PRINTHe's bringing Renaissance back
Adam Stanley releases debut solo album at The Blue Note
Adam Stanley
Stanley played his first show at The Blue Note in 2004 with his former band, Simple Randy. The singer-songwriter now returns to the venue older, wiser and armed with his new album, Requisite Renaissance.
February 7, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
He’s played guitar at Shiloh. He’s played Forge and Vine. He even played Forge and Vine when it was still Fat Otter’s. He’s played Harpo’s on football weekends.
Singer-songwriter Adam Stanley can’t walk two blocks downtown without being stopped by an old friend, neighbor or a former roommate’s girlfriend.
Who: Adam Stanley
What: First solo album release, Requisite Renaissance
When: Fri. 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Blue Note
Cost: $5, $10 includes a CD
Call: 874-1944
He is no stranger to Columbia, which could be why he has chosen The Blue Note for the release of his first solo album, Requisite Renaissance, on Friday.
Stanley, a former MU student, began writing music when he was 15 years old. He continued to do so through his college years.
Eventually, he joined the pop band Simple Randy. In 2004, the band made an appearance at The Blue Note to release its self-titled album. “I remember the first time I got behind the microphone and looked out, I got a lump in my stomach,” Stanley says. “It was a big emotional high.”
Simple Randy dissolved in December 2005; Stanley headed back to square one and took his music into his own hands. “I had to go back to the drawing board,” he says. “I had to relearn how to play music again, how to do it on my own.”
In 2006, Stanley began writing songs for what would become Requisite Renaissance in his hometown of Joplin. Between the two albums, Stanley has changed both personally and musically. He says he now can listen to music and break down songs better. Stanley also has learned to make stronger choices in life and wiser choices in the business. These changes have given the new album a more personal feel than his first.
“I definitely take pride in my back catalogue, but I kind of view Simple Randy as Requisite’s little brother,” Stanley says.
In contrast to Simple Randy’s sound, which was reminiscent of John Mayer or Jason Mraz, Requisite Renaissance takes stock of the finer things in life and focuses on storytelling. The album represents a more mature Stanley who embraces his influences, such as Paul Simon, Van Morrison and James Taylor.
To Justin Arft, who plays mandolin on the album, Stanley’s talent shows in his songwriting. “His song craft is really strong,” says Arft. “It’s both user-friendly and deep. After some listening, you can really see depth.”
Among Stanley’s influences, one is a bit closer to home. His producer and uncle, Martin O’Flaherty, former member of early-’90s rock band Walking on Einstein, has played an integral part in Stanley’s musical development.
“He taught me about putting stories into songs,” Stanley says.
And this influence shows in Stanley’s songs. On the album, he croons out sweet ballads, but there are a few surprises up his sleeve. “By the Sea” has some blues-y harmonica, and “King and a Queen” has an electric-guitar introduction.
In a grander scheme, Stanley feels like Renaissance in the title refers to his own creative rebirth but hopes the idea will resonate. “The world’s ready for another Renaissance,” he says. “Culture is going to become important again.”
Stanley’s journey from past to present has been filled with hard work and perseverance. Stanley hopes his diligence will be portrayed in his work.
Arft says the audience can expect an intimate performance. “He doesn’t just stand up on stage in his own world,” Arft says. “He really tries to play to the audience.”
Stanley looks forward to the show on a personal level and will be supported by those who have inspired the changes that helped him create Requisite Renaissance.
“I expect to see the faces of people who have helped out with the album or who know my music — that, to me, means more than anything.”
