The composer and performer of music
known as Stephen Lantz has released his second official single for
2015, “Chasin' the Sunbeams.” The single comes on the heels of
his popular, upbeat rock track, “High Sonority,” which introduced
audiophiles around the world to this masterful virtuoso of
instrumental music. Warm, invigorating, and easily accessible to
listeners of all ages and genres, “Chasin' the Sunbeams” is a
jubilant instrumental track that makes daylight seem all the
brighter.
Stephen Lantz is known for writing
songs which showcase the rich, clarion tones of particularly
beautiful musical instruments. He plays these instruments in such a
way as to blend them seamlessly into the composition, so seamlessly
that the listener hears only the song itself, rather than its various
parts.
“Chasin' the Sunbeams” is a piece
fronted by a lively mandolin, one of a host of instruments at which
Lantz is clearly adept. The single differs from Lantz's “High
Sonority” by straying from classic-rock foundations in favor of the
American bluegrass tradition. His straightforward, unpretentious
mandolin playing combines with the intuitive natural flow which
characterizes his songwriting to pull both performer and listener
alike headfirst into the sound. Aficionados will agree that the
overall experience of “Chasin' the Sunbeams” is reminiscent of
Irish and British folk music in its tasteful, minimalist composition.
Stephen Lantz's artistic inspirations
come from every point on the compass rose. He has cited the folk
music of Peter, Paul and Mary and Pete Seeger, the classic rock of
Cream and the Rolling Stones, the “light” rock of the Beatles,
Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles, the bluegrass music of Front Range,
Hot Rize and Lester Flatt, and the true country-music sounds of Merle
Haggard and Jerry Jeff Walker. That his own sound demonstrates his
familiarity with all of these so palpably is undeniable.
Speaking of his long history in music,
Lantz writes, “My dad could sing western songs really well and
could also play his own guitar accompaniment with skill. My mom was
also a good singer and pianist. With such musical parents, I was
hooked on music!”
It wasn't country which finally snared
the artist, however. Lantz cut his teeth playing live rock music
onstage for more than a decade.
“In my college and post-college
years,” he writes, “I played in a great band with my good friends
for about twelve years. We were a variety band and could do hard
rock, rock, ballads, show tunes, country and western, blues and even
bluegrass when my late brother played with us. Our vocals were truly
superior and we could hold our own on the instruments, too.”
Like most musicians, however, he's had
to leave the stage to make room for the rest of life, dedicating his
talents to the music studio, instead.
“Then came job responsibilities,
children, etc. and my music got relegated to the back burner for the
most part. Now I've got more space and want to share my music with
listeners to provide them with uplifting enjoyment.”
“Chasin' the Sunbeams” by Stephen
Lantz is available online worldwide beginning 9 April 2015. Get in
early, music fans. Be sure not to miss his previous official single,
“High Sonority,” online for listening and download everywhere.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
www.MondoTunes.com
“Chasin' the Sunbeams” by
Stephen Lantz –
