John Harrold Craigie III[1] (born June 15, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller.[2] Hailed as a "Modern-Day Troubadour" in the style of Woody Guthrie,[3] Craigie's comedic storytelling style has been compared to Mitch Hedberg, while his music and commitment to living on the road has drawn comparisons to Guthrie, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Pete Seeger.[2]
John Craigie | |
|---|---|
 John Craigie in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Harrold Craigie III |
| Born | June 15, 1980 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Folk, Americana, Storytelling, Comedy |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, harmonica, banjo, ukulele |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Website | www |
He has performed with or opened for Jack Johnson, Gregory Alan Isakov, Todd Snider, Paul Thorn, James McMurtry, Shawn Colvin, Sean Hayes, Nicki Bluhm, Aoife O'Donovan, ALO, Shook Twins, Rainbow Girls, Avett Brothers, The Infamous Stringdusters[4] and Trampled by Turtles.[5][citation needed]
Early life
editJohn Craigie was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is the grandson of U.S. Air Force general Laurence Craigie. He attended college at UC Santa Cruz in Northern California, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics. In Santa Cruz he began performing live music in local venues and house parties, first as lead singer and guitarist in a psychedelic rock band, "Pond Rock", then solo as a folk singer-songwriter and storyteller.[6] He self-released several albums of songs in this period before his first major studio album, 2009's Montana Tale.[7]
Music career
editCraigie is best known for his live performances which blend folk songwriting with comedic storytelling.[8] His 2016 live album, Capricorn In Retrograde… Just Kidding… Live in Portland, wound up on Jack Johnson's car stereo on a drive up the California coast, prompting Johnson to ask Craigie to open for him on 11 dates of his 2017 national Summer tour.[9][10] Throughout the tour, Johnson brought Craigie on stage during his set to co-perform Craigie's song, "I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man"; the pair released a single of the song, recorded live at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California.[10]
Craigie has released nine studio albums, two live albums, two cover albums, and one live cover album. His album No Rain, No Rose, released in 2017, was recorded in his Portland-home living room, and features Gregory Alan Isakov and Shook Twins.[9][11] 2020's Asterisk The Universe features Rainbow Girls and was recorded with friends in a Northern California cabin.[12]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Montana Tale ( Zabriskie Point Records, 2009)
- October is the Kindest Month (Zabriskie Point Records, 2011)
- The Apocalypse Is Over (Zabriskie Point Records, 2013)
- Working On My Farewell (Zabriskie Point Records, 2015)
- No Rain, No Rose (Zabriskie Point Records, 2017)
- Scarecrow (Zabriskie Point Records, 2018)
- Asterisk The Universe (Zabriskie Point Records, 2020)
- Mermaid Salt (Zabriskie Point Records, 2022)
- Pagan Church (Zabriskie Point Records, 2024)
Live albums
edit- Capricorn in Retrograde...just kidding...Live in Portland (Zabriskie Point Records, 2016)
- Opening for Steinbeck (Zabriskie Point Records, 2017)
- Greatest Hits... Just Kidding... Live - No Hits (Zabriskie Point Records, 2024)
Cover albums
edit- Leave the Fire Behind (cover versions of 1990s alternative rock songs, Zabriskie Point Records, 2012)[13]
- Paper Airplane (cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs, Zabriskie Point Records, 2012)[13]
- Abbey Road Lonely (cover of the Beatles' Abbey Road,[14] Zabriskie Point Records, 2022)
References
edit- ^ "ALL THE SALT". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Pierce, Jacob (January 8, 2013). "John Craigie's Traveling Musical Adventure". Santa Cruz.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
- ^ Dicks, Brett Lee (April 9, 2009). "John Craigie's Travelin' Songs". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ https://www.jazznearyou.com/minneapolis/the-infamous-stringdusters-john-craigie-infamous-stringdusters-at-8-00-pm-on-march-14
- ^ "Step Inside This House » Blog Archive » One to Watch: John Craigie". www.gregrobson.net. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ Eisert, Jason (July 2, 2013). "INTERROGATION: JOHN CRAIGIE". anchoragepress.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014.
- ^ "AllMusic Discography for John Craigie". AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ Brewer, Jude. "Endings – Storytellers Telling Stories".
- ^ a b "Live Sessions: John Craigie". NPR Music. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "Jack Johnson & John Craigie Share Live Version Of 'I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man' to Help Save the Earth: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "John Craigie Isn't Afraid of Intimacy". Willamette Week. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "John Craigie Has A Knack For Spinning Stories". NPR. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "Folk singer Craigie creates travelogue through music". The Spokesman-Review. April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ RSD '22 Special Release: John Craigie - Abbey Road Lonely, retrieved February 19, 2024