Vagabond Lovers

Singer/songwriter Patty Spiglanin formed the Vagabond Lovers in 1990 so she could belong to a real band. She wasn't into industry politics or schmoozy schemes; she wanted to make music, exploring her native Bay Area for more musical outlets. She and bandmates bassist Evan Eustis, guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:17dPLogkTv8BXfnXkbmHFK">Michael Zapruder</a>, keyboardist Mike Connor, and drummer Dan Lashkoff maintained a steady rise over a ten year period; their fresh Americana aesthetic earned the attention of Monarch Records at the dawn of the new millennium. The Vagabond Lovers finally had a routine.

Prior to the days of label support and constant financial support, the Vagabond Lovers dragged themselves through the normal process of building themselves a name. Originally tagged the Naked Barbies, Spiglanin and company independently issued three albums under their former moniker -- Dancing With Vacuums (1994), Tarnished (1996), and Living Independently (1998) -- but were only successful selling records at local gigs as well as gaining a small deal with the German label Blue Rose. The group grew tired of the push and pull of mainstream stereotypes, therefore revamped the name and sound. Their rootsy folk-rock appeal expanded and that led the band to tinker around with Living Independently with producer Dave McNair (<a href="spotify:artist:5s4z3mRAE7nxE3jjft8J3h">John Mayall</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0vYkHhJ48Bs3jWcvZXvOrP">Patti Smith</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1Cc79YAHP7xvQAVQSjveP6">Alejandro Escovedo</a>). Such an experience built creativity and sparked motivation and the Vagabond Lovers felt a solid composition arising, a definite union. When I Was You was released in early 2000. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, Rovi