By Lisa Morgan
It is generally understood that some of the deepest heartache can manifest itself into some of the world’s most incredible and timeless art and music. Pain and loss are two things that can level the playing field for every race, gender and faith. It’s how we deal with it that sets us apart. In his first ever EP release, Black Water Gospel, Lance Reibsomer has dug deep into the well of what has been one of his greatest heartaches to date, and turned it into soulful, sonic poetry. With a voice that bends and twists with his emotions and yours as you listen, this inaugural EP will likely have a permanent place on you playlist – that is if you have a heart at all. And of course, it’s all about a girl. As Reibsomer puts it, “It’s basically the story of the greatest romance and heartbreak of my life.”
Reibsomer, the youngest of two brothers, was the only one to venture on to his great grandmothers 1908 upright piano at age 12. At age 14, he was inspired by his older brothers’ grunge garage band to pick up guitar. Being the only left handed sibling, Reibsomer picked it up and played it upside down for a year before being gifted a proper instrument. His musical influences range from Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne, Noel Gallagher, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to Black Keys, Ryan Adams and Wilco. While those exposures can be heard in various parts of this new EP, Reibsomer has managed to weave his very unique voice and style into Black Water Gospel; this self-taught singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, all but literally bled these songs.
Reibsomer moved from a two year residency in Orange County to be closer to his daughter from a previous marriage, thinking that he and the love of his life could work through the challenges of a long distance relationship. He was wrong, and the loss was devastating. It was good friend Aaron Andersen that pushed him to produce the songs that were pent up inside of him. After a five year songwriting hiatus, Reibsomer says, “Something opened up in me. I’d send Aaron the voice mails and texts (from his former love) and all my thoughts and ideas. I worked my ass off… I worked two jobs and would spend all of my free time locked in my room writing. It was the spark that took me from nothing to everything; I’ve written over 60 songs now.”
“Aaron kicked me in the ass. He told me, ‘For every five songs you send me, I’ll probably like one of them.’ His music background made him a force in the OC music scene, so I sent him everything. There were 15 songs he really liked that got narrowed down to 9. To Aaron, the worst words you can ever hear are, ‘good job.’ He would hear songs that I thought were awesome, and say they were just ok. It was a musical collaboration that turned into an amazing friendship. I’d spend 50 hours a week at work, leave for his studio and track for eight hours, then get back on the road. It took a lot longer than it should have maybe. I was more of a, ‘Throw the spaghetti on the wall and see if it sticks’ kind of guy. Aaron taught me to be more of a perfectionist. I feel like this is the best thing I’ve ever been able to put my name behind, from the vocals to the production down to the songwriting. This project has brought me a lot of pride and closure.” As for the relationship? “I had to let it go,” he says. “It was killing me. It’s still there, in the background, but I have no regrets, because I learned so much.”
“There is another reason this record means so much to me,” Reibsomer added. “When we tracked last summer, I spent a lot of time with Tad Easterly (guitarist). Tad was taking care of his dad at the time, who was dying from the effects of Parkinson’s disease. He was pretty much looking after him 24 hours a day. Tad has been my best friend since I was 14. He showed me so much about rock and roll. He is the ‘Ying’ to Aaron’s ‘Yang’ in my life. This record was being made at the twilight of a great man’s life – Tim Easterly. He was a second father to me. This album means a lot to both of us.”
I strongly suggest following this song crafter/performer, as talent like this has no bounds, and the naked honesty and authenticity in his music is a precious find. You can hear Reibsomer perform live Friday, August 19th and September 9th at Esjay and Friends Unplugged at the Hard Rock, Palm Springs (Show starts at 8 pm). You can also follow him at Blackwatergospel.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BlackWaterGospel and on Instagram at black_water_gospel.
Album Notes and Credits: The album is self-titled, after the name of the band that Reibsomer is fronting. The album’s mixing and mastering was self-funded following an Indie a Go Go kick starter campaign that raised partial financial support from Reibsomer’s believers/family and friends. The EP features artists Joel Plotnik and Dan Bailey on drums, Aaron Andersen and Tad Easterly on guitar, Alex Balderston and Daniel Rhine on bass, Conner Shanbrook and Phil Danyew on keys, and Sam Richard on percussion. The album was tracked at Elliot Smith’s New Monkey Studio in Burbank and at Gods and Heroes in Costa Mesa, mixed by Brian Cook and Mastered by Mark Chalecki (Capitol Records). Vocal engineering was done by Daniel Ballard.
