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In the midst of a Wednesday night summer residency at the Asbury Park Yacht Club on boardwalk, Joe Michelini has released two in a trio of new work as the American Trappist.

A culmination of the singer-songwriter’s sound, the former River City Extension member has released In Satan’s Kingdom National Park, “An album that sounds triumphant,” according to Spin magazine and On The River Toms via Death Salon label. Hannah Future Tense is expected to become available early next month.

Below is the Asbury Park Sun’s interview with the Toms River native turned Philly resident:

Sun: Tell us a little about your background, where you grew up, went to school, and musical journey?

Michelini: I’m 27 years old and I grew up in Toms River, NJ. I was introduced to music and live performance at a young age, learning and performing classical piano [and later cello]. When I graduated from high school I told my parents I wanted to start a band instead of going to college. They said, “OK.” I haven’t looked back and I don’t regret it for a second. All good things come to an end and I’m glad River City ended when it did. We never had enough time to overthink it and subsequently put out something we weren’t sure of. You’d be surprised how often that happens to bands. Maybe you wouldn’t, I don’t know.

Sun: Tell me about American Trappist, the sound, its members.

Michelini: American Trappist is an independent songwriting project I started immediately after River City Extension. It’s the name of my next catalogue of work. There are no members and there is no sound. There’s a whole team of people who are helping to make this first record a reality both live and in concept. I’m so very grateful to them and they know who they are.

Sun: I hear it’s born from your love of Leonard Cohen, can you speak to that?

Michelini: Sort of, yeah. Leonard Cohen’s life as a songwriter as well as his time spent in monasteries continues to inform my work and who I am. I feel like we are looking for the same thing out of life and music. It’s inspiring having someone like that come before you. It’s something to look up at and learn from. Maybe to say, “whoa, maybe that’s not such a radical idea.” Followed immediately by searching for the next most radical idea, to extend his brain I suppose.

Sun: I know you’ve released In Satan’s Kingdom but can you tell me if you are on schedule to release On the River Toms and Hannah Future Tense in August?

Michelini: On The River Toms is live at AmTrappe.com and yes we are on schedule to release Hannah Future Tense. Each release has been accompanied by a video by our creative director Brian L. Tice, Jr. He’s been a big part of bringing this all to life.

Sun: Tell me a little bit about your label Death Salon – how that came about and its vision.

Michelini: Death Salon is a small home label I run in Philly. It’s a home for my records and maybe others in the future who are pursuing the best within themselves and looking to turn that into an original contribution to the American music scene.

Sun: Why a residency and why at APYC?

Michelini: Peter [Mantas] and I have been friends for years and it just seemed like the right place to start. Low-profile beach bars are the right-of-passage for any Jersey-born musician. It makes sense and we’re excited to see it grow.

To view Michelini’s first video for his lead single, “No Bibles,” directed by Brian L. Tice Jr., click  HERE.

Michelini’s Wednesday night performances at AYPC kicks off at 9 p.m.

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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper

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