Aaron Crawford and The Badcards + Shade Parade

When you listen to Aaron Crawford you're instantly struck; by his sound - part So Cal punk, part rockabilly, part rootsy troubadour, by his songwriting - honest, open and relatable, and by his obvious fearlessness to stand up for what he believes in, no matter what the cost. His desire for truth shows in the musical messages Crawford delivers in his songs. Not one to walk away from something he's passionate about, it motivates him to hold the bar high for himself. A bold performer, who fronted punk scenesters Rude Buddha, he stops at nothing to achieve his goal. "I'm inspired by any story, or person who has had to fight to get what they have, and lives with no regrets."

In February 2011, Aaron entered Hollywood Sound Recorders, a Los Angeles based studio with Producer/Percussionist Larry Ciancia, who's studio and performance credits include artists like Ben Taylor, Fiona Apple, Everlast, Ray LaMontagne, Carly Simon and Herbie Hancock. Ciancia's first task was getting a band around Aaron to compliment his diverse writing style. In doing so he enlisted the help of guitarist Joel Shearer (Alanis Morrisette, Pedestrian, Dido) to engineer and perform on the record as well as keyboardist Adam Macdougall (The Black Crowes, Macy Gray) to fill out the recordings, giving them a vintage rock sound full of life, character, and soul. Ken Barnum, D.C. punk bassist, engineer and good friend of Aaron's was also brought on to fill out this incredible studio band. During a short pre-production period, Ciancia had Aaron co-write with a few different writers including '09 Grammy winner Joshua Lopez on a song called "Next to You", an energetic "Clash" style number that Aaron fell in love with the moment he heard it. Then the group hit the studio. The recording sessions, described by Aaron as "magical and memorable" proved amazing, cranking out 5 completed songs in 4 days of tracking! Shortly after, Shawn Everett was brought on to mix. Shawn, best known for his work with Weezer, Jakob Dylan and Pete Yorn, brought out the best in the recordings, which can be heard throughout the LA sessions. "Bad Habit" which has enough back to be appreciated by even the most hardcore rapper, is a song of revelation and realization, discussing the age old topic; "Is it the sex or the person?" The track slams throughout, moving from hip danceable verses, to huge pop choruses, while "Don't Stop" and "Let Go" show the honesty, and relate ability of a good song, discussing topics of believing in someone, and moving on. Of the newly recorded numbers, "Breathe" is the most intimate, explaining that music is Aaron's home, and through music he is never without shelter. Adam MacDougall's performance on the grand piano in "Breathe", turns this song into a beautiful ballad reminiscent of early Elton John that will take your breath away.

Aaron then headed home and combined these recordings, with recordings from late 2010, which includes the songs, "Sick Sick Love", a grungy brit-rock banger discussing the topic of using sex as a weapon to elevate, and rise above drama, "Black White Radio", which asks the question "should I waste my time on MTV"? And Locket, a mysterious Latin influenced punk song about a key and lock Aaron wears around his heart to complete the yet to be released album, "The Wager". Brian Lucey, who received a Grammy for his work with The Black Keys in 2011, was brought on to master and complete the record. Bratty at times, honest and direct at others, "The Wager" truly encompasses Aaron's wont back down spirit and showcases his ability with maturity and swagger. Song writing is Aaron's base, on some tracks beautiful and gentle, on others combative and belligerent, but never hiding behind a mixed message. With Aaron Crawford, what you hear is what you get.

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