Scott Zosel:

“Cool and accessible, slightly underground and off-beat..”

– David Franklin, Dancing About Architecture

David Franklin totally gets me. Yes, I strive to weave my interpretation of rock, pop, country or Americana styles into a suitcase of original songs. My resulting repertoire is a mixed bag, not genre specific, influenced by artists such as Gram Parsons, Joe Henry, Jeff Tweedy, Patty Smith, Ryan Adams, Liz Phair, even John Lennon. Check out my music below, make your own determination. 

Contact:

Scott Zosel: call or text 612-940-5412,
Email: ScottZoselMusic@gmail.com

upcoming shows


Stream on your favorite platforms.

Brewster’s Red Hotel (single)

Released November 25, 2022, Brewster’s Red Hotel is a story about the heartbeat of the town of Lanesboro, MN; the enduring relationship of the human spirit in the valley that time forgot to tell.

CREDITS

Written by Scott Zosel
Produced by Greg Schutte
Vocals, Guitar: Scott Zosel
Drums: Greg Schutte
Lead Guitar: Dan Schwartz
Bass: Nick Salisbury
Backup Vocals: Kelly Jordahl
(all rights reserved)

Tiny Yellow Room is a 10song full-length LP released (073021) into the stream-o-sphere (Spotify, Apple, et al).

CREDITS

Produced by Rob Genedak, (Uptown Sound Recording)
Vocals, Rhythm, Barritone Guitars – Scott Zosel
Lead Guitars, atomospherics – Randy Casey
Drums & Bass – Rob Genedak

Stream on your favorite platforms.

Tiny Yellow Room

Coal Black Curls is a 7song EP released (101720) into the stream-o-sphere (Spotify, Apple, et al).

CREDITS

Produced by David Russ, (It’s a Secret Studio)
Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Scott Zosel
Backup Vocals – Kevin Tidemand
Lead Guitars – Randy Casey
Bass Guitar – Dave Russ, Martin Rush
Drums – Dave Russ, J.T. Bates (Build you a house)

Special Thanks to Kevin Tidemand for helping record final vocals tracks.

Stream on your favorite platforms.

Coal Black Curls

Sudden Pictures is a fivesong EP released (110419) into the stream-o-sphere (Spotify, Apple, et al).

CREDITS

Produced by Kevin Tidemand
Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitar – Scott Zosel
Bass & Vocals – Kevin Tidemand
Drums – Kevin Tidemand (John Obrien)

Stream on your favorite platforms.

Sudden Pictures

Biography

“Scott Zosel is one the most underrated songwriters in the Twin Cities.”

– James Loney, Lolos Ghost

the unembellished truth:

I’m not a musical artist boasting a lengthy or illustrious pedigree. No apologies. I am proud of my accomplishments over the past ten years since taking up the noble, yet ubiquitous role of singer-songwriter.
I love songwriting, poetry and the creative process in general. I can say the same for my hundreds of solo performances of my original material. My first time performing an original song at an open mike was terrifying. There’s nothing more vulnerable than that, period.

But after 50-60 times, I learned to love it, whether the audience was enthusiastic or not. I loved it so much, that I formed my own three-peice band in 2018 (The Cooked Numbers) and played a couple dozen shows. Our bass player was an accomplished producer-engineer and helped me craft the five song, jangle-pop EP ‘Sudden Pictures’ in his well equipped home studio. Performing with the band was a ton of fun, but it ended abruptly due to the pandemic, leaving me solo once again.

Accolades

On a snowy morning in April 2018, I jumped in my car, headed down 94 east, bound and determined to compete in the Annual Singer-Songwriter Competition at the River Falls Bluegrass Festival. I walked away with the first place trophy (below). It was a big deal at the time, a huge confidence booster. 

loud rhythmic youth:

My other musical experience came in the early 1980s when I was a frontman and co-writer for an all-original new wave band named Five Below. Loud and rhythmic, playing a mix of Ska, Tex-Mex, Surf, and Rock styles, that band could whip a crowd into a dancing frenzy at the drop of a hat. Other than playing guitar in church or jamming occasionally with friends, that’s the extent of my musical career. It is what it is, and I am what I am. And if you’re doing the math, you might’ve surmised that I’m not exactly young.

So who’s on my playlist?

Writing songs is the last thing I think about before I drift off to sleep each night, and the first thing on my mind as I awaken each morning. I am obsessed with lyrics and melody, with crazy, obtuse narratives. To understand my musical style or genre, consider the writers that I revere:

Jeff Tweedy, Sharon Van Etten, Neko Case, Elliot Smith, Ryan Adams, Joe Henry, Liz Phair, Andrew Bird, Conor Oberst, John Lennon, and yes, even Taylor Swift. Some of my new loves include Hiss Golden Messenger (MC Taylor), Big Thief (Amanada Lenker), Waxhatchie (Katie Crutchfield), and the list keeps growing.

I may be an old dog, but I love new shit.

Tiny yellow room

My new record is uptempo, bright pop Americana, for lack of a better label. It’s a balance of classic acoustic guitar rhythms buoyed by warbling baritone guitars and a wide range of atmospheric FX played by Randy Casey, anchored by steady drum and bass guitar from Producer Rob Genedak. Vocals of course, by me, with some spot double harmonies to add some polish. Give it a listen, you’ll find something you like, count on that.

Contact:

Scott Zosel: call or text 612-940-5412,
Email: ScottZoselMusic@gmail.com

Reviews

‘Fans of artists such as Slaid Cleaves, Tom Petty and Calexico would certainly enjoy his vision and artistry’

– The Bandcamp Diaries

Contact:

Scott Zosel: call or text 612-940-5412,
Email: ScottZoselMusic@gmail.com

‘Emotionally powerful, incredibly diverse’

Scott’s sound is accomplished and world-class, with a quality that you would expect from the best chart-toppers on the scene. Any fans of artists such as Slaid Cleaves, Tom Petty and Calexico would certainly enjoy his vision and artistry. Flow is a particularly great take on his sound, as it combines elements of folk-rock with the fresh edge of country, going for a very articulate and mercurial sound that’s always engaging and fun to listen to, since it is so unpredictable and refreshing at every twist and turn. It’s not easy to stay eclectic while also pursuing catchy arrangements, but this seems to be Scott’s strength. This song is a really good example of that.

– The Bandcamp Diaries

‘Not clever or complex, or ground-breaking. It’s just good.”

(Flow) is cool and accessible, slightly underground and off-beat but is just the creative shot in the arm that the mainstream needs, It looks back at past traditions, folk, Americana, alt-country, exists in the present exuding modernity and class and sets out an agenda for the future and dares others to follow it.

It isn’t clever or complex, knowing or ground-breaking. It’s just good. So very very good. In fact, it is better than that, it is tasteful. And tastefulness always trumps any other card you can hope to play.

– Dancing About Architecture

‘Cherish every sonic second’

Scott Zosel is known for his wondrous weaving of rock, pop, country and Americana. The up and coming artist’s discography is defiantly diverse and won’t be pinned down to one specific style. This is what makes him such a captivating artist piloting our playlists right now. His upcoming single ‘Flow’ is a sensational sway into the acoustic, folkier field — how long he’ll remain in the indie-folk realm is unclear, so we’ll cherish every sonic second.

– Skope Magazine

‘Fabulous vocal performance, sincere approach’

Singer and songwriter Scott Zosel electrifies the music world with the release of his new single Flow. It opens with warms strums of acoustic guitar before graduating into a full terrain of an unforgettable melody. Flow’s outstanding groove is easy to follow and fully expresses Zosel’s growth. Scott Zosel puts the icing on the cake with a fabulous vocal performance further enhanced by his sincere approach to recording and textured vocalization. Flow by Scott Zosel is an amazing tune that gives value to our relationship with the world at large.

– Warlock Asylum

 

Booking

‘Scott’s music is rootsy and soulful, an interesting combination that’s quite appealing to a broad audience. It’s upbeat, fun to listen to..’

– Don Strong, TC producer

Contact:

Scott Zosel: call or text 612-940-5412,
Email: ScottZoselMusic@gmail.com

upcoming shows


Solo, Duo or Full Band, whatever fits your venue.

I can perform my catalog of originals along with a heatlthy mix of popular covers in 1-3 sets, whatever your venue requires. I can perform solo or as a duo with the talented and versatile guitarist Dan Schwartz. Dan and I also perform as a trio with vocalist/pianist Amy Finch. And, I also have can perform with a full band with players described below.

Dan Schwartz – The term ‘lead guitarist’ doesn’t do this musician justice. Playing slide guitar,  lap steel, plus finger style lead accompaniments both electrically and acoustically, this unique and talented guitarist provides color in ways few can. I am indeed honored Dan joins me on stage to help express my songs. It is a partnership I treasure. Dan has written and released ten CDs and has been featured on several internationally released acoustic guitar compilations including Narada Records Masters of Acoustic Guitar. His recordings have earned him a nomination for guitarists of the year (Minnesota Music Academy) and Folk/Roots album of the year (Mpls. St Paul Magazine).

Nick Salisbury – A national touring musician, Nick is one of the most musically proficient, soulful, and professional bass players in the Twin Cities. Along with playing bass for Shalo Lee, he also has gigged with Jeff Ray & The Stakes, The Irresistibles, Stook & The Jukes, Lizzy Rain and The MN Songwriter’s Showcase. He has also been known to play with Ashleigh Still & The Dirty Dishes, Mary Cutrufello, Redpath, Jesse Langseth, Steve Noonan, Tony Sims, Joe Carey and Nick Hensley’s Love Songs for Angry Men. Nick also arrange and produces with Caleb Garn & 5 Watt Productions, as well as teaching private lessons at Jim Harms’ My Music Store in Golden Valley MN.

Greg Schutte – Muti-talented drummer, producer and sound designer. Over the past 20 years has as performed nationally and internationally with a wide variety of artists/groups, including: The Mickey Hart Band, Chastity Brown Band, Todd Clouser’s A Love Electric, The Hornheads, Jelloslave, Lori Line, Anthony Cox, Test Site 67, Empire Brass, Chuchito Valdez, Bernard Allison, Mary Cutrufello, and many more.