Shwa Losben is living the musician’s dream. Making a living recording and playing live, seeing different parts of the country and the world, living in New York, DC, Philly, London. A jet setter he is.

“Something like that,” Shwa laughs. “I eat peanut butter and jelly three times a day. It’s hot and cold, but I haven’t had to ask my parents for rent.”

OK, maybe not a jet setter in the traditional sense, but things are going pretty darn well for the former DC resident. Losben has a new solo disc out titled “Chop Chop” and has some shows lined up, including IOTA on Feb. 16.
“I use the term solo loosely,” said Losben. “There’s a full band on the record. It’s definitely a stripped-down effort. I can breathe a little more.”

The effort is without Losben’s usual band, simply named Shwa, but does have a backing band. He wrote the songs found on the disc in 2006, recorded in Austin last January and recently completed the disc. It hits the streets Feb. 12.
“I’m just really lazy,” joked Losben when asked about the year between recording and releasing the disc. “I wanted to wait for the right packaging, (and) make sure promotion was lined up. Not going to rush it.”

The result is a charming, interesting effort. It is catchy, stripped down and has a very Elliot Smith-like feel at times. Much of the time it’s Losben and guitar, the backing band doing just that — backing. Storytelling is a strong suit of his, and Losben hits all the right notes with compelling tales. Track highlights include “Myriah,” “Hanging by a Thread,” “Abigail,” “Never Too Soon to Compromise (Yourself And All Your Values!!)” and  “The Ballad of Henry Rowengartner” (an odd tribute to the 1993 film “Rookie of the Year.”)

Losben credits his vagabond existence as inspiration for his writing.

“Living in a new environment,  it forces you to be a little more creative,” he said. “A lot of it is an environmental influence.”
Losben is originally from Philadelphia, went to school in DC and has lived in New York (currently his residence) and London.
“I still feel like DC is home,” he said. “The band is based in DC.”

Also part of Shwa’s resume is a stint as music editor of this magazine for a few months in 2004.

“Made me the man I am today,” Shwa said somewhat tongue-in-cheek after some cajoling.

Regardless of the effect a former music editor job may have had on him, the future looks pretty solid for Schwa.

“[The] goal ultimately is to go to a new town and the people know the songs,” Losben said. “I’m not expecting to be on the cover of ‘Rolling Stone.’”

CD REVIEW

Shwa Losben
'Chop Chop'
www.shwamusic.com
Excellent kind-of solo effort from a kind-of local. OK, it is a solo effort in that it’s Losben’s project without his regular band. And he no longer lives here, resting his head in New York City, but he lived here for years and is always playing shows in the area.  Anyway, the album is haunting, revealing levels past just the usual singer-songwriter ennui. Sounds like Elliot Smith at times, but that’s unfair. Losben is his own man. With the voice and chops worthy of repeated listens, you’ll get lost in this disc. And be glad you did.