Since joining Wilco for the production of their 2002 magnum opus Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Mikhail Jorgensen has mostly lurked in the shadows of frontman Jeff Tweedy, playing keyboards and sampling for the Chicago-based group. It’s no surprise, then, that most fans never realized Jorgensen had a talent for pop songwriting and strong vocals that could cut through the mix of a four-piece rock band. These strengths are made more than apparent on All Is Golden, the debut album by Pronto, a new band that consists of Jorgensen and three of his long-time friends.
Side projects aren’t uncommon for the members of Wilco, who have produced the likes of Loose Fur, The Autumn Defense, and Golden Smog. Yet All is Golden breaks out of the alt-country mode typical of Wilco break offs.
“It’s all a big science experiment,” Jorgensen said. “It’s like my first crack at doing all of this: writing music, writing lyrics, and singing.”
About 100 people, mostly yuppies, showed up at the IOTA Club and Café in Arlington, VA, Saturday afternoon to see Pronto and opening act Shortstack. It was a strong performance despite the odd performance time of 5:00 p.m.
Tracks from the album like “What Do You Know About You?” and “Good Friends Have Gone” showcased Jorgensen’s keyboard expertise, but his strong rhythm guitar carried standouts “Monster” and “When I’m On The Rocks.”
Much has been written about All Is Golden’s laid-back 1970s feel. Jorgensen acknowledged the connection, but also tried to downplay the hype.
“I grew up … in the 1970s, with television and movies and radio and music. It all becomes familiar and nostalgic,” Jorgensen said. “[But] I don’t think the whole album sounds like that. People have written a lot about it, which is fine. Maybe it’s slightly overblown.”
One of All Is Golden’s weaknesses is its lack of diversity, which causes later tracks to blur into monotony. Pronto avoids this pitfall thanks to Jorgensen’s sweet, ringing vocals.
“So far, everything has been good,” Jorgensen said. “Since this is early in the experiment, the data is still coming in. We’re playing with Short Stack in Boston … then we’re doing two shows with Jeff [Tweedy].”
Pronto will be touring around Wilco’s demanding schedule through the next year. If you can’t make it to a show, be sure to check out All is Golden, out now on Contraphonic Records.
