Frankenreiter ready to share musical evolution – Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Jimmy Willden, Special to the Caller-Times 9:02 a.m. CT Feb. 24, 2017

Donavon Frankenreiter returns to Corpus Christi with his performance at the Executive Surf Club on Thursday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m.(Photo: Contributed photo)

After a string of acoustic performances over the past several months, Donavon Frankenreiter, a singer, songwriter, and professional surfer, returns with his full band Thursday, March 2 to the Executive Surf Club reinvigorated and ready to start the next chapter in his musical endeavors.

Beginning his career as a protg of another famed surf-singer, Jack Johnson, Frankenreiter has since carved out a niche all his own.

Its just crazy, its been fifteen years, Frankenreiter said. Ive changed, I think, a little bit. At least, you sort of start to grow up after making one record to another, and you start to see what feels comfortable to you, and what you want to say.

Frankenreiter found more of what he wanted to say while in the midst of writing his last record, 2015's "The Heart", when he continued a longtime collaboration with folk-singer Grant-Lee Phillips.

When I went to make that record, I sent him a song I kind of had half-done, and he sent it back the next day, and it was just incredible it was finished, Frankenreiter said. The collaboration on 'The Heart' was just great; it didnt take much time or effort. We just went back and forth, and basically wrote the whole record in a couple weeks.

Donavon Frankenreiter returns to Corpus Christi with his performance at the Executive Surf Club on Thursday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m.(Photo: Contributed photo)

After the album's release, Frankenreiter continued his musical evolution, finding magic in the most unexpected of places: barbecues.

For years, Frankenreiter and fellow songwriter and friendG. Lovehad talked about collaborating on an acoustic album they would call their BBQ record, intending it to be a collection full of new collaborations, re-imaginings of cover songs and some of their respective classic tunes. Instead, when the pair entered the studio, they found that the formation of a new group was imminent.

We started writing these songs and recording them. As the days went by, we realized we were really loving the sound, Frankenreiter said. I looked at these guys and said we should start a band. We all kind of laughed, then the more songs we played literally, by the end of the making of this record we all agreed.

And with that, the band Jamtownwas born, with their debut album to be released soon, and a string of dates already booked this summer with Jack Johnson.

Its been amazing, Frankenreiter said. Its one of the most exciting things, musically, that Ive had happen to me in a long time. Its really revitalized and re-energized my whole musical side.

Donavon Frankenreiter returns to Corpus Christi with his performance at the Executive Surf Club on Thursday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m.(Photo: Contributed photo)

All things considered, Frankenreiter hasnt taken his journey for granted in fact, he uses it to keep him becoming the person hes supposed to become, as he described it.

With me being married and having two kids, living in Hawaii, and just traveling around the world surfing and playing music, Frankenreiter said, its been a wild ride.

What: Donavon Frankenreiter with Grant-Lee Phillips When: 7 p.m.Thursday, March2 Where: Executive Surf Club, 302 N. Water St. Cost: $20, advance sales; $25, day of show Info:donavonatsurfclub.brownpapertickets.com

Read or Share this story: http://callertim.es/2mfvW70

More:

Frankenreiter ready to share musical evolution - Corpus Christi Caller-Times