Casiotone for the Painfully Alone

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Chicago, United States (1997 – 2010)

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (CFTPA) was the beats-and-keys solo project of singer, songwriter and Chicago resident, Owen Ashworth. Drawing heavy influence from traditional Americana as well as 80’s synth pop and commercial hip hop, the music of CFTPA is a curious mix of austere character studies and playful electronic programming.

Owen Ashworth started to make music on a small casio keyboard back in 1997. His first two albums, “Answering Machine Music” and “Pocket Symphonies for Lonely Subway Cars,” were made using nothing but small, battery-operated keyboards and Ashworth’s own voice (along with occasional accompaniment by guest musicians). These early albums are now available on one CD, appropriately titled “The First Two Albums by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.”

Ashworth has released numerous EPs and full-length albums, with a trademark austere lyrical style that conveys emotions through its simplicity and directness.

CFTPA expanded its sound in 2006 with Ashworth’s release ‘Etiquette,’ now using more instruments and effects (as well as more professional production and vocals from Jenny Herbinson). This album has given Ashworth room for experimentation and thinking space.

In 2009, CFTPA’s newest album, titled ‘Vs. Children,’ was released.
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  • Darmarho

    born in the usa and streets of philadelphia covers are simply amazing..

    last month

  • SugarRookie

    I love this guy so much, even if he does just make me really sad

    last month

  • UntoAshes

    He really speaks with feeling, doesn't he? You can hear him sighing beside the lyrics like he's talking about things that affected him deeply. He almost makes me cry.

    last month

  • brandonmjones

    One of the greater musical endeavors i've discovered recently. you know that feeling where you listen to something for the first time and you realize it's going to a strong relationship between the tunes and your ears? yeah, that's how i feel right now. so brilliant.

    March 2012

  • anthropogenic

    this is tight.

    March 2012

  • spldgldj

    as i can see you're not really into lo-fi (at all?) i recommend starting with either etiquette or vs. children, where the latter is simply great if one is contemplating getting a child, and then making the transfer slow by going backwards in chronological order. i remember answering machine being just a bunch of noise and after a while it was the only album i listened to. but i basically took everything (etiquette<->answering) on at once. battery life keeps some damn good covers and one off-singles.

    February 2012

  • shallowdaydream

    what is the best album to start with??

    February 2012

  • jasonbrevity

    I can not for the life of me, remember that song that CFTPA did with that hip hop artist. Can someone give me a link?

    February 2012
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10 Apr 2012 | from cftpaforever.livejournal.com/

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