Portland's had a habit, since Elliott Smith, of birthing iconoclastic singer-songwriters, and Krist Krueger now joins that list. As Southerly, he offers thickly orchestrated tracks that are culturally wry without being whiny. His flinty mumble, not one trace precious, helps keep that fine balance.
The closest most so-called pop auteurs come to multi-tasking is mustering a balance between singer and songwriter. Southerly, the nom-de-tune of Krist Krueger is the product of a bona fide DIY visionary. Not only does Krueger sing, write and arrange the music of Southerly, he's a seasoned recording engineer, record label manager and booking agent. He remains hands-on in all aspects of his music. The Portland artist's lush, orchestral pop is reminiscent of The National, Brendan Benson, Richard Ashcroft, Elliott Smith and former Tindersticks frontman Stuart Staples. Krueger recorded this, the second Southerly album, with his own orchestra and horn arrangements, fleshing songs which center on Krueger's otherwise intimate singing style. Recently dubbed “a one man musical army” by Skratch Magazine, Southerly revisits the golden era of lush pop orchestration on Storyteller & The Gossip Columnist.