Los Angeles – Singer-songwriter Greg Copeland is a Southern California native whose depth of feeling for music—and natural ability to conjure it up with spare, graceful melodies and lyrics that are plain spoken poetry—has been in inverse proportion to his body of work. His comfortable, yet candid, way with words make his new EP a welcome addition to his catalog of music. He has a natural ability to conjure up spare, graceful melodies and evocative lyrics that are plain spoken poetry. His genuine sentiments and strength of character, together with the intricate nuances of these musical compositions, create a vividly illustrative sound that allows him to shed light on difficult circumstances. His latest EP, Empire State was released on September 6, 2024. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2024)

The collection of songs exudes a sense of urgency and presence. Empire State takes place right this minute. Copeland’s characters and narratives “volunteer” themselves to be bared to the world through song and often recur throughout his catalog of music. Like a sentinel keeping watch, his songs are a report back to the listener, as inspiration for writing seems to bubble up from within. Copeland says, “When the odometer clicked over to 2000, I somehow started writing again. Don’t know why, just had to, and the three subsequent recordings are what matter to me most at this point.”

After a 26 year hiatus since his 1982 debut Revenge Will Come, Copeland went back into the studio and reemerged with his second release, Diana and James (Released 2008 on Browne’s label Inside Recordings). This triggered new writing towards a collection of songs that led to his third album, The Tango Bar, in 2020.

Empire State is out now on Copeland’s own independent label, Franklin & Highland Recordings, and internationally with Hemifrån/Paraply Records (Non-U.S. Territories).

Tyler Chester produced both Empire State and The Tango Bar and feature longtime comrade and producer of Copeland’s 2008 release Greg Leisz on pedal steel and mandocello, among other instruments. Chester, a multiple Grammy-nominated producer, session musician, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, also plays keys throughout Empire State as well as bass on the first track. Returning from previous albums to join them are longtime Jackson Browne sideman Val McCallum on electric and rubber bridge slide guitar; Jay Bellerose on drums and percussion; and Jennifer Condos on bass. Sara Watkins joins on fiddle for a track.

Empire State tracklist:
1. Boon Time
2. We the Gathered
3. 4:59:59
4. Coyotes
5. Empire State