The story of Explorer Tapes is a classic tale of popular music. Two musicians from the Dallas/Fort Worth area took a life-long friendship and decide to start a band. They gathered some additional talented musicians from the surrounding area, wrote songs, played shows, make videos, then packed everyone in a van and drive to Los Angeles with the hope of getting signed to a publishing company, a record label, or even better—both! This is, in fact, what happened. Not long after reaching LA, Max Townsley and Drew Erickson, aka Explorer Tapes, signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music. After writing many songs with more established writers¬¬¬¬—¬¬¬¬David Baerwald (David & David), Dillon O’Brian (Adam Cohen, Neville Brothers), Steve Lindsey (Julie Brown, Martini Ranch) —the duo even get one of their songs (“Texas Time”) recorded by Keith Urban, featured on his 6th #1 Country Album. But back to our tale…the group soon signs to Warner Bros. Records. The label assigned hot producer Mike Elizondo, a protégé of Dr. Dre and known for his production of artists as varied as 50 Cent, Eminem, Carrie Underwood, Fiona Apple and Twenty One Pilots, to record and produce Explorer Tapes. The songs and recordings came together quickly and the album was more or less done in three weeks in January 2015. And then due to a combination of many different circumstances, the record stayed on the shelf at Warner Bros. for over six years, with no release in sight…until NOW! Omnivore Recordings, in conjunction with Warner Records, is happy to finally announce the release of the debut album by Explorer Tapes. The eponymously titled collection contains fourteen pop recordings on CD (twelve on vinyl). The freshness of the songs and the sparkling production by Elizondo make this record seem like a long, lost friend and at the same time, something brand new. So, kick back, put the top down and crank up the tunes by Explorer Tapes…guaranteed to make you feel good all over.
Side A :
All Depends On You / Texas Time / A Good Friend Is Hard To Find / Julia / Kids These Days / Washed Away
Side B :
Change Looks Good On You / Radio / Everybody’s Crazy / More Than A Song Can Say / Easy To Love / Wouldn’t Change A Thing
