Led by 88.1 KDHX DJ Tim Rakel, the band's songs are dust-blown tales of folks like labor organizer Lucy Parsons, a lowly janitor and Henry Townsend. They seek to lift up -- or at least illuminate -- those working hard to lead a good life, but who are most often forgotten or unnoticed. Sonically, the songs are bending expanses of twangy folk-rock which set a mood more than they make a melodic statement.
After releasing a string of 7-inch records, the Union Electric recently finished its debut full-length album, "Time is Gold," which culls a few songs from those releases alongside newer material. In addition to finding all of the songs from this session on that record, you'll also find there contributions from veteran St. Louis musicians Kevin Buckley, Dave Anderson, Josh Weinstein and others -- as well as lyrical contributions from poet Stefene Russell -- demonstrating the deep ties that the Union Electric has to its community.
All photos by Kate McDaniel.
