"He'd say, 'I don't understand English, man. I don't care about the words, man,'" said Karp. It made the working relationship strange because lyrics are a major focus of his music. The would-be record company men loved what they heard when Karp returned from Turkey, but he didn't up signing with them.

"I had to admit I really liked it but then I sat back and said, 'This isn't me,'" he said. "It was just too over the top. I never signed a deal with them and we parted ways."

It wasn't a total loss. He came away with an appreciation for a part of the world he'd never seen. "The Turkish people are lovely people, wonderful people, warm people."

He also came out of the whole deal with a slew of new songs, some of which would later surface when he did sign a record deal; this time with Blind Pig. Shadows and Cracks was released in 2007 and is a spectacular mix of blues, folk, rock, country, honky tonk, and more and has received rave reviews (and not just from me).

"I think Blind Pig is responsible- well not responsible- they helped me shape the record in terms of what to put on there," said Karp. "I have a lot of material--more than I know what to do with at this point."

With all that material, Karp has already given some thought to what the next record might sound like. "I think this next record is going to be even more scaled down and very raw," he said. "I'm into the raw." In addition to that, Karp is also working on a duet record with blues guitarist and songwriter Sue Foley on a project that could become something of a "he said/she said" sort of record.

In the meantime, he's still out on the road promoting Shadows and Cracks.

Peter Karp Tour Dates
05/05/2008 Birmingham, AL
05/09/2008 Jefferson LA
05/10/2008 Hattiesburg, MS

06/02/2008 Rockland, ME
06/10/2008 Ridgefield, CT
06/14/2008 Williamsville, NY
06/14/2008 Buffalo, NY