By Joe Ross – The aching vulnerability of young people coming of age is the rootsy musical territory explored by All the Real Girls on their 5-song EP, Tinsel Town. Many songs have been inspired by life’s journeys and struggles, and this folk-rock project doesn’t succumb to cliches. Rather, the thoughtful music was written by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Peter Donovan (guitar, organ, piano) for a low-budget film called “Lost on Purpose” directed by Ian and Eshom Nelms, two brothers who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. The movie tells the story of five ranch hands on a dairy farm fighting for survival, direction and friendship when times are tough.
“The Way It Is” sets the stage for a young man (presumably the movie’s protagonist) accepting the cards he’s been dealt, but also having an optimistic note. A breezy jaunt, “Lose the Sun,” is a pleasantly nostalgic song about making time stand still. It similarly has a positive and confident message. Opening with just guitar, piano and vocals, “Follow the River” slowly builds with its encouragement to “keep your head up, kid, because tonight’s the night.”
Glittery Hollywood is often referred to as “Tinsel Town,” and as an analogy to life, we have to also find and understand perspectives about trust, substance, pride, truth and love. The title track conveys a sense of enlightenment and insight “when I hear the tales of you out on the road, it starts to make some sense why I’m so afraid of home.”
The understated earthiness of Bruce Derr’s pedal steel and Jordan Walston’s banjo provide a soothing country twang in “When I Had You.” The rest of the band includes Eric Ambrose (trombone), Chris Elliott (trumpet), Andrew Blowen (piano, organ), Matthew Cosby (bass), Travis Kline (guitar), Juliet Nelson (cello), and Jon Nolan (drums, guitar, percussion, vocals). Additional vocals are added by Elsa Cross, Amy Elhoff and Elijah Ocean.
As with the movie, these five effective songs have settings, characters and a plot that tie them together into a meaningful, relevant story. Peter Donovan gently blends words and melody. As you listen, see what kinds of picturesque images are conjured up in your own mind. Then catch the movie to determine how close you’ve come to those portrayed in this contemporary Americana music. Hopefully the images have worth and substance unlike L.A.’s “tinsel town.” This music also provides understanding of a younger generation’s confidence and optimism, but also of the occasional misguided direction and confusion they experience. Haunting truth and beauty are really all we can ask for in a song.