STAN SNOW

track-list:
Guard
Chemical Fallacy
Now
Fight
Gone Too Fast
Insanity Repeats
Trouble
Into the Great Beyond
Jungle
Try
Change
Seasons
Jungle (AltMix)

Stan Snow – vocals, guitars, bass, keys, mandolin, songwriter, producer, arranger, engineering
Valerie Pinkston – backing vocals 2,4,7,8,10,11
Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums 2,3,11
Ben Smith – drums and percussion 4 -10,12, 13
Lyle Workman – lead guitar 11, drum session engineering 2,3,11, mixing 13
Eric Patterson – horn arrangements and tenor sax 2, 8
Javier Gonzalez – trumpet 2
Don Gunn – drum session engineering

From previous Sundogs albums…
BreakingAndEntering.Net:
“EVERY TUNE ON THIS ALBUM GETS TO A MOMENT OF PERFECTION”
AudibleAddixion.com:
“THE SUNDOGS CRACK THE ‘CODE’ TO AN AWESOME CLASSIC ROCK AND JAZZ FUSION ALBUM…….make sure to stream it…. You won’t regret it.”
NewSickMusic.com:
“SUNDOGS RELEASE VIBRANT AND VERSATILE RECORD ….They have no limit…..they are wielders of grandness.”
NoHoArtsDistrict.com:
“Great songs, brilliantly produced and played.”
theFarSightedblog.com:
“Like a classic rock’s greatest hits compilation.”
ThatMusicMag.com:
“The instrumentation and musicians are phenomenal.”
Music-News.com:
“Vocals on ‘Freedom’ really make it soar…..aided by the help of Alan White’s (YES) propulsive drumming.”
AntiMusic.com:
“Everything on this album is expertly played and enjoyable. …..this act is equally skilled at writing literate lyrics…… It’s that good.”

Seattle musician Stan Snow is a busy man.
When he’s not playing with his acclaimed band The Sundogs, he’s creating vibrant new Indie Rock, Americana and Classic Rock music solo, albeit with a host of A-List collaborators.
His new full-length album ‘Into the Great Beyond’ features the likes of Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Valerie Pinkston (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston), Lyle Workman (Sting, Beck), and Ben Smith (Heart) among others.
Through all of his work, a selfless wisdom pervades the lyricism, giving an uplifting, wholehearted energy to the seasoned, groove-heavy rock n’ roll on display.
Stan Snow is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, engineer and filmmaker.
In recent years he has released 4 albums with the Sundogs, and has recorded with Alan White, Abe Laboriel Jr., Lyle Workman, Valerie Pinkston, Larry Goldings, Gregg Bissonette, Ben Smith, Keb’Mo’ and many others.
‘Into the Great Beyond’ finds Stan Snow’s storytelling in full bloom as he takes on themes both universal and deeply personal with great ease.
There are songs about Ukraine (Insanity Repeats), Covid/suvivalism (Chemical Fallacy), money laundering and drug running (Into the Great Beyond)…songs about the people we have lost (Gone Too Fast), hanging in there (Try), cheaters (Trouble), being present (Now), new relationships (Fight), being vulnerable (Guard), mind games (Jungle), dealing with challenging times (Change), and navigating transitions in life (Seasons).
‘Guard’:
“I’ve always been a fan of John Leventhal. The tuning that I used on this song is one that John has used for years. It sets up a style of playing that is unique. I usually come up with the music first and then add melody and words. Sometimes it happens quickly. Sometimes it takes awhile. James Taylor once said ‘it’s remarkably gratifying to solve a puzzle like a song. The moment at which you get it right…. is an unbearable thrill. It’s as high as you get’. ‘Guard’ is a song about being vulnerable. It’s about learning from our past and realizing that we sometimes have to let our guard down to get through difficult times. I wrote this song on a Martin 000-28 acoustic guitar tuned to CGDGBE. Used a Fender fretless electric bass, added a ‘61 Fender telecaster, and percussion.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass, drums and percussion
‘Chemical Fallacy’:
“During COVID, ……times were crazy, as we all know. Two extremes. Different perspectives. Some people didn’t want to get vaccinated. Others did. Survivalists got active. It was hard times for many. ‘Chemical Fallacy’ is a song about some of the perspectives that people had, and some of the things they did. I wrote this song on a ’61 tele right after I received it in the mail. Pulled it out of the box and played the riff that became the song. After I finished the basic tracks and vocals, I went to Los Angeles to record Abe Laboriel Jr. at Lyle Workman’s studio. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Lyle and I have been friends for more than 40 years. Lyle and Abe toured together with Sting. Abe has been Paul McCartney’s drummer for more than 20 years. A chance to have Abe play on a few of my tracks was an incredible rush. He is amazing and so much fun. Valerie Pinkston sings backing vocals on 6 songs on this album. This was my first chance to work with her. She comes up with fabulous parts and sings them beautifully. She can sound like a choir and dance like an angel. Eric Patterson and I wrote the horn parts together. Eric is a very talented musician who I’ve known since he was 10 years old. He’s playing tenor sax on this tune and mixed the horns. Javier Gonzalez, also very talented, is playing trumpet.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, keys, bass
Abe Laboriel Jr. drums
Valerie Pinkston: backing vocals
Lyle Workman: drum session engineering
Eric Patterson: horn arrangement, tenor sax
Javier Gonzalez: trumpet
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Now’:
“This song started with an acoustic guitar part and vocal harmonies. I built it from there. It’s a fanfare. A song about staying after it and being present as we age. People are the most important thing in life. Relationships. Believing in each other and ourselves. Doing the best we can along the way. Forgiveness. Gratitude. Finding joy. Allowing ourselves and others to fail. And then, getting stronger, as much as we can, at every stage. Abe Laboriel Jr. gave an epic performance on this track. Lyle and I were marveling at him as we watched him play this live in Lyle’s studio. His smile and laughter at the end of the video are priceless. I’m playing a Gibson SJ-200 acoustic, a 60’ Les Paul through a ’59 Fender twin, and a Fender Precision bass. There is also a ’61 Fender tele in there.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass
Abe Laboriel Jr. drums
Lyle Workman: drum session engineering
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Fight’:
“In the beginning of relationships people often struggle over the decision to go forward or break things off. Is this the right person for me? What do we have in common? Will the relationship stand the test of time? Is this only a fling? Or is there something more? Under these circumstances we might fight with ourselves. Things might not make a whole lot of sense. We might be in love. We might not. That’s what this song is about. Ben Smith is playing drums and percussion. Ben plays on 8 songs on this album. This is the first of those 8. He is a super talented musician and all around great guy. I feel lucky to record with him. I’m playing a Gibson J-45 acoustic with an alternate tuning, a Music Man StingRay 5-string electric bass, and a ’61 Fender telecaster. Valerie is singing backing vocals.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass
Valerie Pinkston: backing vocals
Ben Smith: drums and percussion
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Gone Too Fast’:
“This song is about the people we’ve lost. Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, people we admire and/or were inspired by, etc. I lost my dad in 2018 and my mom in 2022. Each time someone passes away we grieve and lose a part of who we are, but we retain the memories and the hope that somehow we might be reunited someday. This song was inspired by Paul Simon, Mark Knopfler, Billy Joel, the Beatles, George Martin, Todd Rundgren, Bruce Hornsby, Crosby, Stills, Nash, the Beach Boys and many others. I’m playing a Yamaha U3 upright acoustic piano, a Rickenbacker bass, a Gibson SJ-200 acoustic guitar, a Rickenbacker 6 string electric, and an orchestral string section via Spitfire.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, piano, guitars, bass, orchestra
Ben Smith: drums
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Insanity Repeats’:
“When news broke about the Russians invading Ukraine it was gut wrenching and mind boggling. How could this kind of insanity repeat itself after all that has happened in the past? Haven’t human beings learned their lesson? Throughout history we’ve seen this kind of injustice many times – Hitler, Stalin, the Crusades, the Romans, etc….This song is what came out of me as I watched the horrific scenes that played out on the media during the invasion of Ukraine. Inspired by David Crosby and Michael Hedges, I played a Martin D-28 tuned to EBDGAD, a Fender fretless electric bass, and an Xotic Strat. I was also inspired by David Gilmour on the guitar solos.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass
Ben Smith: drums
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Trouble’:
“Sometimes, when I’m writing a tune I don’t know what it’s going to be about until I create the first few lines. On this song, I came up with the opening guitar riff and the lyric followed. Turns out the song is about cheating. Peggy catches her man cheating with another woman. She then gets her gun, loads it and proceeds to head down the path towards the gallows, if she decides to pull the trigger. She is delaying her decision, drinking heavily, and contemplating her next move. Will she kill him? We don’t know. What we do know, is that she’s in trouble. I played a Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic (signed by Sheryl Crow), a Rickenbacker bass, a ’60 Les Paul, an Asher lap steel, a ’61 tele, a Gretsch Duo Jet and a Hammond B3 organ by Arturia.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, keys, bass
Valerie Pinkston: backing vocals
Ben Smith: drums
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Into the Great Beyond’:
“For this track I was going for lots of percussion and world music influences similar to Paul Simon’s Graceland album and Rhythm of the Saints. As I started writing the lyric and melody over the guitar riff I began thinking about the drug running and money laundering that exists in the Caribbean and South America. My wife and I have been to Antiqua and have seen the coast of Venezuela from the island of Curacao. We have not personally seen drug runners or money launderers, at least as far we know, so I was basing my lyrics on some of the movies and shows I’ve seen. Ben Smith pulled out all of the stops on this one….drums, jembes, congas, tambourine, shakers, seed pods and goat’s toenails. Valerie came up with some really cool vocal parts. Eric Patterson played tenor sax. I played an Xotic Strat, a ’60 Les Paul, a Hammond B3 organ by Arturia, an accordion plugin by Sonokinetic, and a Fender Precision bass.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, keys, bass
Valerie Pinkston: backing vocals
Ben Smith: drums and percussion
Eric Patterson: horn arrangement, tenor sax
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Jungle’:
“The jungle of the mind can be extremely complicated. At various stages in our lives we can find ourselves in the swamp or bog of despond. Sometimes we can find our way out. Other times we need help. If we don’t find our way, we might lose hope. And that can be game over for some people. I sometimes try to view it as an adventure. Embrace it. Figure it out. Go with what works. Learn from the past. Move forward and don’t give up. I’m playing a Gibson F-5 mandolin, a Fender fretless electric bass, and an orchestral string section via Spitfire. Ben Smith is playing drums, congas, jembe, tambourine and shakers.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, mandolin, bass, orchestra, mixing
Ben Smith: drums and percussion
Lyle Workman: AltMix – track 13
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Try’:
“When I first came up with the idea for this tune I was playing the chord progression on an acoustic guitar. I added bass to it and then realized that it should only be bass and drums on the intro. I remember Carol Kaye, the famous bass player with the Wrecking Crew, talking about how important the opening bass line is for so many songs. It often sets the tone and the groove. As I started in on the lyrics and melody I was thinking about the adventure we all go through in life as we try to do the best we can, some days better than others. Reminding ourselves about thoughts of encouragement and tenacity. Sometimes we have to fail before we can succeed. We have to choose different doorways and paths as we deal with the unpredictable curve balls that life throws our way. We can go into a tailspin if we want, but ultimately we have to figure out a way to move forward, or we might be lost. I played a Gibson SJ-200 acoustic guitar, a Fender Precision bass, a Gretsch Duo Jet, a Rickenbacker 12-string electric, a ’60 Les Paul, a Hammond B3 organ by Arturia, a Yamaha U3 upright acoustic piano, and an orchestral string section via Spitfire.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, keys, bass
Valerie Pinkston: backing vocals
Ben Smith: drums
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Change’:
“When I first came up with the piano part on this tune I was thinking about Mission Impossible or James Bond. I wanted to create a driving groove that would engage the audience. As our world changes day to day we have the opportunity to adapt and ask questions. Then, plot our course and our next move, in order to stay on the track that is most meaningful to us. Part of that process involves reassessing the way that we think. Should we change our mind about something? Are we too quick to judge? Is our way of thinking helpful or not? If people were more open minded and willing to see things from other’s perspectives, would there be less conflict? Abe, Lyle and Valerie are on this song. All 3 are fantastic! Abe flat out nails the groove and plays some amazing fills. Lyle plays a world class guitar solo. And Valerie sings beautifully, as always. I am playing a Kurzweil PC-88mx keyboard /grand piano setting by Keyscape, a Music Man StingRay 5-string electric bass, an orchestral string section via Spitfire, a Wurlitzer electric piano and a Hammond B-3 organ by Arturia.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, keys, bass, orchestra, mixing
Abe Laboriel Jr. drums
Lyle Workman: lead guitar, drum session engineering
Valerie Pinkston: backing vocals
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
‘Seasons’:
“Sometimes less is more. The opening of this track is a solo 12-string acoustic guitar. Then, a mellotron comes in, and then the vocals. I was thinking of a dream state when I wrote the lyric. In part, thinking about the music business. The way it was, and the way it is now. There are seasons in life. What we do with them is really up to us, except when we are dealt bad cards….bad DNA, car accident, death of a loved one, circumstances beyond our control, etc… How we deal with transitions during these seasons is critical for how we carry on, or not. For me, always growing, always learning, as best I can, as I age. Connecting in relationships with family and friends. Loving and forgiving others, and ourselves, as we go through life, together. I’m playing a 1972 Guild 12-string acoustic guitar, a ’60 Les Paul, a Music Man StingRay 5-string electric bass, a Mellotron by Arturia, and an orchestral string section via Spitfire. Ben Smith is playing drums and congas.”
Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass, orchestra, mixing
Ben Smith: drums and percussion
Don Gunn: drum session engineering
Stan expands on the background of this adventurous new release:
“‘Into the Great Beyond’ is an adventure in sonic and lyrical landscapes. There are 12 songs on the album. Mostly Indie Rock and Americana, but with other styles brought in as needed. The musicianship includes Stan Snow, Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Valerie Pinkston (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston), Lyle Workman (Sting, Beck), and Ben Smith (Heart) among others.”
Each song is different. All songs were written and recorded in the order they appear on the album.
“I wrote each song to satisfy the music fan within.”
Snow said.
“After I finished writing each tune, I would ask myself – ‘what do I want to hear now?’…and I would write the next tune based on what I was hearing in my head. The transition from each song to the next is almost like a concept album. Each track is like a movement in a suite or symphony. But instead of it being classical and/or instrumental, there are lyrics to every song.”
‘Into the Great Beyond’ will arrive exclusively on Bandcamp on May 26, 2023.
Lead single ‘Change’ featuring Abe Laboriel Jr., Lyle Workman and Valerie Pinkston, comes with an accompanying performance video.
In true prolific form, Stan will be releasing music videos for each of this album’s twelve tracks.
This is a must listen for any fans of Rock n’ Roll, Americana, Indie Rock, Classic Rock music.