WISECHILD
Contact: wisechild2021 [at] gmail.com
Luke Bulla - [lead vocal, acoustic & electric guitars, acoustic fiddle]
Casey Driessen - [electric and acoustic fiddle, mandocaster, background vocal]
Matt Mangano - [electric bass, electric guitar, background vocal]
Pasi Leppikangas - [drum kit, percussion]
Wisechild was an acoustic based rock band out of Nashville, TN in the early-mid 2000's formed by singer/writer/fiddler/guitarist Luke Bulla, bassist/writer/singer Matt Mangano, drummer/writer Pasi Leppikangas, and fiddler/mandocaster-ist Casey Driessen.
In addition to early demos and an EP, Wisechild made one record called Firstborn — as all the members were the oldest siblings in their families. This record was pressed by the band and only sold at shows. The members eventually went different directions and Firstborn did not keep up with the digital age.
Then, on August 1, 2021, drummer Pasi Leppikangas passed away. In memory of their friend and bandmate, Luke, Matt, and Casey decided to re-release Firstborn to streaming services and share Pasi’s great grooves and vibes to all who may listen.
Thank you for listening.
THE RECORD
1) WIN
L.Bulla (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Vocals.Acoustic Guitar.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddles.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Hammond Organ.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums.
2) JUST FINE
L.Bulla/M.Mangano (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP/Studio 737 Music, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Vocals. Electric Guitar.
Casey Driessen • Mandocaster. Mandotar.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Acoustic Guitar.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums. Percussion.
3) BREAK AWAY
M.Mangano/J.Mayer (Studio 737 Music, ASCAP/Specific Harm Music/Sony Pub, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Lead Vocal. Acoustic Guitar. Violin.
Casey Driessen • Lead Acoustic Fiddle.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Electric Guitar.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums.
4) ON THE FLOOR
L.Bulla (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Vocals. Electric Guitars.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddles.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Piano.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drum Kit. Percussion.
5) PERFECT DAY
L.Bulla (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Vocals. Acoustic Guitar.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddles. Electric Fiddle.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Electric Guitar.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drum. Percussion.
6) 28th of February
L.Bulla/M.Mangano (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP/Studio 737 Music, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla Lead • Vocal. Acoustic Guitar. Violin Solo 2nd half.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddles. Solo 1st half.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums. Percussion.
7) IN YOUR MIND
L.Bulla/M.Mangano/P.Leppikangas (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP/Studio 737 Music, ASCAP/Stixsong Music, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Lead Vocal. Acoustic Guitar. Background Vocals.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddles.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Electric Guitar. Background Vocal.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums. Percussion.
8) B MINOR
L.Bulla/C.Driessen (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP/C-String Tunes, ASCAP)
Luke Bulla • Acoustic Violin L Side.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddle R Side.
9) WORKIN' ON A BUILDING
Traditional, Arr. Wisechild
Luke Bulla • Vocal. Acoustic Violin L Side.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddle R Side.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums.
10) BEAUTY & THE MESS
L.Bulla/C.Thile (Redding Theory Music, ASCAP/Southern Melody Music, BMI)
Luke Bulla • Vocals. Acoustic Guitar. Lead Violin.
Casey Driessen • Acoustic Fiddle Rhythm.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass. Electric Guitar.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums.
11) Sometimes I Have the Strangest Dreams*
H.Ketchum/R.Rutherford (Mephisto Music Inc. & Universal Music, ASCAP / Spike Horn Music, BMI)
*Previously Unreleased Demo
Luke Bulla • Vocals. Acoustic Guitar. Lead Violin.
Casey Driessen • Mandocaster.
Matt Mangano • Electric Bass.
Pasi Leppikangas • Drums.
Tom Britt • Electric Guitar.
CREDITS
Produced by Wisechild
Photo • Bill Steber
Album Design • Joel Eby
Recorded at •
The Parlor (Nashville TN), BBQ Productions (Nashville TN), Studio 737 (Franklin TN), Brickshy Audio (Leipers Fork TN), Sonic Art Studio (Nashville TN), Famous Music (Nashville TN)
Engineered by •
Andy Roddick, Jan Stolpe, Matt Mangano, Brian Kolb, Reid Schelza, Casey Driessen
Mixed by • Neal Capalino (Nashville TN), Tracks 1-9
Mixed by • Jan Stople at Sonic Art Studio, (Nashville TN), Track 10
Mastered by • Jim Demaine at Yes Master (Nashville TN) / Randy Leroy at Final Stage (Nashville TN), Track 11
Thanks to •
Tom & Karen Driessen, John Cowan, Dan Keen, Kathleen Carey, Courtny Hard, John Peets, Jay Williams, John Mayer, Justin & Molly Thompson, Molly Nagel, Tim O'Brien, The Mercy Lounge, Tim Clark, Clay Cook, Jan Stolpe, Ron Rigsby, WMA Office, Randy Leroy, Andy Roddick, Francois Rollin, Scotty Crowe, Jamie Cheek, Jay Williams, John Silakowski, Arthur Buenahora, Reid Hunter, Jeff Autry, Jessica Cardinale, Cop Killer & Princess Buttercup, Cody Kilby, Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camp, The Holzen's, Sarah Majors, Joel Eby, Jenny Anne Mannan, Francisco Vidal, Carol Jed Jesse Hannah Kit and Allegra Bulla, Brad Bulla, Larry Sheridan and Robin Ruddy, Austin Majors, Rachel Leppikangas, John Paul Laurence, Jon Sexton, Chris Thile, Sean & Sara Watkins, Tava & Twyla.
Luke Bulla strums Tacoma Acoustic Guitars
Casey Driessen saws Silakowski & NS Design Fiddles with D'Addario Strings
Pasi Leppikangas hits Sabian Cymbals