I chatted with Kurt Deemer about his career and the challenges of recording an album during lockdown.

Talk about your background, where you’re from, etc

I grew up on Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore City. I spent a fair amount of time in the Central part of the city and the Towson area. A five mile radius. ::laughs::

When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

Probably from around 13 when I picked up a guitar and started making music.

What has life been like during lockdown?

I had to try to finish this record just before lockdown. It was tricky! Actually, I was able to write another record worth of songs.

How did you finish the album during lockdown?

I had already recorded the basic tracks prior. I worked one on one with my engineer. I did some one on one stuff with our guitarist. We just kept our distance and our masks on. There were a few finishing touches put on remotely.

Why did you call the new album “World Upside Down?”

I used a title of a song on the album as the title track. When I wrote that song, it was before the pandemic happened. It was really in response to the political environment and how I saw the younger generations dealing with things more optimistically. This is the world they’re inheriting and I kind of saw a reckoning occurring.

What is your favorite track on the new album and why?

It changes, but I kind of like “Take A Chance” which is the final song on the record. It’s a song that I wrote a really long time ago and I feel like it finally found it’s place.

What is it like being able to play at The Recher?

I have a little bit of history with the venue. I played it years ago, opening for other bands and such. I also worked on the crew that put the sound system in there back in 2009. I flew the speakers and rigged them. So it’s good to come back and play the big house.

I still remember it when it was the Towson movie theater. I’ve been in that theater quite a few times.

What is your favorite song of all time OR a song that means a lot to you?

“From The Hip” by Lloyd Cole. The song came out when I was a young man and it hit me in the chest. I’ve always wanted to do a cover of it, so I figured ‘What The Hell?’ and put it on this record.

Are you excited about your upcoming show and album release party?

I’m super psyched to get back out there and perform in front of people. It will be socially distanced, you must buy a table, and you must come with your party. We went in and were guinea pigs testing the sound system and it sounds fantastic. It felt great to be back up on that stage.

The Kurt Deemer Band headlines The Recher on Friday, April 30 with their album release party!

Buy tickets

Follow The Kurt Deemer Band on Facebook / Instagram / Official Website