Chase Fanning is a singer, songwriter and guitarist with a sound born on the airwaves of classic rock radio. The Kansas City musician has been at his craft professionally for 12 years. In that time he has connected with fans through live gigs and via his 2014 debut album Anxious.
Fanning cites pioneers of classic and soft rock as his primary influences. His sound harkens back to that groovy Laurel Canyon vibe of the late 60s and early 70s, made famous by bands like the Eagles and Crosby, Stills & Nash. It’s the mid-tempo groove of open string acoustic guitars, a jazzy rhythm section, slow & bluesy lead guitar and just a hint of country.
“Lies Again” is the brand new single and video from Chase Fanning, released worldwide via all major streaming services on May 24, 2022. The lead-off single from his forthcoming sophomore album, the song is a mellow heartbreaker that brings to mind the heyday of AOR radio. A solo acoustic guitar opens the track before the beat drops on a smooth country/rock groove.
Chase steps to the mic and calls out a deceitful lover in a laid-back pop tenor. In the verse the ensemble of bass, drums, keys and guitar takes on a rolling and bluesy vibe to match the singer’s accusations. In the chorus they put the top down and share their sorrows with the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a great track for your next backyard barbecue playlist.
Check out the “Lies Again” video below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the track on both the Deep Indie Dive and Deep Indie Songwriters playlists. We had the chance to chat with Chase about his new music. Read his answers to our 6 questions below. And follow the links below to connect with Chase Fanning. Get on his socials and get in the loop on all of the news surrounding the upcoming release of his album.
6 Questions with Chase Fanning
Where are you from?
I was born-and-bred in Kansas City, lived here my whole life actually.
How long have you been making music?
I started when I was a senior in high school. I remember thinking I was “so cool” because I had learned to play guitar. I literally brought my guitar to every class. 12 years later I am not so egotistical about it but still just as in love with songwriting.
Who are the musicians involved in your project?
The absolute best people I could find in KC! I don’t have a band so I had to go out and find musicians I could bring to the studio. I worked myself to the bone looking for them and making sure I could pay them properly for their effort.
Mastered by: Scott Hull
Lead Guitar: Patrick Wollman
Keys: Antwon Vanoy
Drums: Antwon Vanoy
Bass: Clay Johnson
Produced by: Matt Petters
Who are your biggest musical influences?
The eagles are the greatest band of all time (you’ll never convince me otherwise)! Followed directly by Fleetwood Mac, and then Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Those were the bands that I like however when I started playing guitar I was a huge John Mayer fan. I like to think that I learned how to play guitar from John Mayer and I learned how to write music by listening to a plethora of great bands. In recent years though I have become a huge Jason Isabel fanatic. Every time I listen to one of his songs I learn more about the art form of songwriting.
Who are your greatest non-musical influences?
This one’s going to have to go to my mother. She’s always instilled a love of great music in me starting at a young age. It’s a lot of fun to just sit and talk with her about bands and what music is good and why?
What inspired you to create this project?
I thought when I wrote the song that it was pretty good. Once I got it in the studio and heard it back for the first time with the full band. I knew that it was utterly important to do whatever I had to to get this song heard. I worked on this song for 9 months between going to the studio and getting the music video filmed.
I didn’t want to put it out into the world without both of them done and with equal professionalism. This is my first single in 8 years since the album that I made in 2014. I knew if I was going to come back I had to make something that couldn’t be ignored or easily dismissed. I feel this song fits that bill.
