Josh Kaufman (musician)

Josh Kaufman
Background information
Birth name Joshua David Kaufman
Born May 26, 1978
Paterson, NJ
Occupation(s) Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, producer
Instruments Guitar, baritone guitar, pedal steel, electric mandolin, tenor banjo, bass, keyboards, drums
Associated acts Yellowbirds, The National, Bob Weir, Josh Ritter, Paul Banks, Craig Finn, The Hold Steady, Dawn Landes

Josh Kaufman (born May 26, 1978) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, composer, arranger and engineer based in Brooklyn, NY.

Early Years

Kaufman was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and spent his first seven years moving back and forth between there and Stony Brook, Long Island due to his father’s hospital work as a rheumatologist. His family finally settled on Long Island where they would remain for much of his schooling. His interest in music stemmed from playing his parents’ record collection on a Fisher Price turntable as a small child as well as sitting with his mother at the family piano. Later, when his mother was working as a New York Times freelance arts writer, Kaufman and his brother would get to meet artists such as Levon Helm, Dr. John, Richie Havens and Albert Collins.

At around the age of 15, Kaufman began playing guitar and was taught his first chords by neighbors who required accompaniment. Shortly afterwards, while Kaufman was attending tenth grade, his father took a ten-month sabbatical and relocated the family to Madrid. Kaufman was enrolled in the American School of Madrid (ASM) where he met Paul Banks. The pair bonded over a shared love of Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, The Who, Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead, and became close friends and musical collaborators, with Kaufman acting as guitar mentor to Banks. They were asked to perform an ambient guitar score for a school production of The Lottery.

New York

The family returned to Long Island, and Kaufman, now committed to becoming a musician, began playing in high school garage bands. Largely self-taught, he decided to take music theory lessons in his senior year at high school in preparation for studying music at Third Level. After graduating, Kaufman enrolled in the State University of New York (SUNY) in New Paltz, NY. There, he worked at The Main Street Bistro as well as Jack's Rhythms record store, and frequently made visits down to New York City. During this time, Kaufman was playing in bands such as Pooja and Follow The Lieder, as well as making recordings with long-time partner (and now wife) Annie Nero.

Kaufman moved to Brooklyn after university and worked as barista while playing in various musical projects performing originals and covers. He reunited with Paul Banks for an acoustic duo just as Interpol were gaining popularity and the garage rock revival was emerging. Meanwhile, Kaufman’s friendship with the songwriter Benji Cossa resulted in a stint working at a SoHo printing press.[1] This brought him a steady income while allowing flexibility for the growing amount of touring, production and arranging work that he was doing for artists such as Dawn Landes, Josh Ritter and The National.

Josh Ritter

Kaufman became a sideman for Dawn Landes and toured regularly across the US and Europe with the singer-songwriter.[2] Kaufman befriended Landes’ then-husband Josh Ritter and the pair began collaborating, culminating in Kaufman producing and playing most of the instrumentation on Ritter’s Bringing In The Darlings EP in 2012.[3] Kaufman would also contribute guitar, electric guitar, bass, percussion and vocals as part of Ritter’s core studio team for his 2013 LP The Beast In Its Tracks[4] and become a lynchpin of Ritter’s live backing group, the Royal City Band.[5]

Bob Weir and Day of The Dead

While gigging around New York in venues such as The Living Room and the Knitting Factory, Kaufman met Bryan Devendorf of The National who were fans of Kaufman’s band Follow The Lieder. As well as assisting with the recording of Boxer, in March 2012 Kaufman was invited by the band to act as musical director for a one-off ensemble performance with Grateful Dead founder Bob Weir and a host of big names from the US indie scene (including Walt Martin of The Walkmen and Thomas Bartlett under the title "The Bridge Session".[6]

In August of that year, Kaufman was invited to be part of a tribute concert led by Weir entitled “Move Me Brightly: Celebrating Jerry Garcia's 70th Birthday”.[7] The performance took place at TRI Studios in San Rafael, California and was filmed for release as a music documentary entitled Move Me Brightly.[8]

We had a new band every day, and Josh Kaufman was the magical factor that would put the glue in the groove. He knew these guys, he knew what to expect, he knew they were gonna work, he knew they were gonna plug in. And each day in the studio was a different deal: 'OK, we’re gonna do this song and this song, and these are the guys we’re plugging in and we’ll just see what happens.' He’s a real good puppet master and, at the same time, he’s dancing on the end of the strings on some songs. It worked out real well for us and, generally speaking, that got the job done.

Bob Weir on recording with Josh Kaufman[9]

Subsequent to this outing, Kaufman was brought in to co-produce Day Of The Dead, an elaborate Grateful Dead charity tribute album with Bryce and Aaron Dessner.[10] Released in May 2016, the 59-track compilation was recorded over four years and featured a host of big names reinterpreting the Grateful Dead songbook, including Wilco, The War on Drugs, The National, Bonnie “Prince” Billy (Will Oldham), Jenny Lewis, Lucinda Williams, Mumford & Sons, Perfume Genius, Lisa Hannigan, The Flaming Lips and Bill Callahan. Proceeds from the sales of the album were donated to the Red Hot Organization.[11]

On the back of the release, Kaufman performed a special live performance of the album at the second annual Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival as part of a supergroup of various acts who had appeared on the record, including Bon Iver (Justin Vernon), Jenny Lewis, Will Oldham, Matt Berninger and Sam Amidon.[12]

In late 2015, Bob Weir revealed in an interview that he was writing songs with Kaufman and Josh Ritter for a project that had come about after Kaufman encouraged Weir to revisit the fireside songs and cowboy spirit of his teenage ranch years in Wyoming.[13] On August 4, 2016, it was announced that Bob Weir would release his first solo album in almost 40 years on September 30, entitled Blue Mountain. The album would be produced by Kaufman and feature contributions from Josh Ritter, Scott Devendorf, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Dawn Landes and many others.[14] An 11-date tour featuring a backing band made up of Kaufman and members of The National was also announced.

Craig Finn and The Hold Steady

Josh has helped me a great deal in moving forward as an artist. He has an incredible ability to quickly find what part of a song is compelling. He’s able to bring out the best in me, and to improve my songs while maintaining the qualities that make them personal to me.

Craig Finn on working with Josh Kaufman

While working in a record store in the early 2000s, Kaufman encountered the music of the Twin Cities rock band, Lifter Puller. Many years later, in 2012, Kaufman was backing Hannah Cohen during an appearance at Crossing Border Festival in The Hague, Belgium. Craig Finn, frontman of Lifter Puller and more recently The Hold Steady, was on the same bill performing solo material.[15] After watching Cohen’s set, Finn approached Kaufman about collaborating and the pair reunited back in the US at Kaufman’s studio in Dumbo. There, they worked together on music for a production of Scott Z. Burns’ play The Library before Finn lined up Kaufman to produce two solo studio albums, Faith in the Future (2015) and We All Want the Same Things (2017).[16][17]

In March 2018, The Hold Steady unveiled two new tracks, “Eureka” and “Esther” which had been recorded with Kaufman in Brooklyn.[18] Kaufman is collaborating with the group on further recordings.

Personal life

Kaufman married his long-term partner, Yellowbirds and Rocketship Park bandmate and regular musical collaborator Annie Nero in 2010. The couple gave birth to daughter Clarabelle in May 2014. They live in Brooklyn.

Selected discography

As Producer/Co-producer

  • The Hold Steady, "Eureka" b/w "Esther" single (2017) – also percussion
  • The Hold Steady, “Entitlement Crew” b/w “A Snake In The Shower” single (2017) – also organ and orchestra Bells
  • Craig Finn, We All Want The Same Things LP (2017, Partisan Records) - also vocals, guitar, mandolin, piano, organ, synthesizer, synthesizer bass, bass, overdub engineer
  • Bob Weir, Blue Mountain LP (2016, Sony Legacy) - also composer, engineer, bass, casio, drums, farfisa organ, guitars, mandolin, organ, pedal steel, piano, synthesizer, tenor banjo, vocals, wurlitzer piano
  • Various artists, Day of The Dead LP (2016, 4AD) - also bass, vocals, guitars, organ, piano, synthesizer
  • Craig Finn, Faith In The Future LP (2015, Partisan Records) - also vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, bass
  • Craig Finn, Newmyer's Roof EP (2015, Partisan Records)
  • David Wax Museum, Guesthouse LP (2015, Thirty Tigers)[19] - also engineer, mixing, vocals, guitars, piano, synthesizer, bass, percussion, organ, leona
  • David Wax Museum, Knock Knock Get Up LP (2013, Thirty Tigers)
  • Josh Ritter, Bringing In The Darlings EP (2012, Pytheas Recordings) – also plays most instrumentation[20]
  • Caithlin De Marrais, Red Coats LP (2011, End Up Records)[21]
  • Caithlin DeMarrais, My Magic City LP (2008, End Up Records)
  • Secret Dakota Ring, Cantarell LP (2008, Serious Business) – also composer, bass, glockenspiel, guitar, harmonium, percussion, piano, string arrangements

As musician, composer, arranger, songwriter

  • The War on Drugs, A Deeper Understanding LP (2017, Atlantic) – (as “Josh Kauffman”) electric guitar, vocals on “In Chains”, electric guitar on “You Don't Have To Go”[22]
  • The National, Sleep Well Beast LP (2017, 4AD) – guitars[23]
  • Josh Ritter, Gathering LP (2017, Pytheas Recordings) – guitar, synthesizer
  • Lisa Hannigan, At Swim LP (2016, PIAS Records) – electric guitar on “Snow”[24]
  • Josh Ritter, Sermon On The Rocks LP (2015, Pytheas Recordings) – acoustic, electric, 12-string Rickenbacker, slide guitar, electric mandolin, bongos, vocals[25]
  • Josh Ritter, Acoustic Live Vol. 1: Somerville Theater / Somerville, Mass live LP (2015, Pytheas Recordings) – electric guitar, nylon-string guitar, vocals[26]
  • Various artists, This Is The Town (A Tribute To Nilsson Volume 1) compilation LP (2014, The Royal Potato Family) – clavinet, guitar, guitar (acoustic), mixing, organ, standup bass, vocals[27]
  • Dawn Landes, Bluebird LP (2014, Western Vinyl) – bass, piano, vocals[28]
  • Various artists, Bob Dylan in the 80s: Volume One compilation LP (2014, ATO) – guitar, organ[29]
  • Trixie Whitley, Fourth Corner LP (2013, Unday Records) – bass, guitar
  • Yellowbirds, Songs From The Vanished Frontier LP (2013, The Royal Potato Family) – guitar, organ, vocals
  • Josh Ritter, The Beast in Its Tracks LP (2013, Pytheas Recordings) – guitar, electric guitar, bass, percussion, vocals[30]
  • Various artists, If A Lot of Bands Play in the Woods... compilation LP (2011, Tarquin) – accompanying The National, on “Twenty Miles To NH (Part 2)”
  • Dawn Landes, Sweet Heart Rodeo LP (2009, Cooking Vinyl) – composer, guitars, organ, piano, vocals[31]

Film Work

  • Paper Man (2009, feature film) – Arranger and Co-producer with Mark McAdam, pump organ, lap steel, autoharp, guitar[32]
  • Move Me Brightly (2013, concert film) – musician [33]

Other Collaborations

  • The Bridge Sessions w/ Bob Weir and members of The National – Musical director [34]
  • The Complete Last Waltz (2012, 2013, 2014, live show) – core band member

References

  1. ↑ "Josh Kaufman – Musical Jack Of All Trades". Jewcy.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Live review Dawn Landes". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "Bringing in the Darlings". Discogs. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "The Beast in its Tracks". Discogs. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "Sound Advice: Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band with Barnstar!". Citybeat. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  6. ↑ "The Bridge Session: Mission Accomplished". Headcount. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "'Move Me Brightly' Celebrates Jerry Garcia's 70th with All-Star Tribute". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "Move Me Brightly: Celebrating Jerry Garcia's 70th Birthday". IMDB. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Bob Weir and Josh Ritter in Conversation". Relix. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Day of the Dead". Red Hot. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "The National Reveal Massive Grateful Dead Tribute Tracklist Feat. The War On Drugs, Jenny Lewis, Flaming Lips, & Many More". Stereogum. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "Indie Superstars Present 'Day Of The Dead' Set At Eaux Claires". JamBase. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  13. ↑ "In Conversation: Bob Weir and Josh Ritter on Cowboy Songs and Forging an Unlikely Songwriting Bond". Relix. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  14. ↑ "Bob Weir to Release New Solo Album 'Blue Mountain'". Relix. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  15. ↑ "Crossing Border 2012". Songkick.com. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  16. ↑ "The Hold Steady's Craig Finn on New Solo LP, Songs About Girls". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  17. ↑ "Craig Finn". Partisan Records. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "The Hold Steady share two new tracks, "Eureka" and "Esther": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  19. ↑ "About". davidwaxmuseum official. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  20. ↑ "Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  21. ↑ "Exclusive: Caithlin De Marrais of Rainer Maria announces second solo album details". Altpress. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  22. ↑ "Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  23. ↑ "Sleep Well Beast credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  24. ↑ "At Swim credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  28. ↑ "Bluebird credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  29. ↑ "Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  30. ↑ "Album credits". Discogs. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "Swwet Heart Rodeo credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "Paper Man full cast and crew". IMDB. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  33. ↑ "Move Me Brightly full cast and crew". IMDB. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  34. ↑ Eisen, Benjy (2012-03-25). "Member of Grateful Dead, National, Walkmen Come Together For Bridge Session Webcast". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
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