Sugartown

There are several projects named Sugartown. 1) Sugartown were from Glasgow, Scotland and consisted of lead singer Gwen Stewart and Douglas MacIntyre (ex Love & Money) on guitars and backing vocals. They released two albums on the Marina Label "Swimming in the Horsespool" (1995) and "Slow Flows The River" (1997). 2) Seattle-based pop band Sugartown is the creative vehicle for singer-songwriter-pianist Andrea Wittgens.

1) Sugartown were from Glasgow, Scotland and consisted of lead singer Gwen Stewart and Douglas MacIntyre (ex Love & Money) on guitars and backing vocals. They released two albums on the Marina Label "Swimming in the Horsespool" (1995) and "Slow Flows The River" (1997).


2) Seattle-based pop band Sugartown is the creative vehicle for singer-songwriter-pianist Andrea Wittgens.

Born in Nova Scotia Canada, Wittgens grew up under the strong influence of her parents sizable jazz collection, classical piano lessons and of course the Top-40 songs that were able to make their way, static and all, to her little bedroom radio in her home town of Antigonish. All that, she says, has been unquestionably valuable in finding her musical voice.

"There's not one drop of my formative musical environment and training that I don't draw on regularly. I mean, if you want an extreme example: I've even gone as far as ripping, er, borrowing chord progressions from some of my old Handel and Bach piano pieces. I think some of those classical standards are like the ultimate pop song - they're hooky and they get right to the point."

Two of those, Baroque-inspired songs appear on Sugartown's new album "How Do You Love Aquamarine?" Track 3 "Hey Love" was born from a Bach Prelude and somehow grew into upbeat 70s-style sugarpop complete with Beach Boy-esque backup vocals. The title track has a Handel Sarabande to thank.

Co-produced by Wittgens and Sugartown guitarist Vincent Gates, Aquamarine is an adventure in moods. From lushly layered pop anthems to beautifully simple acoustic waltzes to sultry jazz ballads, the album is the ultimate showcase for Wittgens' incredible vocal prowess and her gift for innovative lyrical spins on common song themes like loneliness and madness.

"Honey run and grab a shovel baby's gone and lost her marbles on the side of the road. I started off with good intentions but then in the end I kinda lost control of the load." (Starry Night)

"Sensational girl. Give her a whirl. I came when you called my name.

And boys with toys, inside making noise while the losers get to dance in the rain." (I've Been A Pawn In The Lonely Game)

The album also owes it's range of musical moods to the impressive crowd of local Seattle musicians who contributed to it. Musical guests include Will Dowd (Jessica Lurie Ensemble), Keith Lowe (Zony Mash, Fiona Apple), Andrew Scaglione (Left Hand Smoke), Paul Kemmish (Rockin' Teenage Combo, Das Rut), Jimm McIver (Jimm McIver and the Boxes) and Sue Corcoran (Looking for Sailors).