Tag: glenn donaldson

The Reds Pinks and Purples Sign with Fire Records

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We may as well stay in Oakland at this early hour, and since I missed the original announcement, it’s time we dedicate a little of our morning to the Reds, Pinks and Purples. Glenn Donaldson andhis conspirators have spent a great portion of the last few years working voraciously for Slumberland and Tough Love, but this week they announced a signing to legendary Fire Records. Their first release will be a compilation of rare tracks, which likely includes the tune below, as it had been up for a minute on the group’s Bandcamp page; there’s a debut LP scheduled for later in 2025, which I’m sure we’ll hear more about soon! Congrats Glenn.

The Reds Pinks & Purples Announce Unwishing Well

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If I were to go full Kafka and build myself a chrysalis, I imagine that the fibers of said cocoon would be made up of the entirety of Glenn Donaldson’s musical catalog, particularly his Reds, Pinks & Purples project. Today, there’s the announcement of a new LP, Unwishing Well; I’m stuck here, drawn to this black hole that I know will crush me, grinning like a madman as it draws me into its depths. Let’s put aside the amazing vocals of Donaldson, because if you haven’t cozied up in that blanket, you’re listening to music wrong. Instead, I really focused on the way the song, whilst gentle, has great movement. It begins with an electronic wash working over a light strum, working with Glenn’s voice to sort of nip at your ears. His vocals get punctuated by the slightest thump in volume of the percussion, and as the tune moves, the gentle wash of atmospherics soaks up a more distorted sound; I love the way there’s a layered vocal on the refrain too as the track near’s its end. Honestly, there’s not a damn finer tune than this one. Unwishing Well is out April 12th via Slumberland/Tough Love Records

The Red Pinks and Purples Share New EP

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Having released The Town That Cursed Your Name earlier this year, The Red Pinks and Purples seem to have been uploading EP after EP, some new stuff, some rarities and some covers. I’m pretty sure the tracks from Murder, Oral Sex and Cigarettes are new, but to be honest, Glenn’s so prolific, you never know what’s new or what’s old but new again. What I do know, is that the RPPs Bandcamp is one of the many reasons I love the format, and one of the thing I know a lot of folks fear with the passing of the torch to whatever entity is in charge now. You can’t really go wrong with anything Donaldson pens, and there’s just something so continuously charming that you’re blessed if you have the time to invest in listening from start to finish here.

Helpful People Share Title Track from Brokenblossom Threats

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If I were to find faith in musical humanity, it has to be with people latching onto the latest from Helpful People, the duo of Carly Putnam and Glenn Donaldson. The track if fueled by this steady strum, almost muted in its notes, with little twinkles of keys or synths bubbling up from beneath to add some textural elements. Putnam’s voice is really special in this performance, never wavering from the solemnity that seems to drive each lyrical line. You can feel a bit of Glenn’s latest work slide in too, particularly in the middle of the tune where space opens up to this delighting musical excursion. Helpful People will release Brokeblossom Threats via Tall Texan on August 27th!

 

The Reds Pinks and Purples Share Title Track

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Obligatory posts are very rare, but when someone’s in the writing form like Glenn Donaldson has been, it seems like it’s a no brainer as his songs for The Reds, Pinks and Purples are that good. There’s something in the title track for The Town That Cursed Your Name that seems uplifting, spiritually, almost joyous. For me, I think that highlights some of the thematic pieces that course through the entire record, as Donaldson seems to have found solace in just creating, pushing forward to balance living and art, despite the trials and struggles artists face these days. It feels like he’s giving a voice to all those out there in the same spot, loving to create in the face of decreased opportunities. The new LP is out March 24th via Slumberland Records.

The Reds Pinks and Purples Share Is Your Mind That Free

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For some reason, every time I listen to Glenn Donaldson and the Reds Pinks and Purples, I can’t help but thinking of a father singing to their child, myself singing to my own kids in fact. There’s something in Glenn’s voice that always feels paternal, like he’s built this magical world to help us all make sure that everything on the other side is going to be alright. And in that, there’s also something sleepy that comes across, something that allows you to rest your weary eyes (or mind) for a period of time; I find that piling the whole family up on the floor of our record room at home is the best way to spend that time with Donaldson’s records. You yourself can grab ahold of They Only Wanted Your Soul when it drops on October 14th via Slumberland Records.

Glenn Donaldson Is Making Me Broke

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Okay, so maybe that’s a wee bit of hyperbole. But it seems like the last few years while many artists have struggled in the pandemic, Glenn Donaldson and his work seems to have only grown more prolific. Today, a mere weeks after the arrival of his last LP hit my doorstep (and after dropping a digital EP), the Reds Pinks and Purples announce a new mini LP of sorts. Actually, the mini LP takes a rare 7″, tosses in 6 more tracks from the band’s early days, and offers them anew. Old tunes or not, I can’t let this pass me by, can you!? They Only Wanted Your Soul is out in October via Slumberland Records.

 

The Reds Pinks and Purples Prep Still Clouds at Noon

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Glenn Donaldson continues his remarkable songwriting prowess with yet another album for The Reds Pinks and Purples, before many of us have even gotten our hands on his last LP! Personally, the opening track on the forthcoming Still Clouds at Noon might be one of my favorite Glenn performances; the musical element is striking, setting this sort of somber tone that feels like a slow-paced time lapse video. Donaldson’s voice, always familiar, feels like its one of those timeless voices that makes you nostalgic for friends and memories, drawing you deep inside his songwriting. Still Clouds at Noon will be out digitally on Friday, but no physical version is planned at this point (unless, Glenn reads this and wants me to put it out!).

The Reds, Pinks and Purples Share New Single

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Well, I’m just patiently waiting for Glenn Donaldson to give me a call and invite ATH Records to be part of the Reds, Pinks and Purples story. Sadly, my phone’s been silent, but Glenn hasn’t, releasing a brand new pair of songs the other day, even though he’s already scheduled to drop Summer at Land’s End this February. “I Still Owe You Everything” is this brilliant piece of fuzzy pop, bouncing on the backbeat as Donaldson weaves his poetry on the fogs of San Francisco. The flip side of that single is something a little different, build as a ballad atop a forlorn piano, emotively matching every vocal note, pulling on the heartstrings of every RPP fan out there. Stream it below. And Glenn, I’m here for you.

Another Track from The Reds, Pinks & Purples

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I haven’t written my Best of 2021 yet, mostly out of laziness. But, you can be sure that one thing that’s going to pop up on it is Uncommon Weather from The Reds, Pinks and Purples. That being said, Glenn Donaldson and company have already turned around and prepared another LP for release in early 2022 (I think that leaves room for another LP at the end of 2022 too!). Today there’s another wonderfully subtle pop tune, such that it will cure whatever ails you today. There’s something about Donaldson’s voice that feels like a parent comforting a child, at least that’s the way I’d like to imagine. The soften vocals and light jangles seemingly point to a brighter horizon, even amidst grim imagery like my favorite line “walking in the rain/hoping it won’t stop.” Just please, prepare to empty your wallet to buy all the Donaldson tunes in 2022. Summer at Land’s End drops at the end of January via Slumberland/Tough Love.

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