We as people, much like the art we consume, are the evolving culmination of experience and influence. Though art is easily digested and interpreted; to truly connect with the creative behind the artwork and build community, we must inquire about their road traveled. Lucas Carpenter, “The Mad Scientist of Music” or “Art Kid From the Country,” has had an expansive journey thus far & has recently embarked on his next chapter of music + life.
Everything began for Carpenter in rural Pennsylvania - expansive land, with a small-town mindset that felt cozy; but would encourage him to see what else the world had to offer. Growing up above a funeral home made for an array of intrigue and paths of oddities he could have chosen to explore. It was at age 13, the mishap purchase of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by The Beatles, would serve in shifting his artistic nature towards the realm of music. Theatre is where he began to find his publicly creative soul and a craft he has continued to align his heart with throughout his career and life. Years of choir camp, local gigs, and delving into the origin of instruments + their cultural history led to Carpenter seeking out and pursuing a further education in music. He set forth to his first taste of city life at the University of Pittsburgh, but his time there seemed to fall on a flat note. Trekking on to Berklee College of Music next; he was able to deep dive into songwriting in the melting pot of Boston. Sharing classrooms with an international array of creatives and music’s heavy-hitters at the helm of the curriculum, Lucas Carpenter honed his craft and quasi-quwelled his cultural curiosities.
Taking his show on the road for an expanded audience was the next logical step. Touring, however, poses serious fiscal challenges for budding artists. Luckily, Carpenter thought to expand upon his niche, one-person looping techniques - maximizing on the nomadic life that was calling his name and musical expression. What began as a necessity, quickly transitioned live looping into his signature technique. Carpenter became his own auxiliary player - adding penny whistles, percussion, keyboards, and a multitude of other nuances to his audacious performances. With a sonically stimulating and visually appealing live set, unlike most have seen, he was able to share stages with every genre of fellow musician. Just when it all seemed to be hitting a melodic stride, tragedy struck when Carpenter’s touring van was broken into and all of his performance equipment was stolen. This seemed to not just be a somber moment, but almost the closing of an entire era - similar to when a band pulls out the acoustic track at the end of a high-energy album, leaving listeners unaware of where to go next.
In the wake of starting over from square one, Lucas Carpenter followed his heart to Nashville. He had always seen himself there - rubbing shoulders with the creative community and finding inspiration in the reminiscence of college songwriting workshops that had first piqued his interest in the city. Building back his renegade of instruments set Carpenter off on the idea to build a complete home base. This would not be someplace to “settle,” but rather a home studio where he could work through every quirky lyrical thought and hone in on where to take his music next. While adding the finishing flare to his home and gear, Carpenter connected with the local community through shows, traveled to soak up the cultural connection he always strived for, and took time to simply live life.
Inspiration glittered like gold again, when he hit the studio with Kevin Rooney (Auxiliary Player + Producer // Rascal Flatts.) Countless late night drives, over years of touring were filled with Carpenter belting out the Rascal Flatts discography; making Rooney the perfect person to entrust production with, as this next chapter was emerging. Lucas Carpenter channelled his life of the past, his daydreams of idyllic relationships, and the emotions that came with the writing process in order to weave intricate stories in song-form. His natural gift of storytelling and unique approach to instrumental looping are paving the way for him to usher in a new wave of singer/songwriter. Though touring is paused at the moment, he is looking at this time as a way to creatively share his story and live show through new and exciting visual endeavors from home. ‘The Shimmer’ is a reflection on the journey Lucas Carpenter has long been on and the gratitude he has for both the highs and lows that have come along the way. This collection of songs is a new beginning and one that is sure to connect listeners, not just with the music, but with the artist behind it.