Around 1997, after the breakup of the Chicago hard rock/power pop band Lava Sutra, guitarist/singer Jason Walker began recording new songs under the pseudonym San Tropez. After several years of live shows, the new band was conceived as purely a studio project, with a softer, more intimate style.
Recordings began with engineer Bob Samiljan (Lava Sutra's bassist), and soon fellow ex-Sutras Anthony Illarde (drums) and Tim Fowler (guitar) were recruited to play, along with various other friends. The first official San Tropez release was a version of the Walker Brothers' "I Can't Let It Happen To You", included on the "Big Songs For Small Apartments" compilation in 1998.
Soon, however, Fowler and Illarde joined up with the Chamber Strings to record the Gospel Morning album, and Illarde went with the group on its European tours (backing up Epic Soundtracks along the way). Eventually, Walker joined the Chamber Strings on bass, Carolyn Engelmann (formerly of Panda) came in from San Francisco to play keyboards, and the final lineup was in place. The group toured the States numerous times, and recorded the wildly-praised Month of Sundays album.
After several years of playing together, Engelmann, Fowler, Illarde and Walker had established their own sound, and a near-psychic ability to play together as a unit. Eventually, they decided to the time was right to exit the Chamber Strings, and return as San Tropez. Many new songs have been written, live shows are scheduled, and studio recording has begun.
For more information, visit their website: http://www.santropezmusic.com
Got a correction? Click
Here
Pages linking to this one include:
