Singer-Songwriter MAUREEN TOTH Returns with Rock Leaning ‘BLUR’ EP

May 28, 2019 by 1888media

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Maureen Toth has announced BLUR, a new 5-song set due for release on May 31. Marking her fourth studio release, the vibrant new collection of songs was produced by Carlos Calvo, a renowned Hollywood guitar teacher and prolific singer songwriter who has coached Adam Levine, David Duchovny, and Rob Morrow along with longtime Capitol Studios’ engineer Paul Smith, who’s resume includes everyone from Rod Stewart, Henry Rollins and The Jesus and Mary Chain to Michael Bublé, Bright Eyes and Loretta Lynn.

Over the course of the past year, the three songwriters have dialed into something transformative, producing five distinctive and satisfying songs exploring humanity, touching on tough subjects that highlight the human condition, and blending the folk and rock genres. Eschewing the more folk-infused sound of her previous effort, 2016’s Cut Flowers, Toth felt her new music demanded a more powerful sound.

On the bright Tom Petty stroll of the title track, Toth explores that strange state between sleeping and awake, the living and the dead and bridging that gap or blurring those lines reaching for someone you have lost. From there, the mood gets reflective on “Fundamental,” a song that was written in reaction to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks at The Bataclan. It is both about the fundamental right to live and the nature of religious fundamentalism and how it can cause people to act in extremely painful ways.

At the middle of BLUR, sequentially, and emotionally, “Deep Dark” is purposefully literal. Maureen explores despair at the state of the world but also the energy that comes from that anger and taking action in the face of futility. “It encompasses my immediate reaction to the 2016 election and the ongoing lack of humanity’s care for the planet, global warming, species extinction, etc,” says Toth. Not light but honest – she declares. Musically, the song digs deep, ending with Calvo’s searing and powerful guitar solo perfectly capturing the intensity of the subject matter.

From there, the mood gets reflective on “Fundamental,” a song that was written in reaction to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks at The Bataclan. It is both about the fundamental right to live and the nature of religious fundamentalism and how it can cause people to act in extremely painful ways.

At the middle of BLUR, sequentially, and emotionally, “Deep Dark” is purposefully literal. Maureen explores despair at the state of the world but also the energy that comes from that anger and taking action in the face of futility. “It encompasses my immediate reaction to the 2016 election and the ongoing lack of humanity’s care for the planet, global warming, species extinction, etc,” says Toth. Not light but honest – she declares. Musically, the song digs deep, ending with Calvo’s searing and powerful guitar solo perfectly capturing the intensity of the subject matter.

From there, the mood gets reflective on “Fundamental,” a song that was written in reaction to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks at The Bataclan. It is both about the fundamental right to live and the nature of religious fundamentalism and how it can cause people to act in extremely painful ways.

Bookending “Deep Dark,” is “Siren,” which addresses going out on the proverbial limb, but also being called to that edge by forces beyond your control. “It may ultimately be a satisfying journey but you know it will not be easy or pain free,” Toth offers. Closing out the compilation is the free-flowing “Island,” a jangly 6-minute jam that rides straight into the breaking sunrise.

“Island at its most basic is a love song,” Toth says. Written for her husband – the song is a more up tempo embrace of two people helping each other through the tough stuff of life. “It’s about hanging on and eventually getting through to a much lighter and clearer space,” Toth says.

Championed by Women of Substance Radio, the inherent quality in Toth’s forthright material has drawn comparisons to Patty Griffin, Joni Mitchell, and Shelby Lynne. Review Fix declared her material to be “charming coffee house concoctions, warm and full of spice” akin to Sara Bareilles, while Yahoo! Voices applauded the “beautiful storytelling” that “whisks you away like an instant getaway.”

Fresh from a successful debut at Hotel Cafe, Toth will celebrate BLUR with an intimate show at Genghis Cohen in Hollywood on May 31. The headline set will feature musicians from the record, including Calvo, bassist Dave Sutton (Lucinda Williams), and drummer Marc Slutsky (Bauhaus) with special guest vocalist Lora Ball adding harmonies.

She, along with Calvo, will then partake in Brad Colerick’s venerated Wine & Song showcase on July 24. The highly regarded series is held every Wednesday at the Arroyo Seco Country Club in South Pasadena.

BLUR
Maureen Toth – Vocals / Guitar

Carlos Calvo – Guitar / Vocals

Dave Sutton – Bass

Marc Slutsky – Drums

Nicole Washington – Backing Vocals (*except for “Island”)

Carlos Calvo – Producer

Paul Smith – Engineer/Producer