Salett sharpens songwriting through film gigs

Singer/songwriter Peter Salett may be the most prolific composer for films who doesn't really specialize in the medium. Indeed, Salett, who appears tonight at the Sutler in a special show with lap steel guitarist Don Piper, drummer Marc Pisapia and bassist Hags, has gained widespread critical recognition for the thoughtful and edgy tunes featured in both his current After A While (Dusty Shoes Music) and prior release Heart of Mine.
Getting there
See Peter Salett tonight at 9 p.m. at the Sutler, 2608 Franklin Pike. Call 292-5254 for cover charge information.

Yet anyone whose friends include A-list actors Edward Norton and Salma Hayek and whose songs have popped up in films featured in four of the last six Sundance Film Festivals will inevitably get as much, if not more, attention for his cinematic contributions as for his playing and singing.

"Most of that type of thing [film contributions] has been the result of people who like my writing asking me to do a song or two for their work, and it is very flattering," Salett said. "But it is also a bit different from my usual writing. With a film you have to think about the movie's content, then try and come up with something that fits into that framework or context. You present it to the filmmaker and hope that it works. You also have to think about the style of film and the era."

Part of Salett's appeal comes in his versatility as a writer and musician. A capable pianist and guitarist, Salett's work encompasses influences from British invasion rock artists like the Who, great folk-rockers such as Bob Dylan, and even a country great like Johnny Cash.

After A While includes two songs "She Won't Wait Forever" and "Still Alone Without You" that have a pronounced country feel and are beautifully buttressed by piercing lap steel guitar lines from Don Piper. But "Colorful Dream" features a poignant narrative and a piano framework that is equal parts gospel and blues, while "I Fly So High" recalls shimmering folk with its acoustic guitar accompaniment and exuberant lead vocal.

While born in Maryland, Salett has spent much of his adult life working in New York City. But he recorded After A While in three different locations. Some songs were cut in Austin, others in either Los Angeles or New York, and Salett teamed with producer Craig Ross for a work that continually experiments and shifts styles and genres, but still has a unified sound thanks to Salett's accomplished vocals and solos.

Salett has also joined the growing list of singer/songwriters handling their own business affairs.

"I own and control everything regarding my music, which has both good and bad elements," he said. "It is very tough to break into radio, and that, in turn, makes it harder to get on some of the bigger tours. But I'm more interested in creating an album where people want to listen to the entire thing rather than making something disposable and trying to sell all I can in a three-month period. I don't have to worry about trying to find a couple of songs off the record and then forgetting about it. We go on tour and work the record as long as we like, and we structure it so it will be viewed as a complete production, something to attract audiences in its entirety."