Adhyâropa Records is thrilled to announce Chateau LaDeau, the new album from multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Jon LaDeau. Working closely with Guster’s David Butler, LaDeau uses his mastery of the studio to decorate his finely honed songwriting. Over eight tracks, LaDeau has assembled a sound that recalls the rock & roll glory years of Tom Petty and The Traveling Wilburys.

LaDeau’s guitar wizardry has been heard in many collaborations, including his own projects and as a former member of The National Reserve, sharing bills with Jeff Tweedy, Emmylou Harris, Sturgill Simpson, Amy Helm and the Tedeschi Trucks Band among many others. But it was important to LaDeau that this record showcase his versatility on multiple instruments and in multiple roles.

“People know you how they see you, right?” LaDeau says. “And a lot of people know me as a guitar player. So I started the album in a kind of familiar space—the first track ‘Cactus Tree Boogie’ is just me and a guitar. It’s the story of where I’ve come from. But this album is the story of where I’m headed, and that’s a much bigger narrative. It’s reflected in the sounds that accumulate along the way as you listen through the album.”

"Take Me Away" is a door opening to a broader and richer sound than LaDeau has ever explored before. Under double-tracked vocals à la Elliott Smith, Butler and LaDeau create a chamber symphony of strummed, plucked and beaten acoustic instruments swaying as one, nearly all played and recorded by LaDeau himself. Warbly lo-fi guitars, gospel organs, pianos and even literal bells & whistles bloom and intermingle seamlessly but never overtake the simple melody at its core; it's the anthemic in service of the simple.

“I started developing these songs as demos so I could bring them to the band to be played live. As I was doing that, just to flesh them out I started adding a bit here, a bit there. And eventually I brought them to David Butler for his opinion and he was the one who encouraged me to develop it into a full album.”

Butler, a long time member of indie darlings Guster, has also collaborated with Anders Osborne, Marco Benevento, and Lee Scratch Perry. He brought serious production chops as well as a fresh perspective to the material LaDeau had been constructing. “David was an essential and inspirational companion as I was fleshing out the songs and arrangements, but he was also crucial when it came time to pull things back, to streamline. Eventually we’d whittled a dozen or so pretty good songs down to the 8 that work the best together as a cohesive statement.

“The album developed in three phases: every tune started as its own world, just me getting the ideas out and then exploring the studio around me. When I arrived at a collection of songs that felt nearly finished to me, I then brought them to David and he helped put the finishing touches on everything. Then we chose a few parts out of the mix to replace with other musicians’ creative input. Butler ended up playing some of the drums, jazzhead Steve Okonski added some organ, and Emily Jackson and Chris Parker guested on vocals. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how crucial D. James Goodwin’s contribution was in bringing the whole project into technicolor via his mixing and mastering wizardry.”

LaDeau recorded the album at his studio of the same name: Chateau LaDeau, hence the album title. LaDeau is himself an exquisite producer and engineer, and he utilizes the studio space he built not just as a palette of available colors but as an extension of his own creativity. Every track brings new delights and surprises, and every sound feels considered and essential. LaDeau never allows the textures to resort to convention—an electric guitar is livened up with a subtle tremolo, a drum machine is lent earthiness by a sympathetic frame drum. Repeat listeners will never want for new treasures.

The mid-album highlight is second single, "East Tennessee Wrecker," which builds over an insistent rhythmic pattern and is utterly elevated by the impassioned background vocals of singer/actor Emily Jackson (House of Cards, Law & Order SVU). The sounds of Americana flit on the margins as the melody longingly unspools. “Talk to me, tell me anything you want to say / I’ll be listening, yes I’ll be listening,” LaDeau croons—and Jackson answers.

The album’s closer "Memory in Mind" delivers a high lonesome nod to Roy Orbison as LaDeau’s distinctive voice gets a workout, contrasting beautifully with his powerful guitar playing. Chateau LaDeau is an album full of artful songs served just to the side of expectation, like a chef who starts with familiar ingredients but transforms them into something surprising, and makes you grateful for having been surprised.

Jon LaDeau hails from the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey, a vast stretch of open space where time stands still and the wilds still run free.

From a young age Jon tapped into the energy of his surroundings and embraced the community of artists and musicians he found himself growing up around. After receiving a 4-track tape recorder at the age of 10, Jon began writing, recording, and putting together bands. It didn’t take long for him and his brother/writing partner, Justin LaDeau, to start filling up boxes of tapes with original music. By the time he left high school, Jon was already playing regularly throughout NJ and the Philly area with his own band and as a guitarist/harmony singer for hire. After a few years of playing in nearly every bar and venue in NJ (and some parties for the Hells Angels) the big city started calling.

Upon arriving in New York, Jon immediately began recording and releasing his own music. He has released 4 full length albums, an EP, and a Direct to Vinyl collaboration with Leesta Vall. Jon has toured internationally to support these albums and has had his music featured on Comedy Central, SyFy and in films.

“A timeless sound.” - Americana UK

”Sweetly rustic.” - Time Out NY

“One to watch.” - Americana Highways

“LaDeau has a knack for hitting the sweet spot with a punctuating sound built on melody and narrative commentary. The economic sounds of Todd Snider & Hayes Carll sneak up on LaDeau’s presentation, earning him legit nods in both the Americana and folk realms.” - Glide Magazine

"Nostalgic, feel-good blue-eyed soul. … A perfect showcase for LaDeau’s breezy sound, bell-clear vocals and soulful guitar work." Grateful Web

“LaDeau visits many streams of Americana, in his free-flowing, folk-based music.”  Wall St. Journal

“A distinctive presence…hints of Neil Young.” - Lonesome Highway (IR)

“LaDeau is taking Brooklyn to the genres usually reserved for Austin, Chicago and New Orleans. This is a truly down home American style, presented with grit... irony-free.” - The Deli

“Soulful, old-time Americana.” - NY Music Daily

“LaDeau’s spirited guitar playing brought this magical show home for everyone involved.” -Live for Live Music

Winterthurer Musikfestwochen (CH)
Jon LaDeau...with his band or as a solo artist always comes across very genuine.