Witty, gritty folk artist celebrates CD release

By Ruth Milne, Rapid City Journal staff writer

Lang Termes left the Black Hills for Bozeman, Mont., more than three years ago, and he has been performing his folk-blues fusion in that area ever since.

But now, he's coming home.
The singer-songwriter will return to Rapid City tomorrow to celebrate the release of his new CD, "Streets of a Story." Titles like "Broken Dove," "Pecos the Ramblin' Boy" and "Biker's Souvenir" hint at the stories his songs can tell.

Musically, Termes draws from a broad range of sources: "If it's good music, I like it," he quipped in a recent phone interview.

His influences span nearly a century, including early blues artists like Leadbelly and Robert Johnson, more recent musicians such as Bob Dylan, and local musicians like Leonard Running and Bill Fleming that inspired him along the way.

Termes' inspiration also comes from his artistic family; his father, Dick Termes, is a world-renowned artist, and his mother, Markie Scholz, is an internationally touring puppeteer.

A true folk singer, Termes accompanies his songs only with an acoustic guitar. He plays everything from bright, catchy melodies to gritty traveling songs - but for Termes, the music serves as support and background, because the lyrics are the real focus. They are at turns witty and heartbreaking, with an easygoing, old-fashioned feel similar to Tracy Chapman or Tom Waits.

"My songs are about the moment at hand and/or different experiences that capture my eye, a freeze-in-time kind of thing," he explained.

Termes' muse is one of poetry as well as song. "Dylan Thomas is one of my favorite people in the world; he really did know how to hold the air well," he said.

In fact, Termes thinks of himself as a poet, and he sees his songs as poetry accompanied by music, the two arts combining forces to perfectly capture a moment. "Music holds that moment real well along with words," he said. "I really enjoy the moment, capturing the moment and trying to keep that idea there."

The great variety of life's experiences are presented in sharp detail on "Streets of a Story," which was produced by AsioStudio.com. The album, which Termes describes as "introspective," contains eight original numbers alongside a variety of covers, including his take on Leadbelly's "Bring Me a Little Water."

The initial pressing was 300 CDs. "We'll see how those go, and go from there," Termes said. The CD will be on sale for $12 at Saturday's CD release concert.

At the show, Termes' cousin, improv artist Dylan Fleming, will loosen up the crowd with a short intro. Termes then will perform songs from his new album as well as older works from his past.

Dessert and coffee will follow, and area musicians are invited to bring their instruments and join Termes in an open jam session afterward.

The event will be a homecoming, Termes said, and he is looking forward to seeing in the audience old friends and new to share his timeless music with.

If you go

• What: Lang Termes CD release show.
• When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15.
• Where: Dahl Arts Center, 713 Seventh St., Rapid City.
• Admission: $8 adults, $5 students.