Intro:
Rick Gallego has been writing insanely catchy melodic pop music for well over a decade, starting with his self-produced, self-released 1996 debut “Demolicious” (released under the name Jiffipop), continuing with his California-psyche-pop masterpiece, 2002’s “Yellow and Green and Orange and Near” (released under the name Cloud Eleven), and continuing with 2006’s “Sweet Happy Life”. Gallego – a virtual one-man-band – proudly wears his melodic pop influences on his paisley sleeves, crafting familiar-yet-unique musical masterpieces which sport influences ranging from Electric Light Orchestra to latter-day XTC, with the requisite dash of psychedelia thrown in for the fun of it. With long-time musical collaborators Nelson Bragg (Brian Wilson Band) and Zane Smith (Apollo Grass) lending their talents on percussion and guitars, respectively, Gallego delivers more melodic goodness with the stripped-back, semi-acoustic “Sweet Happy Life”, recorded entirely at his home in Los Angeles over the course of the prior year. I recently sat down with Rick and asked him a few questions...

E.C.: Is there any reasoning behind the title of your new album "Sweet Happy Life"?

Rick Gallego: Just that it was something I wanted to find for myself someday. It must have worked because I met my fiancee Mary around the time I was finishing the album! It's also the title of an obscure Peggy Lee song that I'm a fan of.

E.C.: Why the stripped-back approach with the new songs?

Rick Gallego: I wanted to try something new this time around, and I was recording at home so I couldn't use a full drum kit on everything, which led me to using percussion sparingly. I was trying to approach a more laid-back early 70s vibe ala America , etc. using pedal steel and lots of acoustic guitars.

E.C.: What made you decide to track the album on 1/4" analog tape?

Rick Gallego: I bought an inexpensive 1/4" reel to reel tape machine awhile back intending to use for this album. I'm a big fan of the analog tape sound, so that's the main reason. It's also cheaper to record at home.

E.C.: Tell me what the name "Brian Wilson" means to you.

Rick Gallego: It means perfection in the alchemy of melody, harmony and spirituality.

E.C.: You're a painter as well as a songwriter/producer, right? Who are your influences? Favorite periods? Styles?

Rick Gallego: I paint mostly in the abstract style, but I like other forms of art as well, usually from the last 150 years or so. Some of my favorite artists include Van Gogh, Picasso, Miro, Pollock, Warhol and my 6-year-old niece Chloe Sharp.

E.C.: Pink's or Carney's? (Pinks is a landmark Los Angeles hotdog eatery, Carney’s is a landmark Los Angeles hamburger joint)

Rick Gallego: Pink's...since I lived blocks from there for years!

E.C.: The inevitable songwriting question: what comes first, lyrics or music?

Rick Gallego: Nine times out of ten it will be a musical idea first. Lyrics are sometimes difficult for me so they are usually labored over at the end of the songwriting process.

E.C.: Any new artists that excite you, musically?

Rick Gallego: I just discovered Seth Swirsky's album Instant Pleasure, which I think is fantastic...he also has a new band called The Red Button which is equally great.

E.C.: Where do you see yourself in the matrix of the "LA pop scene"?

Rick Gallego: What, there's a pop scene in LA? Seriously, back in the late 90s there seemed to be a happening in LA that was palpable, which I felt I was part of. I think if they ever write a book about the LA pop scene in the future it will be about that period.

E.C.: What's your favorite song on your new album?

Rick Gallego: Probably “Feathers”...it represents the innocence of a perfect love, which I've found with Mary. Also, the front cover of the album depicts this song, with Mary as the model.

E.C.: Bonus question: what's your favorite song of all time?

Rick Gallego: That's a tough one, but the first song that comes to mind is "God Only Knows". It's perfection.