MRG Recordings | Guava Duff
GUAVA DUFF
Songwriter, singer, and guitarist for Guava Duff, Larson Sutton grew up in a farmhouse in Rhode Island where he grew up to appreciate a rural folk lifestyle rocked by gentle and sometimes volatile ocean rhythms. "I tend to write most of my songs with some kind of experience behind it. It may sound unusual but snow on a barn or sunrise over the water inspires me as much as any sound", says Sutton.
The songs on Guava Duff's debut, 'Two Days Until Tomorrow', were largely written after trips to London and the Bahamas. For their second release, 'Does It Matter?' the songs were less inspired by particular destinations, then by a desire for a more live feel. "I was trying to capture a more raw sound. It's more than a collection of songs . . . it's the sound of a band in a small garage studio.”
‘Detritus’ represents songs chosen from a ten-year collection of music written by Sutton and performed by various bands he led prior to forming Guava Duff.
Originally formed when three students responded to flyers Larson posted at Syracuse University, the quartet Sons of Papaya (1991-1995) played hundreds of club shows up and down the Eastern seaboard, earning a Best College Band award at the 1995 Sammy's, recognizing the finest of central New York State's musical talent. Sons of Papaya released two independent CDs and one authorized bootleg. Sons of Papaya was part of the 2nd wave of Northeast jambands that included moe., ominous seapods, yolk, moon boot lover, and more. Sons of Papaya opened for or shared the stage with Blues Traveler, Gov't. Mule, G Love, The Samples, Jon Fishman, Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, and many others. Sons of Papaya's influences ranged from Lou Reed, Maceo Parker, and Jaco Pastorious to Phish, the Allman Brothers Band, and Genesis. Sons of Papaya's members were: Larson Sutton (guitar, vocals), Chris Provenzano (drums, vocals), Dave Lewin (alto sax, vocals), Bob White (bass, vocals).
Nebraska was a quartet that played all-instrumental "movie music", compositions based in counterpoint and featuring long sections of improvisation, inspired by John Lurie's avant garde Lounge Lizards and the Kronos Quartet. Nebraska's members were: Larson Sutton (guitar), Mike D'Angelo (drums), Sean Lorre (bass), Mike Callaghan (keyboards).
Buckminster Fuller was an expanded version of Nebraska, adding a three-piece horn section. Buckminster Fuller's most memorable performance was a continuous 45-minute piece of music played at an annual birthday party for Phish drummer Jon Fishman's mother Mimi, portions of which are on this release. Buckminster Fuller's members were: Larson Sutton (guitar), Mike D'Angelo (drums), Mike Callaghan (keyboards), Dennis Janglobin (bass), Lance Diamond (sax), Arto Assadorian (sax), Pete Sciano (trumpet).
Berube was a quartet born in the rehearsal spaces of Los Angeles that reunited Larson with former Papaya drummer Chris Provenzano. The weekly jams produced a one-off demo. Berube members were: Larson Sutton (guitar, vocals), Chris Provenzano (drums), Todd Russ (bass), Lawrence Sheldon (keyboards).
Sand Bear was the result of the passing of the longtime friend of Larson's, Mimi Fishman, whose son Jon was a member of Phish, and who supported the music of independent bands through the Central NY area in which she lived. The trio's first live appearance was at the Mimi Fishman Tribute concert on October 5, 2001 with proceeds supporting the American Red Cross in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy. It subsequestly reunited Larson with Nebraska drummer Mike D'Angelo and Papaya bassist Bob White. Sand Bear members were: Larson Sutton (guitar, vocals), Mike D'Angelo (drums), Bob White (bass), Lance Diamond (guest sax).
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