Across a Carnival is the first solo album by Vermont songwriter Chris Clark, a collection of twelve songs shaped by back roads, old mistakes, restless travelers and the uneasy pull of memory. Rooted in Americana and folk-rock but colored by psychedelia, vintage pop and early-1970s roadhouse atmosphere, the album moves through scenes of departure, reunion, regret and half-remembered places with a sure melodic sense and a wry eye for human trouble.

Recorded at Song Catcher Recording in West Townshend, Vermont, Across a Carnival was produced by Ken Anderson of Hungrytown, who worked closely with Clark on the arrangements and played many of the album’s vintage instruments, including Hammond B3, Vox Continental, Wurlitzer electric piano and Ludwig drums. Rebecca Hall of Hungrytown contributes duet and background vocals, while violinist Lissa Schneckenburger appears on “I’m Trying” and the haunting instrumental “Behind the Screen Door.”

Warm, cinematic and subtly strange, Across a Carnival introduces Chris Clark as a songwriter with a distinctive voice: melodic, unsentimental, and drawn to the people and places we almost remember.