In case you like music that causes you to feel right in the feels with a foot tap, you have to meet Sweet Undertow. They are a group which plays bluesy Americana with a country & rock touch. It is a project centered around Chicago native Eddy Undertow. Eddy has this bizarre combination of music influences. He’s listened to the vintage blues records his dad liked, acquired some punk attitude and accomplished what seems like a personal quest. It is like he is revealing a window into his existence with his first album “Skeletone Machine”. This particular album is more than music. It reads like a narrative, a travel diary with rhythm. Eddy isn’t stuck to tunes; He’s telling tales with melodies echoing his travels. Imagine trundling through Eastern Europe, jamming in a Crimean restaurant or even even playing for children at a Ukrainian orphanage. That’s the kind of experience Eddy is bringing you, sound – wrapped. And it is those little stories and adventures that make his music grounded yet ready to sweep you away. You are not just listening; You are going on a journey and in case you love music with a story, check out Sweet Undertow.
The Windy City Origins
Eddy is rooted in Chicago, a city recognized as a musical giant, particularly on blues. Eddy grew up with a varied musical palate influenced by many different sounds. At home he was frequently entangled between his brother’s endless Metallica playlists and the vintage blues records his dad accumulated. It had been more than music. This had been part of the family tapestry. But beyond those walls, Chicago had music Eddy could not dismiss. Local rhythms and beats entered his consciousness and turned into part of his musical DNA. After high school Eddy ultimately purchased a guitar. This was no new pastime; this was more than a hobby. It was more like taking a call. When he began strumming those strings something happened. His playing style included elements of punk and blues influenced by different sounds he had experienced through time. These very early experiments had been only the start of the path which would ultimately result in the soulful, genre-blending music he produces with Sweet Undertow nowadays.
An Uncharted Journey
The thing that makes Eddy’s story intriguing is his apparent desire for exploration – literally and musically. Imagine this: Following a brief fight with wildfires he took his guitar around Europe and Asia. He did not play in the typical spots. His gigs occurred where you’d never ever expect them in a travel guide. We are talking about bars in Crimea you are able to barely pronounce, performances at Ukrainian orphanages, gigs in the slums of Mumbai, and joining a Vietnamese band for the ride. There are more tales to tell, like just how he got paid out with fake shoes after dancing at a Carpathian disco. These tales are more than tales. They’re the lifeblood of his music, each adventure having an individual, worldly texture. Eddy’s songs are stories told in the universal language of music – a combination of cultures which gives his music a passport-like quality – taking listeners on a trip without leaving home.
Sweet Undertow’s Homecoming
Back home in San Francisco, Eddy discovered the right setting to give Sweet Undertow new life. The city’s lively atmosphere and misty shores provided a backdrop to his music. Eddy wanted the right individuals to help him produce his sound. That is when keyboardist John “Big Bottom” Eckstrom, guitarist Jim Semitekol and drummer Dave Tavel came in. These people had been more than bandmates; they were buddies. They agreed on Eddy’s vision and admiration for story-driven music. Collectively they huddled in the studio with producer John Vanderslice. It was an electric time, prior to the pandemic put the world on pause. From these sessions came “Skeletone Machine,” a journey which Eddy took and causes you to want to take a road trip for your ears. Songs like “Riding on to the Light” offer up storytelling wrapped in roots rock. It is raw, real and it is evidence of everything you are able to do with heart, soul and a dash of San Francisco magic.
A Unique Musical Palette
Affected by Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sweet Undertow does more than imitate these timeless sounds. Eddy’s voice has a memory quality to it and, paired with the band on their instruments, produces listening that’s like a buddy telling tales about their adventures. Each track appears to usher in stories, both new and nostalgic. Songs like Stained Glass Eyes (Bye Bye Baby) and One Way Ticket on a Pine Box Train have Sweet Undertow taking you on an emotional roller coaster. The music is comforting yet wildly new, every note a call to tell another story. These tracks are like little personal soundtracks for listeners – pulling you in and holding you in till the last chord fades.
Fans value the down-to-earth yet expansive vibe and the vulnerability and strength in the lyrics. Sweet Undertow tells tales with experiences – several rooted in Eddy’s travels, others in universal feelings – in their songs. This ability to make music that is personal and inclusive makes Sweet Undertow a band to watch. Regardless of whether you are driving down a lengthy freeway or curling up at home, these tunes fit perfectly into everything and also allow you to feel like a character in the story they are telling.
Get Connected with Sweet Undertow
Now that you’ve gotten a glimpse into Eddy Undertow’s world, it’s time to dive deeper. Explore their complete discography on Spotify to discover why Sweet Undertow has been gaining attention with their distinct and honest sound. If stories intertwined with music are what you seek, don’t miss out on checking out “Riding on to the Light” and other gems from their catalog. Follow Sweet Undertow on social media to keep up with their latest releases and hear more of their story that is sure to charm any music enthusiast. Make sure to give their tunes a listen and let the music take you on a journey of your own.
