Caught in the Carousel

Burlap to Cashmere

By Alex Green

Burlap to Cashmere

The Scouting Report is predicated on the idea of finding new bands and introducing them to our readers through an informal questionnaire. We like spotting the rookies and bringing them to this space to herald their arrival. However, our subject this month—Brooklyn's Burlap To Cashmere—aren't really rookies, as their first album Anybody Out There? came out over ten years ago. But after over a decade away from the musical playing field, Burlap To Cashmere might as well be brand new, so we think a proper reintroduction is in order.

Formed by cousins Steven Delopoulos and John Philippides, Burlap To Cashmere closed out the '90s with a critically-acclaimed debut and tours around the world supporting acts like Jars of Clay and Needtobreathe. Exhausted, the band went on indefinite hiatus soon after to work on separate projects. In the meantime, Delopoulous released a pair of solo albums and after Philippides recovered from a near-fatal carjacking, the band got back together to record their self-titled second album.

Incorporating Mediterranean rhythms and Middle Eastern grooves with traditional folk tropes, BTC's new effort is one of the most refreshing albums of 2011. From the rousing stomp of "Build A Wall" to the ruminative folk of "Closer To The Edge" Delopoulos' delivery has all the poetic finesse of Paul Simon and the vocal muscle of Cat Stevens. Elsewhere, "Live In A Van" is a stirring homage to playing in a band, "The Other Country" is loaded with aching beauty and "Tonight" is a stirring folk shuffle that's one of the best album closers of the year.

Dear readers, meet Burlap To Cashmere.

Burlap to Cashmere

FULL NAME: Steven Socrates Delopoulos

NICKNAME: Gus

HOMETOWN: Long Branch, NJ

WEBSITE: burlaptocashmere.com

RECORD LABEL: JIVE

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN ONE SENTENCE: Folk rock with a Mediterranean twist

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Playing for the troops in Kuwait

STRANGEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Playing at a Pentecostal Church

THE SONG YOU WISH YOU'D WRITTEN: "Carrying a torch" Van Morrison

FIVE MUSICIANS YOU ADMIRE: Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens

ALBUM YOU CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO: "Rhythm of the saints" Paul Simon

DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A KID: All over the place, emotional, and a bit of a dreamer.

THREE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT: heat, my cat harry, and to much caffeine.

LAST TWO BOOKS YOU'VE READ: "The picture of Dorian Gray' Oscar Wilde

THINGS WE'D FIND IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR: Microphone stand, boxes of cd's

FAVORITE MUPPET WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION: Ms. Piggy. Because she was a pig but yet, she saw herself as beautiful

HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A MUSICIAN: Um, pretending to understand style. I have no style or understanding of how to dress. Never did, never will.

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT TV SHOW: Conan O' Brien

IDEAL BREAKFAST: English muffin, 2 eggs over easy, side of salsa, oh and black coffee.

DRINK OF CHOICE: Coconut water

BEST ALBUM TO PLAY AFTER A BREAK-UP AND YOU'RE HOLDING A BOTTLE OF VODKA AND SOMETHING SHARP: Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"

INDULGENCE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Coffee

WORDS TO LIVE BY: "If God gives you lemons......"

Further Resources: www.burlaptocashmere.com

Burlap to Cashmere