Luther Russell is hardly a beginner.
The L.A. singer-songwriter has been making music for more than 30 years — all the way back to The Bootheels, his teenage band with a young Jakob Dylan. He also fronted The Freewheelers, co-stars in Those Pretty Wrongs with Big Star drummer Jody Stephens, and has released a series of excellent solo albums — including his latest offering Happiness For Beginners. Like much of his work, it’s the kind of album that grows on you: Although it feels like fairly typical indie rock and jangle-pop at first, each spin reveals new touches, treats and treasures — especially in Russell’s literate, darkly romantic lyrics, which are more like short stories or dialogue from an arthouse film. Shortly before its release — and while he was still displaced by wildfires — Russell spoke from his family’s house about getting lucky in the studio, recording at Abbey Road, opening for Bob Dylan and plenty more. Enjoy.
