6 days at Seaside Lounge in Park Slope Brooklyn the beginning of January 2008. This daunting task of completing 11 songs in such a short period of time was only possible because of the energy and skill of engineer Charles Burst and the dedication of the artists involved. The short recording period adds to the warmth and casual feel of the album, as does the blistery cold of January reflected in many of the lyrics.
The subject matter of Minnesota is as much about New York as it is about the title state as Creighton reflects on his decision to live away from his family in a new homeland.
11 North <2010> (Digital + CD Release, Limited Edition First Pressing SOLD OUT) *HSC001/FP001*
1. Already Gone
2. When I Go
3. Christian Girl
4. If E’er You Lose the Will
5. No Color in My Dreams
6. Freedom is a Buzzword
7. I’ve Lost My Mind
8. Johnny After the War
9. Whalemen All the Way
10. Your Heart in My Pocket
11. Fire in the Ward
ABOUT:
Released on iTunes and other digital retailers in January 2010, 11 North is the first musical collaboration between Creighton and producer Blake Luley. Creighton was introduced to Luley during the recording of Minnesota at Seaside Lounge in 2008 where Luley was an intern. Impressed by Creighton’s abilities, Luley approached the singer-songwriter with an idea of releasing the song “Big Arms” on a compilation of local artists that Luley was interested in. After hearing Luley’s own music released as Arthur Advocate, Creighton asked the artist if he would want to record some new material together. What started out as a 4 song EP soon became a full album of 12 tracks representing the seamless marriage of Creighton’s folk sensibilities and Luley’s inclination for exploring new sonic realms.
The title of 11 North comes from Creighton’s short stay at the psychiatric floor at New York Presbyterian Hospital where a few of the songs were written, most notably Fire in the Ward and If E’er You Lose the Will. The photo by Luley on the Extended Release cover is of this hospital.
A limited run of 11 North was released at Creighton’s going away party in January of 2010. The cover of this version was designed and photographed by Chicago based artist Charles Latham. Fifty copies were created by Luley and Creighton in the basement of their mentors and friends Vaughn Lewis and Kenny Gabor using glue sticks and some emergency snaps bought at a local convenience store at 1AM in the blistering cold.
