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Arts and Entertainment

Q & A with Tulsa's Leadman, Carter Tanton

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Photo of Carter Tanton by Amanda Zee

Carter Tanton of Tulsa always gets rave reviews about his voice like this one from Pitchfork: "Lead singer Carter Tanton has a spectacular voice... [he] could probably sing a recipe for chocolate éclairs and still make it sound good." And Rolling Stone said "his indie-seraphim voice is not of this world." Both reviews referenced the similarities to My Morning Jacket. And not to forget the band, the Boston Phoenix, their hometown paper, said "we weren’t the only ones who walked out of the club convinced that we had just seen the best rock band in Boston."

Tonight, Tulsa headlines at the Silverlake Lounge, 10:00 p.m. Also on the roster is What Made Milwaukee Famous, This Will Destroy You and Signal Hill.

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'I Will Tell' -- Tulsa





What's the story behind the band's name?

We took the name from a book of photographs by Larry Clark [Editor's Note: You may know him as the director of Kids. Larry Clark's Myspace | IMDB] . That book is largely about friends of Clark getting lost in drugs which is not why I felt a kinship. I felt the name would be appropriate because on a larger level the book comments on things like friendships, hometowns and going out on one's own.

Best lyrics written?

'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen is untouchable, Deer Tick from Providence, RI writes great lyrics and 'Our Mother The Mountain' by Townes van Zandt is right up there with Leonard Cohen

What are your impressions when you come out to Los Angeles? Where do you prefer to stay, drink and eat?

I used to work at this place Fred 62 in Los Feliz, so I like to go there. I have a big crush on LA

Everyone raves about your vocal sound. Do you keep your throat healthy or just live life as it, drinking, smoking, eating dairy products before shows.

I don't take many precautions with my voice, but now that you mention it, dairy does leaves a gooey film in my throat so i don't drink a Cal Ripken size glass of milk before a show.

'Mass' -- Tulsa






'Shaker' -- Tulsa

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