Jim Santanella - East 5th Street

This excursion began back in 1989 in the very small town of Millington, New Jersey. Nothing more than a few friends getting together for some laughs while paying homage to their favorite heavy metal bands inside a cold warehouse. That band, Corroded, didn't last much past high school. But it provided a look into something that would continue to be pursued. In the fall of 1990, the journey proceeded up to New England where Jim attended New Hampshire College. It was at this point that he started writing his own songs. No longer feeling the need to lug the amp back and forth, he picked up an acoustic guitar. It proved to be a pivotal move as it helped define his sound in the years to come. After graduating college, Jim moved into the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. Upon moving in, he took a night job in the graphic arts field. With the job came some funky hours and a shortened work week. This schedule ultimately enabled him to freely spend his days singing and writing. Looking for a little more diversity and independence in his surroundings, he relocated to the East Village. It seemed appropriate to put together an album with similarly contrasting styles. East 5th Street, his debut album, proves to be just that. It's a collection of acoustically driven songs containing descriptive lyrics and a distinct vocal style. Musically, the styles drift from the groovin rock anthem Drive to the poetically folky Going Home to the retro acoustic piece Sailing. The album offers something for almost everyone. Feeling the need to get this music heard, Jim decided to form his own label, Squatter Records. The name was inspired by the many altercations between squatters and the NYPD in the East Village. The album is specifically named for the location and controversial demolition of a squatted building on East 5th Street in 1997.

1) Drive
2) Going Home
3) Picture This
4) He Won't Go Away
5) Would You Really Kill Me/Rise
6) Roller Coaster Ride
7) Sailing
8) Stoned
9) All I Need
10) Lila