Temporary People
Encyclopedia
Temporary People is the seventh full-length studio album from singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Joseph Arthur
, and the second with his band The Lonely Astronauts
. The album was released on September 30, 2008 on CD in the US via Joseph's own Lonely Astronaut Records
, and made available on 12" vinyl in the US through the Lonely Astronauts website in early January 2009 (and was released commercially on February 3, 2009). The album was released in Europe, also on both CD and 12" vinyl, via Fargo Records on October 27, 2008 (CD) and February 2, 2009 (LP). The album is co-produced with Kenny Siegal, who previously worked with Joseph on his 2006 album Nuclear Daydream
, and also features guest musician Garth Hudson
of The Band
on organ
and piano
.
In a November 2008 interview with Joseph on NPR
radio, Joseph described the album as being "about a journey, reaching toward the light through your spirit, trying to overcome your demons through your spirit." He said his new listeners should start with Temporary People, adding, "It's a true record, in that it works as a record, it works as a body of work [and] it tells a story: reaching into your soul to overcome your weaknesses and survive with hope...with a rock 'n' roll soundtrack."
Stereogum.com
premiered the music video for the album's title track on August 26, 2008. The video, directed by Cerise Leang, features Joseph and the band partying at his Museum of Modern Arthur art gallery in Brooklyn's DUMBO district
. The website also posted a free MP3
download of the track as well. Shortly thereafter, a music video was produced for second single "Faith," directed by Stephen Shellenberger, and shot on a trailer park in Ipperwash, Canada
. "Faith" was released in the UK as a double A-side promo single, with "Look Into the Sky," on December 15, 2008.
Originally, as posted on Arthur's website in January 2008, his next studio album was to be a solo album titled All You Need Is Nothing with a release date of August 5.
An early, unfinalized version of Temporary People leaked onto P2P
file-sharing websites in July 2008.
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
, and the second with his band The Lonely Astronauts
The Lonely Astronauts
The Lonely Astronauts is the band originally started as Joseph Arthur's touring band. Joseph and the band have recorded and released two studio albums together thus far, titled Let's Just Be , and Temporary People...
. The album was released on September 30, 2008 on CD in the US via Joseph's own Lonely Astronaut Records
Lonely Astronaut Records
Lonely Astronaut is a record label founded by musician Joseph Arthur, his long-time professional partner Lauren Pattenaude, and Eric Gerber. The label was created in 2006...
, and made available on 12" vinyl in the US through the Lonely Astronauts website in early January 2009 (and was released commercially on February 3, 2009). The album was released in Europe, also on both CD and 12" vinyl, via Fargo Records on October 27, 2008 (CD) and February 2, 2009 (LP). The album is co-produced with Kenny Siegal, who previously worked with Joseph on his 2006 album Nuclear Daydream
Nuclear Daydream
Nuclear Daydream is the fifth full-length album by Joseph Arthur, released on September 19, 2006. It was the first release through Joseph's own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records. The album version of "Enough to Get Away" was the first single in the UK to coincide with the album's release there...
, and also features guest musician Garth Hudson
Garth Hudson
Eric Garth Hudson is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist. As the organist, keyboardist and saxophonist for Canadian-American rock group The Band, he was a principal architect of the group's unique sound...
of The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
on organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
.
In a November 2008 interview with Joseph on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
radio, Joseph described the album as being "about a journey, reaching toward the light through your spirit, trying to overcome your demons through your spirit." He said his new listeners should start with Temporary People, adding, "It's a true record, in that it works as a record, it works as a body of work [and] it tells a story: reaching into your soul to overcome your weaknesses and survive with hope...with a rock 'n' roll soundtrack."
Stereogum.com
Stereogum
Stereogum was one of the first MP3 blogs. It was created by Scott Lapatine in January 2002 with a focus on independent and alternative music news, downloads, videos, and gossip. Stereogum has received several awards and citations, including the 2008 Plug Award for best music blog, Blender's...
premiered the music video for the album's title track on August 26, 2008. The video, directed by Cerise Leang, features Joseph and the band partying at his Museum of Modern Arthur art gallery in Brooklyn's DUMBO district
DUMBO, Brooklyn
Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It encompasses two sections: one located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, which connect Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River, and another that continues...
. The website also posted a free MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
download of the track as well. Shortly thereafter, a music video was produced for second single "Faith," directed by Stephen Shellenberger, and shot on a trailer park in Ipperwash, Canada
Ipperwash Provincial Park
Ipperwash Provincial Park is a provincial park on the shores of southern Lake Huron in Lambton County, Ontario.Located near Grand Bend, the 56 hectare, or , park was established in 1936. It contains a long sandy beach on the lakeshore, as well as rare flowers and sand dunes...
. "Faith" was released in the UK as a double A-side promo single, with "Look Into the Sky," on December 15, 2008.
Originally, as posted on Arthur's website in January 2008, his next studio album was to be a solo album titled All You Need Is Nothing with a release date of August 5.
An early, unfinalized version of Temporary People leaked onto P2P
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
file-sharing websites in July 2008.
Track listing
Singles
- "Temporary People" (August 26, 2008) (video only)
- "Faith" (September 23, 2008) (U.S., radio promo single and video only)
- "Faith" (radio edit)/"Look Into the Sky" (December 15, 2008) (radio promo single only)
Album credits
- The Lonely Astronauts are:
- Joseph Arthur - vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion
- Kraig Jarret Johnson - guitar, keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals, BBQ
- Jennifer Turner - guitar, piano, keyboards, backing vocals, bass on "A Dream Is Longer Than the Night"
- Sybil Buck - bass, backing vocals
- Greg "G. Wiz" Wieczorek - drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Garth HudsonGarth HudsonEric Garth Hudson is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist. As the organist, keyboardist and saxophonist for Canadian-American rock group The Band, he was a principal architect of the group's unique sound...
- organ, piano - Brian Geltner - percussion, backing vocals
- Jena KrausJena KrausJena Kraus is an American singer/songwriter and self taught musician born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Discovered at the age of nine by vocal coach Rita Cavell and was thrust into the world of entertainment...
- backing vocals - Cerise Leang - backing vocals
- Kenny Siegal - dobro, guitar, backing vocals
- Nina Violet - strings on "Say Goodbye" and "Heart's a Soldier"
- Produced by Kenny Siegal, Joseph Arthur, and The Lonely Astronauts.
- Recorded by Tom Schick and Kenny Siegal at Old Soul Studios, and Joseph Arthur at The Diamond Room.
- Mixed by Bryce Goggin at Trout Studios.
- Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering.
- Art direction by Lauren Pattenaude and Joseph Arthur.
- Cover photography by Jelle Wagenaar (shot at Universal Display and Design).
- Additional photography by Joseph Arthur, Kraig Jarret Johnson, Cerise Leang, and Lauren Pattenaude.
- Layout and design by Lauren Pattenaude, Kraig Jarret Johnson, Greg Wieczorek, and Bryan Kveton.