When it comes to finding brand new artists, there is simply a thing about finding music that tells stories and they have catchy beats. It is like meeting a friend whose stories never die. Such is the case if you stumble across Sweet Undertow, the project of Eddy Undertow. Eddy can mix bluesy Americana, country and rock together in a sound which echoes the winding streets of his life. Rooted in Chicago, he enjoyed vintage blues, punk rock and his brother’s endless collection of Metallica records. These very early influences gave Eddy his musical identity.
But those early days weren’t all that shaped him. Eddy travelled through Europe and Asia collecting stories and sounds. Imagine him playing guitar in obscure bars in Crimea, entertaining kids at an orphanage in Ukraine or sharing tunes in a slum in Mumbai. Each experience gives his sound a distinctive stamp. With his adventures narrated in melody, Sweet Undertow releases his very first album “Skeletone Machine” with relatable lyrics in addition to refreshing rhythms. In case you like storytelling in music or you prefer familiar yet fresh sounds, Sweet Undertow may be the musical journey for you. Check out the album – you may just discover a brand new favorite song in your playlist.
The Roots: From Chicago’s Blues to Punk Rock
Eddy was raised in Chicago and enjoyed both deep blues and punk rock rebellious spirit. His early musical influences were mostly derived from the tunes which appealed to his father – a man who enjoyed living blues shows in the San Francisco heart. Eddy grew up with blues rhythms, punk beats and epic riffs of Metallica courtesy of his brother’s endless album rotations. This eclectic, lively musical blend triggered something in him. Following high school, Eddy decided to take a leap ahead – he purchased a guitar for the very first time and then started participating in fusions of blues and punk. This had been actually the spark which created the sound that would turn into Sweet Undertow. Blending these various genres offered much more than a musical backdrop to Eddy’s imagination; it was a creative process itself. It fostered a curiosity to try new musical terrain. This foundation was a springboard instead of basement jam sessions or regional performances, enabling Eddy to use his influences to produce a sound that reaches a broad range of listeners today. This fusion of styles makes Eddy’s music relatable but exciting for anybody who listens.
Adventurous Spirit: Travels and Tales
Following a short stint of wildfire suppression work, Eddy’s wanderlust took him across continents carrying his guitar Darlene like a backpack. Imagine gigging in obscure Crimean bars where half the time payment was in kind from whomever may offer or playing for children in Ukrainian orphanages who probably didn’t speak his language but felt his chords. Picture Eddy strumming away in Mumbai amid honking onlookers and traffic. Then there is the time he joined a pro band in Vietnam and also became involved in local music. It is funny how these experiences seep into his tunes – each city, person and moment adding another layer of depth. Eddy has stories, too: He played at a disco in the Carpathian Mountains and received phony shoes in return. These aren’t random tales: they are adventures. They are the threads which make up his music, presenting a musician that has seen a lot yet still has something to find out. In a sea of cookie cutter artists, Eddy’s journeys help his music tell stories with a distinctive authenticity.
Sweet Undertow: A New Chapter in San Francisco
Going back to San Francisco, Eddy started to imagine Sweet Undertow. The city’s eclectic music scene made the ideal setting for Eddy making his ideas come to life. He soon met other musicians who liked that classic, timeless sound. Here he met bassist John “Big Bottom” Eckstrom, guitarist Jim Semitekol and drummer Dave Tavel. They had the talent and chemistry making Sweet Undertow come alive. As a brand new group, they laid down tracks for their first album “Skeletone Machine” at John Vanderslice’s studio. This was before the pandemic halted everything. But the pause did absolutely nothing to them – it just fueled a wish to capture the moment in its raw, urgent energy. The album includes Eddy’s distinctive combination of styles and includes tracks like “Riding on to the Light,” “Stained Glass Eyes (Bye Bye Baby),” and “One Way Ticket on a Pine Box Train.” It contains tunes with emotional underpinnings and narratives atop well known yet refreshingly new music. You get an idea of Eddy’s story and also the band’s love for storytelling-driven music while you listen.
Skeletone Machine: Songs that Speak
The songs in “Skeletone Machine” carry the weight of Eddy’s experiences wrapped in melodies that resonate universally. Inspired by greats like Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eddy has succeeded in crafting tunes that are both intimate and expansive. When you listen to songs like “Riding on to the Light,” you’re not simply hearing a story, but experiencing the journey alongside him. The melodies can shift from upbeat to contemplative, yet all while staying true to a core narrative that gets you thinking and feeling. What’s commendable is how Sweet Undertow manages to merge so many influences into something familiar yet refreshingly its own.
To dive deeper into this musical journey, you can check out Sweet Undertow on Spotify and follow them on social media. Whether you’re a fan of storytelling-driven music or just looking for something that feels both new and nostalgic, this is one band you don’t want to miss. Fill your playlist with their tunes, especially “Riding on to the Light,” and get ready for a musical journey with Sweet Undertow that will keep you hitting the repeat button.