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Sunday Music Spotlight - Deer Tick

November 4, 2007 in Music, Spotlight by Sean | No comments

Deer Tick - An indie singer/songwriter from Rhode Island
It’s not often you come across a musical act named for a bug that someone found on their head. Deer Tick’s songs mix Delta Blues, straight-ahead country, and old school rock n’ roll into an emotionally-charged melange of musical flavors. All of the songs are infused with a distinctive voice, which at times recalls a young Tom Waits. The man behind the voice is John McCauley, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist behind the name Deer Tick.

Born and raised in Providence, RI, McCauley realized at a young age that he wanted to be a musician, even going so far as to dress up like Roy Orbison to entertain people. To pursue his dream he took bass lessons and taught himself how to play drums, piano and pedal steel guitar. When he couldn’t find a guitar player he like he taught himself how to play that too, taking instruction from a Beatles book. Once he graduated from high school (in 2004, and yes, I feel old) he hit the road to make the dream into a reality.

Deer Tick’s first CD, War Elephant came out in September on Feow! Records. McCauley played all the instruments on some of the tracks. On the rest he was joined by his friend Nat Baldwin’s band The Bohemians.

Deer Tick - Art Isnt Real City Of Sin

Deer Tick - Baltimore Blues No 1

“Kiss all the saviors goodbye. Offer them up to the dead.” Having worked in downtown Baltimore for six years that sounds about right to me…

Bonus Videos

I have no idea what this song’ called, but it kicks ass.