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Arts & Entertainment

'Left of the Dial' Will Be Manchester Man's Third CD Release

Manchester singer/songwriter Michael James Anderson will release his third solo CD at the Main Pub Saturday night.

Michael James Anderson will release his third solo CD, "Left of the Dial," at a three-band show at the in Manchester Saturday, April 14.

The self-produced album follows "Restless Sea" (2010) and "Wake Up for the Shakedown" (2008), which were both recorded on the Sling Slang label.

Anderson, who is a founding member of the Manchester based And Band and plays lead guitar with Johnny Mainstream, was also the front man for Flu, the 2007 Hartford Advocate Reader’s Poll winner in the Best Metal Band category.

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Anderson’s solo work is a departure from the thunderous sound of Flu and "Left of the Dial" is a departure from the Manchester based singer/songwriter’s previous two CDs.

"Restless Sea" and "Wake Up for the Shakedown" are more stripped down with a folk rock sound featuring just Anderson, his lyrics and an acoustic guitar. "Left of the Dial" was recorded with a full band and has more of an Americana sound, according to Anderson.

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There is common theme running through all Anderson-written songs, regardless of genre: heartbreak.

“The songs are about battling demons,’’ Anderson said. “I know that’s a cliche thing that every single songwriter ever says – heartbreak and battling demons – but it’s true.”

The 12-song CD, with all new and original material, was written and recorded from experiences in 2011, and at various studios - Dirt Floor in Chester, Recording Studio in Bristol and at friends Jay Messier’s house on a reel-to-reel and Ed Saborin’s (Labor of Giants) home studio – with a collection of musicians backing him.

Several of the musicians on the recordings will back Anderson as The Dirty Twang at the CD release show - Brendan Donnelly (drums), Travis Dings (bass) and Matt Maynes (keys, guitar and percussion) – who will play mostly songs from "Left of the Dial" with a few songs from the previous two mixed in.

Andy Wakeman (Rotary) and his band will open the 9:30 p.m. show, followed by Dancy, featuring Nancy Michaud and Dan Garaffa.

For more information, contact Holly Hesselbach at: 860-803-0990, hollyhesselbach@rocketmail.com or The Main Pub, 306 Main St., Manchester, 860-647-1551, www.mainpub.com.

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