JP DEN TEX
JP DEN TEX (originally from Amsterdam, Holland) is a modern-day troubadour and storyteller, mixing up Rock and Americana with South American rhythms and European influences such as French chanson. In the past some critics have dubbed his music “Beatnik Americana”, referring to JP’s quirky, adventurous brand of Americana.
JP's first notable musical adventure was in the mid 70’s as a member of Tortilla, a legendary Dutch band whose music would now be described as alt.country. Later, in the 80’s, Den Tex recorded some critically acclaimed solo albums. At the beginning of the 90’s JP interrupted his activities to participate in the rebellious retro ensemble Les Gueux . A strong belief in the value of continental musical traditions lay at the heart of the group's formation. In 1998 he went back to his own rootsy origins, accompanied by his sensational new backing band. "Painstakingly honest, that’s how I'd like to be" JP wrote in the CD booklet. The “Emotional Nomads” album turned out a real break-through. It was followed up by the cheerful "Latin" desolation of Hotel Yankee Tango (2000), also produced by guitarist Jac Bico.
On the serial albums “Bad French” (2007) and “American Tune” (2009, recorded with new guitarist Yvonne Ebbers) JP’s lust for travel brought the listener to the US: a European non-fiction writer sets out on a low-budget fact-finding trip from New York City to San Francisco, to gather information for his new book (“The American Dream – Does It Still Exist?”). Somewhere along the dented road he picks up disheveled Russian Elena, a former escort girl who dreams of starting a new life in California. Together they discover the various states they’re passing through, all the while mixed-up in a romantic love affair destined to go awry. The album story was later adapted for the stage and resulted in the successful theatre show “American Tune” (2009-2010)
Though JP’s latest CD “Speak Diary” (2011) is yet another concept album, it taps into a wholly different source. On a chilly September morning the singer wakes up to find he’s no longer interested in his own future. New CD, New Tour, it has been an ongoing routine for years on end. Now, for the first time in his life this ‘quintessential dreamer’ starts looking back. For accurate information regarding his past he turns to his well-kept diary, just to realize it doesn’t give him a clue about what really happened over all those years. As his diary – with hindsight - proves little more than an ‘emotional safety valve’, just a way to blow off steam.
At long last he takes a dive into his collection of old demos: he decides to rerecord some of them, in order to get connected to times gone by. And it works! During the sessions he finds a new way to make peace with his past. Listen to “Angela”, dedicated to a teenage love affair with an Italian girl, way back in 1969, or the tragically funny “The Year Of The Gigolo” (1994).
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