Chris Eckman is a founding member, multi-instrumentalist, co-vocalist and principal songwriter of the acclaimed, Seattle based band The Walkabouts. Formed in 1983, The Walkabouts have released over 15 albums on labels such as Glitterhouse, Virgin and SubPop. Their most recent album was "Acetylene"(2005).
His latest solo album, "Last Side of the Mountain" is released throughout Europe on November 14th (Glitterhouse Records). All the lyrics on the album are borrowed from poems written by the famed-Slovenian poet Dane Zajc. The album is richly detailed and cinematically sculpted. It includes appearances by some of the best current Slovenian musicians and guest appearances by the Polish songstress Anita Lipnicka, cult-arist extrodinaire Steve Wynn, the Apollon Chamber Orchestra and the Carnice vocal group.
Eckman's first solo album "A Janela" came out in 1999. The title is Portuguese for "The Window." The initial recordings took place in Lisbon where he was temporarily living, and continued in Portland with Larry Crane and in Seattle, with Tucker Martine. John Moen, now of The Decemberists, played drums."Black Field" released in 2004, was his second solo album. The record was recorded in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Janez Krizaj. Eckman moved to Ljubljana in 2002, and continues to reside there. The title song was inspired by a painting done by his father in-law, Nikolaj Beer. Al Deloner, Terry Lee Hale, Matt Howden, The Transmissionary Six and Jani & Sergei from the Elevators guest on the album.
An instrumental, soundtrack album "Novi Svet" came out in 2005. The music was composed for a 2-1/2 hour mini-series directed by Maja Weiss for Slovenian television.
Other performing and recording projects include: Dirtmusic, Chris & Carla, Steve Wynn & The Dragon Bridge Orchestra, Willard Grant Conspiracy (plays on several albums and recently toured as their guitarist), The Strange (a collaboration with the Croatian surf-rock band, The Bambi Molesters), Host (a duo with AL Deloner) and The Frictions (a new rock project with musicians from Hic et Nunc and Kamerad Krivatoff).
RECORD PRODUCTIONS:
Has worked on over 20 albums as either producer or co-producer.
Chris recently produced a solo album for much lauded singer/songwriter, Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate, Danny & Dusty, Smack Dab). The album, »Crossing Dragon Bridge« was recorded at Eckman's Studio Zuma in Ljubljana. It was released in April 2008.
Eckman developed a special relationship with the Norwegian band, Midnight Choir, and produced four of their albums. The 1999 album, »Amsterdam Stranded« achieved gold record status in Norway, and won the prestigious Spielmann Preis, Norway's Grammy award.
In 2005 Eckman produced »Inside Story« the second album by the Polish/Welsh duo Anita Lipnicka and John Porter. The album spent 11 weeks in the top 20 of the Polish sales charts and was certified as a gold record. Their latest Eckman-produced album, »Goodbye« was released in March 2008 and also went gold.
Other productions include: Terry Lee Hale (Seattle/Paris), Willard Grant Conspiracy (Los Angeles), Draumir (Norway), 23 & The Lipstick Painters (Belgium), Vlado Kreslin (Slovenia), Shilf (Switzerland), Ainara Le Gardon (Spain), Silvertongue (Norway), Big Sleep (Greece), Hic Et Nunc (Slovenia), Raindogs (Portugal).
SOUNDTRACKS:
As a soundtrack composer, Eckman has been involved with a variety of projects, including:
"Vsakdan ni Vsak Dan"/Everyday Is Not The Same" (2008), a short film by Martin Turk. Premiered as part of the Directors Fortnight selection at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
"Dar Fur: War For Water" (2008), a feature length doccumentary film by Tomo Kriznar and Maja Weiss.
"Instalacija Ljubezni"/"Installation of Love" (2007), a feature length film directed by Maja Weiss. The soundtrack included several compositions for a 50 piece orchestra. The film premiered at the LJubljana International Film Festival.
"Child In Time" (2004), a short film that was featured in competition at the 2005 Berlin film festival. Directed by Maja Weiss.
"Novi Svet" (2003) a five hour mini-series, directed by Maja Weiss for Slovenian television.
"Where The Air Is Cool And Dark" (1996). Directed by Brion Rockwell. Composed the soundtrack together with Carla Torgerson and Pete Gerrald. This feature film won an achievement award from the American Film Institute.
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