Los Angeles singer-songwriter GARY CALAMAR joins the Big Stir Records roster with a new single featuring guest vocals from DEVO's Mark Mothersbaugh and the promise of a long-awaited debut album on the way this Autumn. The single “I Got An Idea” is a literal burst of inspiration in every sense, celebrating the creative spark and previewing what's to come on the full-length album, and it's out September 11 and up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/garycalamar-idea

GARY CALAMAR has long been celebrated as a true music scene Renaissance man. You've seen his name as a renowned music supervisor in the credits to acclaimed television shows from the iconic Six Feet Under to the recent hit 3 Body Problem, and LA residents have, since the '90s, known him as a popular DJ on the the influential radio program The Open Road (originally on KCRW and now airing weekly on KCSN). In the 21st Century, Gary has been increasingly heard as a songwriter and recording artist as well, starting with his acclaimed 2014 debut EP You Are What You Listen To on Atlantic Records and continuing ever since with a well-received series of independent singles, all produced by John Would (Warren Zevon, Fiona Apple). He's won fans with an approach that blends the literate storytelling of Lou Reed with the pop hooks of Tom Petty, the power chords of Pete Townshend and a touch of surreal whimsy reminiscent of Robyn Hitchcock, while forging an identity that's all his own.

This year, things are accelerating rapidly for Calamar, and this new version of the catalog standout “I Got An Idea” serves brilliantly as an emblematic starting point for this next phase. With an infectious abundance of giddy excitement over a creative breakthrough packed into its two-and-a-half-minute run time, it's nearly perfect as a statement of intent for what's to come. Veteran LA scenesters may even recall this Calamar original from its first appearance on beloved alt-rock band Eggplant's second album back in 1990 (Gary was the band's manager) or as the leadoff manifesto on his own debut EP 24 years later, but the new version on this single is most certainly the definitive rendition.

“It's a song that was partly inspired by DEVO, so I was thrilled to have Mark Mothersbaugh add his distinctive vocal stamp over the robotic rhythm and clangorous instrumentation on this newly remixed track,” says Calamar. The tune is a driving and extremely catchy pop rocker, ornamented by machine-like flourishes that evoke Krautrock and of course Mothersbaugh's iconic band as well, all framing lyrics from the perspective of an inventor waxing enthusiastic over his latest brainstorm. “He keeps the details under wraps,” Gary adds, “ but he knows, as the words say, that 'it’s the design of the times, it’s very simple and completely streamlined, read all about it in tomorrow’s headlines.'” That utterly appropriate point of view makes the single a wonderful gateway for diving into the world of GARY CALAMAR, whose album will encompass his entire songwriting career from early works like “Idea” to recent singles like “Distractions” and “Rough Patch” and previously unheard new tracks, including guest shots from more of his friends from the indie music world. Stand by for details!

Expected release: September 11, 2026