Matt Lax and Nearly Beloved
Nearly Beloved are Matt Lax-guitars, mandolin and vocals, Erik Pearson- guitar, banjo and vocals, David Rubin– drums, Paul Olguin- bass, and Peter Lax- harmonica. The album is rounded out by special guests Joe Kyle Jr.- Upright bass (The Waybacks) Jon Dryden-piano (Nora Jones’ band The Little Willies), background vocals- Richard Linley and QB Williams (The Palm Wine Boys), Sonya Hunter, Ted and Kaye Rodden-background vocals, John Mader-Drums (Booker T. Jones), and Dave Zirbel- dobro, pedal steel (Commander Cody, I see Hawks in LA). Matt’s lead vocals were recorded and produced by Mark Karan (Jemima Puddleduck, Rat Dog).
Matt Lax (nee Lacques) grew up all over California and Texas in the 1970s, and lived in Austin, TX in the early 80’s in the prime of its songwriter heyday. Finally settling in the San Francisco area in the mid-80’s, Matt ensconced himself in the African music scene and joined the band, Zulu Spear; with whom he wrote and played for 10 years. Matt penned the band’s title song for their 1991 Capitol Records release Welcome to the USA. Matt began his solo recording career in 1998 with Nearly beloved's first release, Wanderer’s Dream, an album of heartfelt torch songs with an all-acoustic lineup. In 2002 Matt Lax and Nearly Beloved released the afro-billy inspired Hurricane and Tumbleweed. 2012 Finds the band touring in Support of the lateset Attaboy Records release Where's Bob? Matt currently splits his time between playing with The Palm Wine Boys, Nearly Beloved, and teaching at Juvenile Hall in San Francisco.
Paul Olguin grew up playing music in LA. He and Matt met in a garage rehearsing with the African band Sankorfa, in 1982. Paul relocated with his wife to the Bay Area in 1998. He has played on recordings or appeared live with: The Drifters, Mazzy Star, Victor Krumenaker of Camper Van Beethoven, Terry Haggerty, Shanna Morrison, Maria Muldaur, and Jeffrey Halford and the Healers. Paul plays music full time and gives lessons out of his home in Pacifica, CA.
Erik Pearson grew up in Pennsylvania, is a graduate of Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of old-time banjo. Erik’s composition, "File and Fork" was included on the soundtrack of Sean Penn’s film Into The Wild. Erik and story-teller Diane Ferlatte’s album Wickety Wack, Brer Rabbit's Back was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006. Erik has played and recorded with Billy Talbot, The Crooked Jades, Mushroom, Sonya Hunter, and Mudhoney. Erik sang and arranged the 12 vocal parts that together are ‘The Wall of Bob!
Peter Lax (Lacques) took up the harmonica in 8th grade, inspired by Sonny Terry. In the 1980’s he lived in Austin and played in a variety of blues and country bands. The mid-80’s found him in Los Angeles where he formed the Grammy-nominated “new-wave polka” band Rotondi with brother Paul Lacques. Peter now resides in Marin County where he performs with a variety of Bay Area bands.
Dave Rubin hails from Chicago and has played everything from speed metal to be-bop. He played with New Morty Show and with Connie Champagne during the swing revival in the mid-90’s. Dave also played behind Ray White (vocalist and guitarist with Frank Zappa).
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