Cap'n Al - Desperation Day single
Release date: August 4th 2023
Artist Information
- Label: Baby Dragon Records
- Genre: Indie Pop / Rock
- Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
- RIYL: Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, The Police, Jaco Pastorius
Biography
It has been said that difficult circumstances can inspire creativity. This has proven true for Arron “Cap’n Al” Bergstrom. For two decades, the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based musician has been an in-demand bass player and background vocalist in original and cover bands. Yet songwriting only came to the foreground a few years ago as a salvation while Cap’n Al was mired in struggles with alcoholism and a toxic romantic relationship.
Today, sober and happily and healthily coupled, Cap’n Al is releasing The Enchanting World Of...Cap’ n Al, out September 8th on Baby Dragon Records. It’s a triumphant, 14-song collection of finely-crafted indie-rock that in its sophisticated accessibility evokes the sharp-hooks of songwriters such as Prince, Paul McCartney, Sting/The Police, and the tuneful-but-edgy alt-rock of Weezer and Green Day.
“I started writing these songs as an outlet for my emotions, and to also maintain my sanity,” Cap’n Al shares. He continues: “This album represents a new chapter for me—I discovered something that no one really expected from me. I’ve spent so many years backing people up, and now it feels time to step out front.”
The Enchanting World Of...Cap’n Al is an eclectic and emotive album informed by Cap’n Al’s personal experiences, his expansive musical tastes, and his formal study of composition for which he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. The name “Cap’n Al” is his beloved bowling name, and though he is the project’s primary singer-songwriter, Cap’n Al will perform live as a band.
The urgently catchy single, Desperation Day, recalls The Police in its affinity for pop sophistication, hard-driving grooves, and dramatic narration. The lyrics here are conversational, and reminiscent of the type situations Cap’n Al endured in his tumultuous relationship. “This is a ‘no matter what I do isn’t good enough for you’ type song. Each person is blaming the other for their unhappiness,” Cap’n Al explains. The opening verse sets up the song’s lyrical tension with an onslaught of negative and frustrating complaints. The passage reads: Where were you when I needed you? / This is the worst day ever now I’m through / Not much more left that I can do / (I’ve done my best and the rest is up to you) / My heavy lifting’s over soon / (I broke my back I’ve been up since the crack of noon).
Joining Cap’n Al on his maiden solo voyage are distinguished guests from his beloved Minneapolis hometown. These musicians and producers include Tommy Barbarella (Prince & the New Power Generation) on piano, Billy Thommes (Soul Asylum, Jonny Lang, Hairball) on drums, and mastering engineer Greg Reierson from Rare Form Mastering (Prince, The Cure, Miles Davis), among other accomplished working musician friends. The Enchanting World Of...Cap’ n Al was produced by Minneapolis music icon John Scalia with whom Cap’n Al has formed Baby Dragon Records, a musical tandem that will release their own material as well as the works of other musicians and creatives.
