To Be One with You
Debut solo album by Josh Klinghoffer under the Pluralone pseudonym.
Pluralone · via Wikipedia: To Be One with You · Fair use
To Be One with You is the first studio album from Josh Klinghoffer, who recorded it under the Pluralone moniker. The record includes contributions from his Red Hot Chili Peppers colleague Flea, Dot Hacker members Eric Gardner and Clint Walsh, Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery, and Jack Irons, who previously drummed for both the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam. Before this album, Klinghoffer had put out the single “Io Sono Quel Che Sono/Menina Mulher Da Pele Preta” as Pluralone.
The first single from the album was “Shade.” A second digital single, “Fall from Grace,” came out on November 12, 2019. Both tracks were posted on the ORG Music label’s SoundCloud profile. Three weeks after the album’s release, it was announced that Klinghoffer was leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers because John Frusciante had returned to the band.
Klinghoffer said John Cale influenced “Shade,” noting he was listening to Cale when the song came together and that it had a caustic quality. He mentioned hearing drum fills that went against the beat and a guitar solo resembling gunshots, though he chose not to use that approach. He brought in Clint Walsh to soften some of the bitterness. On “Fall from Grace,” Klinghoffer described it as an improvised song he spent a long time trying to make coherent, adding that he wasn’t sure he succeeded but felt he captured the original spirit.
“Was Never There,” which features Flea on bass and Jack Irons on drums, and “Obscene” were originally written for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012 and 2015, respectively. In December, the Official Pluralone Fan Club was announced, with the first 250 members receiving a 7-inch vinyl containing the unreleased songs “Obscene” and “Fairy Tale.” Two more B-sides from the album sessions, “Nowhere I Am” and “Directrix,” came out digitally on July 3; “Nowhere I Am” also includes Flea and Irons. A limited 7-inch blue vinyl of these tracks was released on July 17. For the album’s second anniversary in November 2021, fans organized a listening party that featured demos of “You Don’t Know What You’re Doing” and “Fairy Tale,” along with the unreleased songs “It’s a Good Thing” and “Ceylon.”
In a Spin interview, Klinghoffer said 17 songs were worked on during the album sessions, with 16 eventually released and one remaining unreleased. These tracks came out digitally and on 7-inch vinyls.
- Artist
- Josh Klinghoffer (as Pluralone)
- Album
- To Be One with You
- Release year
- 2019
- Label
- ORG Music
- Genre
- Experimental rock
- Notable guests
- Flea, Jack Irons, Eric Avery, Clint Walsh, Eric Gardner
Lore & Background
The album's first single was "Shade," on which Klinghoffer cited John Cale's influence, noting a caustic nature and drum fills that bucked time. The second digital single, "Fall from Grace," was released on 12 November 2019; Klinghoffer described it as an improvised song he spent ages trying to decipher. Two tracks, "Was Never There" (with Flea and Jack Irons) and "Obscene," were originally written for Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
Reader's Guide
To Be One with You marks a significant transition in Josh Klinghoffer's career, serving as his debut solo work under the Pluralone moniker while he was still a member of Red Hot Chili Peppers. The album's release and subsequent departure from the band three weeks later underscore a pivotal moment, as John Frusciante's return reshaped the band's lineup. The album showcases Klinghoffer's multi-instrumental talents and collaborative network, featuring contributions from Flea, Jack Irons, and other notable musicians. Its B-sides and outtakes, released across multiple formats and fan club exclusives, reflect a prolific session that produced 17 songs, 16 of which have been released. The album's significance lies in its documentation of Klinghoffer's artistic identity outside the Chili Peppers, blending improvisation with structured songwriting, and its legacy is tied to the end of his tenure with one of rock's most iconic bands.
Did You Know?
- The album features guest appearances from Flea, Jack Irons, Eric Avery, Clint Walsh, and Eric Gardner.
- Three weeks after the album's release, Klinghoffer parted ways with Red Hot Chili Peppers due to John Frusciante's return.
- Of the 17 songs worked on during the album sessions, 16 have been released and one remains unreleased.
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