Dusty Wright

Dusty Wright forges a singular identity as guitarist, singer, and composer through an unusually wide stylistic span that stretches from Byrds-inflected psychedelic folk to brooding, shadowy atmospheric works evoking the John Cale period of the Velvet Underground. Hearing several of his recordings in succession can evoke the sense of "Michael Nesmith At Max's Kansas City" with a youthful, pre-acid casualty Syd Barrett joining the session. Born and schooled in Akron, Ohio, where he earned a B.A. in Fine Arts, Wright passed through groups including the Trolls before establishing the Bastards of Execution. Subsequent projects—the Dusty Diamonds and the Wright Brothers—preceded his move into solo work, where he located a personal mode of expression that drew on musical Americana stretching from Jimmie Rodgers through Nesmith's cosmic country explorations. He has penned tributes to major sports such as "Baseball (America's Game)" and assembled roots-rock and country ensembles like the Bush Hogs and the Concrete Canyon Cowboys, while also venturing into more experimental territory via GIANTfingers, a chamber-folk quartet reminiscent of the early Velvet Underground. His concept album Dust! stands as a remarkable accomplishment, comparable to a drug experience yet more rewarding, as it seamlessly, cleverly, and engagingly traverses country, blues, psychedelic, and space-rock sonic landscapes.