Loosegroove Records began in 1994 and housed side projects and tastemakers selected by its founders, Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and Brad and Malfunkshun drummer Regan Hagar. In its brief but noteworthy early years the label released music from the likes of Critters Buggin, Malfunkshun, and even the 1998 debut album by Queens of the Stone Age.
Flash forward to 2020, the record label has been revived by Stone and Hagar to release the label’s first LP in nearly 20 years. Inspired by the upcoming release of Painted Shield as well as their new found partnership with The Orchard, Loosegroove is eager to get back in business to discover new talent globally while also empowering their local music community.
Gossard and Mason Jennings, a long-time solo artist, joined forces to form the group Painted Shield. Alongside Matt Chamberlain and Brittany Davis, the band have released four singles in anticipation of their self-titled debut coming this Friday, November 27th. The group doesn’t shy away from experimentation, showcasing melodic harmonies with roots-rock, electronica and even folk elements to create a sound that is unique to only them.
The length of time in which the group spent writing the record played a major factor in the result. The album was created over a six year span which Jennings credits to providing a necessary distance. The time also gave way to a variety of content and inspiration backed by personal experiences and life changes. The space and lack of urgency allowed the group to fully realize every element of the album and fine tune those pieces that were most impactful.
For me personally, this collaboration started very innocently, so I was able to go into it without any expectations other than ‘I wonder what this could sound like?’ But that’s the fun part, when you experience the synchronicity of the people you’re involved with. A song can become like a painting or a piece of sculpture. Little by little, as you work on it, a song reveals itself and becomes what it is, and that’s what we have now.
– Stone Gossard
The musicality also treds a wide range with each track vastly different from the next. Due, in part, to that span of time but also to the band’s contributors. Every track on the album was co-written, with no one member owning any individual piece. Jennings states while reflecting on his previous solo work, “ I can’t ask for better collaborators than Stone, Matt, and Brittany. Everybody brings something special and unique to the mix. And these songs have all been co-writes which has been really fun and new for me too.” It’s almost like each of these artists were waiting for eachother. The music and connection are effortless as Gossard describes, “For me personally, this collaboration started very innocently, so I was able to go into it without any expectations other than ‘I wonder what this could sound like?’ But that’s the fun part, when you experience the synchronicity of the people you’re involved with. A song can become like a painting or a piece of sculpture. Little by little, as you work on it, a song reveals itself and becomes what it is, and that’s what we have now.”
[Creativity is] always regenerating like love or yoga or weather. It’s magic and nourishing. You just have to be open to following it where it leads you. It is trust, I suppose. Deep trust in the universe and the creative spirit.
– Mason Jennings
All in all, you can hear and feel the positivity behind the record as it radiates creative energy. The band has a passionate effervescence for what they do which makes it that much more invigorating to listen to. As Jennings discusses maintaining creativity he says, “It’s always regenerating like love or yoga or weather. It’s magic and nourishing. You just have to be open to following it where it leads you. It is trust, I suppose. Deep trust in the universe and the creative spirit.”
The Orchard is excited to partner with this talented team and deliver their music globally. Stay tuned for more projects from Loosegroove Records and enjoy Painted Shield’s self-titled release out November 27.
