posts about music

Redwood Son’s double CD, “The Lion’s Inside”

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PORTLAND, OREGON-BASED ALT. COUNTRY/AMERICANA ACT, REDWOOD SON TO RELEASE DEBUT, DOUBLE CD, “THE LION’S INSIDE,” JUNE 11TH AT ALADDIN THEATER

Redwood Son — Because Of You from The Sights Of Sounds on Vimeo.

On June 11th at Aladdin Theater, Portland, Oregon’s alt. country/Americana act Redwood Son, the brainchild of front man/songwriter Josh Malm, will release their debut CD, “The Lion’s Inside,” June 11th at Aladdin Theater.

Also on the bill are Sarah Billings, Brad Mackeson, and Jordan Harris.  Tickets are $13.00 in advance.

Redwood Son’s twenty-song double-disc debut, “The Lion’s Inside,” boasts a dynamic versatility that crosses the borders of their West Coast Americana with hook-laden roots-rock and alt. country.

The band’s core sound and early rawness is nostalgically captured on disc one, entitled “Summer of ’77,” produced with a warm analog approach by trusty local engineer Rob Stroup at his 8 Ball Studios.

Then there is disc two, “New Beautiful Day,” was produced simultaneously by Dean Kattari to beckon the band’s mainstream viability, building upon their core with an ease-on-the-ears and communal expansiveness that features plentiful guests including Gretchen Mitchell and Ray Frazier.

Led by singer-songwriter Josh Malm, Redwood Son’s long-awaited release of “The Lion’s Inside” signifies a culmination of Malm’s tireless persistence as a performer and live music presenter throughout the Pacific Northwest since 2005.

Though making an initial mark under his previous moniker, J*Malem, he birthed the concept of Redwood Son in 2009, searching for an honest sound representative of his childhood in the California Redwoods.

The first incarnation of the band was making way towards this very album while establishing a local presence when an unexpected catastrophe struck. On Novemeber 4th, 2009 Redwood Son’s original drummer and Malm’s long-time friend Kipp Crawford was killed in a tragic event that remains partly unsolved.

Though Redwood Son experienced a state of dismantle with uncertain destiny, Malm did not lose sight of their shared vision alongside the standing support of the group’s original guitarist Chance Hayden. The project was resurrected in the spring of 2010 to nobly move forward, recording their much anticipated debut in Crawford’s honor.

On June, 11th 2011 celebrate the release of “The Lion’s Inside” by Redwood Son, as the band headlines an exciting local bill at The Aladdin Theater. One can most certainly expect a powerful performance with soul stirring recollection of their trials and tribulations while they look ahead to a New Beautiful Day.

PRIORY – Portland based electronic/rock, folk quartet releases first CD.

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PORTLAND-BASED INDIE-ROCK/ELECTRONIC-FOLK QUARTET, PRIORY CELEBRATES RELEASE OF SELF-TITLED, DEBUT FULL-LENGTH AT MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS WITH A CD RELEASE SHOW ON JUNE 17TH

PrioryPortland, Oregon-based indie-pop/electronic-folk outfit Priory, comprised of Brandon Johnson (vocals, bass), Kyle Dieker (acoustic guitar, keys, bells, falsetto), Rich Preinesberger (drums), and Greg Harpel (lead guitar, bells, keys), will celebrate the release of their debut, self-titled full-length on June 17th at Mississippi Studios.

Also on the bill are Mackintosh Braun and Lost Lander (featuring Matt Sheehy from Ramona Falls).  Doors are at 8:30pm, show starts at 9pm.  Tickets are $8.00 advance and $10.00 day of show.

“Priory” is the band’s debut full-length and the follow up to 2010’s “Cold Hands” EP.  The album will be released to retail on June 21, 2011 via Portland’s Expunged Records (home of Blind Pilot).

Instantly infectious, yet not a sugar-pop album that will be easily discarded, Priory walks a tightrope between immediately catchy, instantly warming songs, and subdued, complex layers that take multiple listens to start to unravel and understand the true depth of their work.

“It’s finding that balance between the standard acoustic instruments and partnering them with huge electronic bass and keyboard licks,” says the band’s Kyle Dieker when asked to describe their sound. “Priory is all about tones and where those sounds sit in a song.  Blending folk melodies with pop sensibility, Priory takes from a collection of sounds and brings them together into something that is familiar yet innovative.”

Besides layers of instrumentation that help develop the complexity of the songs, contrasting with the ease of the melodies and hooky-ness of their songwriting, Priory also puts a lot of time into their lyrics.  Developing stories that also take the listener more than a few listens to start to completely digest the power of the music.

From comparing a drug addition to a bad relationship (“Devil vs. Heater”), how our perception of family and the importance of it changes as we age (“Searching”), and self-assessment in dying moments (“Coal Mine”).  To songs about fighting for what you believe in (“Worthy Dreams”), being in a relationship with someone who is always being pursued by others (“Kings of Troy”), and realizing life is short (“Cold Hands”), the latter of which is about a couple dying together in a car crash.  Priory doesn’t shy away from tackling some of life’s scariest questions or the thoughts that we all think, but oft-try to suppress.

They come out swinging; creating music that could simply be described as “beautiful,” reeling you in, but offering up much more for those that take the journey and visit it over and over again.

“I want people that hear our album to feel something,” admits Johnson.  “Some of our subject matter is not all that light and fluffy, not unlike life, but I believe there is always a positive side. There is a glass half full, if we choose to perceive it that way.  And, a little nursery rhyme melody can often add a sense of whimsy to a dark subject matter.”

It is that contradiction that builds up and develops throughout the album, with the band toying with the playfulness of it all, while taking everything very seriously.

“Every song on the album means something to us. We did not want there to be any filler,” Johnson adds.

With the record complete, and a band itching to play live, the group plans to hit the road throughout spring, summer, and fall and tour relentlessly. In their new, revamped bus, putting on an amazing live show and converting people the old-fashioned way: one fan at a time, one club at a time, one city at a time.  And, for Priory, that just feels right.  As organic and natural as their songwriting process comes an organically grown fan base.

Water Tower Bucket Boys, Tour In Support of “Sole Kitchen”

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INDIE-BLUEGRASS-FOLK BAND THE WATER TOWER BUCKET BOYS

No Depression said of Portland, Oregon-based Water Tower Bucket Boys and their forthcoming national release, “Sole Kitchen,” that it has a “…harder edge than any folk album you’re likely to hear this year… they’ve adopted the intensity of rock and punk and channeled it into their songs and tunes. But they still love their roots and can’t go through a set without throwing in an old-time ballad or a bluegrass song… Their far-ranging influences enable them to see the common ground between folk, rock, punk and even jazz, and they draw from this common ground to create their unique sound.”

 

TOUR DATES:

  • 5/13/11 – LaurelThirst Public House – Portland, OR
  • 5/19/11 – Sam Bond’s Garage – Eugene, OR
  • 5/20/11 – Apple Jam Festival – Ashland, OR
  • 5/22/11 – Axe & Fiddle – Cottage Grove, OR
  • 5/24/11 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
  • 5/25/11 – Goodfoot – Portland, OR
  • 5/28/11 – Folklife Festival-Raisin A Ruckus Show – Seattle, WA
  • 6/04/11 – W.O.W. Hall – Eugene, OR
  • 6/15/11 – Weiser National Fiddle Festival – Weiser, ID
  • 6/22/11 – Goodfoot – Portland, OR
  • 6/23/11 – Traditions – Olympia, WA
  • 6/24/11 – Slim’s – Seattle, WA
  • 6/27/11 – Amnesia – San Francisco, CA
  • 6/29/11 – Crepe Place – Santa Cruz, CA
  • 7/01/11 – Redwood Bar & Grill – Los Angeles, CA
  • 7/02/11 – Red Barn Concert Series – Los Osos, CA
  • 7/03/11 – Russian River – Santa Rosa, CA

A fitting description for the band and their fourth full-length and first national release, “Sole Kitchen,” engineered, mixed, and produced by MxPX/Tumbledown front man Mike Herrera at Herrera’s Monkey Trench Studios in Bremerton, Washington.

The band will be releasing “Sole Kitchen” via brick and mortar distribution, their first album to be nationally distributed to retail, on April 26, 2011.

Having performed on radio shows such as BBC, NPR, and RTE, and sharing the stage with acts as diverse as Old Crown Medicine Show, Mumford and Sons, Wilco, The Red Stick Ramblers, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, and Woody Pines, the Water Tower Bucket Boys have honed their skills (and sound) to win over an eclectic array of audiences.

“Old Crow Medicine Show, who we are big fans of and have influenced us a lot, have been instrumental in our career,” states one of the band’s multi-instrumentalists/co-vocalist Kenny Feinstein.  “Gill Landry [from Old Crow Medicine Show] gave us an exact busking route from North Carolina back to Oregon that we followed town for town, bar for bar.  He is known as the king of busking in our circle and we were grateful for this ‘secret’ route.  He taught us about little bars in tiny towns that would profit well for us.  Every turn on Gill’s map was an exciting and fruitful venture.”

Busking is how Water Tower Bucket Boys got their start, playing traditional, old-time music and bluegrass on street corners up and down the west coast, before progressing to square dances and bluegrass festivals.

After several trips to Europe and back, and being introduced and influenced by many other bands, including Velvet Underground, cajun culture and music, Chuck Ragan/Hot Water Music (Ragan hand-picked the band to perform on a leg of last year’s Revival Tour), Mumford and Sons, Wilco, and even electronic music (even if it doesn’t reflect in their music), Water Tower Bucket Boys sought to expand their sound even further, incorporate more of their current listening tastes into the music, and the result is “Sole Kitchen.”

“Water Tower is about trying to defy definition,” says banjo/guitarist and co-vocalist Cory Goldman.  “We’ve been shifting around stylistically as long as we’ve been a band and are continuing to evolve.  Its about being true to our roots but also not being afraid to experiment and push forward.”

Meeting Mike Herrera through a friend, they eventually met up with him at a Tumbledown show, gave him a copy of some of their music, and a dialogue began.  Soon the band found themselves in Bremerton, Washington, for a weekend, recording at Herrera’s studio what would become “Sole Kitchen.”

Tracking and mixing in a whirlwind two days, the band recorded the entire record one day (sans a few overdubs the next), setting up a few mics and doing what they do best: playing live.

“Our sound is loosely based in the traditions of old time, bluegrass, punk rock, blues, Cajun, and country,” explains Josh Rabie, the band’s third multi-instrumentalist and co-vocalist.  “We pride ourselves on tight, three-part harmonies and powerful instrumentals.  And, when we were recording with Mike, we really just wanted to capture all that energy on record.  I think we accomplished it.”

Adds Goldman, “‘Sole Kitchen’ was really just our first step in a new direction, trying to redefine the nature of the band beyond just rocking out tunes and songs.  I really feel like its our first album all over again in a way, our first one done in a professional studio and our first one where we are really putting all our skills out there.  It’s about opening the door to the next new thing!”

One of the album’s high points is “Heaven,” one of the first tracks the band ever decided to have drums on, and the song that inspired them to decide to incorporate drums on future songs and recordings.

Other album highs include “Telegraph,” a song that chronicles a true night the band experienced in Berkeley, California after purchasing acid from a punk on the street while busking.  “Blackbird Pickin’ At A Squirrel,” a song that showcases the band’s instrument versatility and musical style and “Goatheads,” a number about one of the members blacking out while on tour are two more album highs.  As is “Numb,” a song that tackles the problem of addictive behavior.

“Our goals with ‘Sole Kitchen’ are to reach people who have never enjoyed the banjo, mandolin, or fiddle. To bring songs that are relevant in today’s social climate while maintaining their roots,” comments Feinstein.

Cory Goldman (banjo, guitar, vocals), Kenny Feinstein (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, vocals), and Josh Rabie (fiddle, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, vocals) comprise Water Tower Bucket Boys.

Cool Nutz “A Birthday To Remember” – TUESDAY MAY 10th

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A message from Cool Nutz:

I wanted to reach out to you personally and let you know about my upcoming birthday party that will be taking place on Tuesday May 10th.  We will be ringing in my birthday in grand fashion.  We have a great line up of talent and I would love to see you there.

We have appearances from Maniac Lok, Illmaculate, Mikey Vegaz, Dubble OO, Arjay, Spark Diggz, and J-Ritz & Saywords.  The night will be hosted by DJ Fatboy and Official Portland Trailblazer DJ OG One.

I would love to share my birthday with you and spend this time with friends, family, and other special people that have been involved in my life. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Tuesday May 10th, 2011

“JusFamilyRecords.com & Runaway Productions Present“
“A Birthday to Remeber…”
Ash St Saloon 21 & over w/ I.D. 9pm
225 SW Ash St
Portland, OR 97204
LINE UP:
  • Cool Nutz
  • Maniac Lok
  • Illmaculate
  • Mikey Vegaz
  • Dubble OO
  • Arjay
  • Spark Diggz
  • & J-Ritz & Saywords
  • hosted by DJ Fatboy & DJ O.G. One

IT’S BLACK ‘N BLUE TIME. AGAIN!

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“HELL YEAH!” FINALLY SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE ON FRONTIERS

Black N Blue 2011

Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of the new album from Portland-based Rockers Black ‘N Blue on May 13 in Europe and May 17 in North America.
Hell Yeah! is a proud comeback statement for a band that wrote the pages of hard rock history in the 80’s. Black ‘N Blue released four successful and critically-acclaimed albums through Geffen Records: their self-titled debut (1984), ìWithout Loveî (1985), ìNasty Nastyî (1986), and ìIn Heatî (1987), with the latter two albums produced by the legendary Gene Simmons of KISS. Catalogue sales in the US were in excess of one million units and the band’s original guitar player Tommy Thayer went on to replace Ace Frehley in the current KISS lineup.

Black ‘N Blue reunited for the first time in 2003 under the initiative of singer Jaime St. James, when he began writing tracks for a new album along with original member,Jef “Woop” Warner. The process came to a halt when St. James joined Warrant as their new lead vocalist in February of 2004. In recent years, Jaime has been releasing records and touring the world with Warrant.

In late 2008, plans to get back into the studio and finish the ìHell Yeah!î album were underway, as well as festival appearances and other touring. ìThe band’s line-up is all original except Shawn Sonnenscheinî, tells Jaime St. James ìbut he has been in the band now for about 8 years. Still the new guy….Jeez!î. Black ‘N Blue recently joined the ever-expanding roster of Frontiers Records.

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Black 'N Blue - Hell Yeah

ìHell Yeah!î goes back to the roots of the ìclassicî Black ‘N Blue sound, mixing tight and hard rocking songs with a sleazy attitude. “This new album is a real thrill for us and all of the BNB fans” says St. James. “Our last studio recording was in 1988 so it’s a big deal. This is a classic BNB-sounding CD and could be described as a cross between all our previous records. It is heavy for the most part, but I like to think it reminds me of our first album. That’s why we brought back the original logo. We just modernized it”.

Black ‘N Blue will make a special live appearance at the M3 Rock Festival at the Merryweather Post Pavilion in Columbus MD on May 14. More shows and festivals to be announced.

The new album ìHell Yeah!î will include the following tracks: Monkey; Target; Hail Hail; Fool’s Bleed; C’mon; Jaime’s Got The Beer; Angry Drunk Son Of A Bitch; So Long; Trippin’; Falling Down; Candy; Hell Yeah!; World Goes Round.
WebLinks: www.frontiers.it / www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords / www.myspace.com/blacknblueofficial.

Info from melodicrock.com

Will we see a special Portland show before anyone else? we can only hope.

Lloyd Jones “Highway Bound” CD Release Concert April 28th

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Veteran singer songwriter Lloyd Jones will release a long awaited solo acoustic recording of traditional folk blues April 19 nationwide on Underworld Records  titled “Highway Bound”. This collection of old favorites,  represents a long history of rich memories and songs gathered traveling through the years with Big Mama Thorton, Charlie Musselwhite, George “Harmonica” Smith, Big Walter Horton and so many others that paved the way. Special guests include Curtis Salgado and Charlie Musselwhite.

“Lloyd has been a good friend of mine for over 30 years (maybe even longer) and he has always been a great guitar player – great tone and phrasing from the heart. Lloyd is one of the nicest guys in the business – I always look forward to seeing Lloyd and hearing him play.”

Charlie Musselwhite

The Special “CD Release Acoustic Birthday Party Concert” will begin with a short set by one of Jones’ favorite “piedmont pickers” Mary Flower.

In this beautiful setting Jones will play through songs from his new “Highway Bound” recording.  Throughout the night Jones will be joined by Portlands own harmonica legend Bill Rhodes and piano goddess Janice Scroggins, with a return visit from Flowers. No doubt, a birthday to remember! “Put your feet up and smile baby”

Lloyd Alberta Poster

  • April 28th The Alberta Rose Theatre

  • NE Alberta St., Portland, OR)

  • Presents

  • Lloyd Jones “Highway Bound” CD Release

  • Acoustic Birthday Party Concert

  • w/ Mary Flower

  • And Friends!

Tickets  $22 includes CD   $12 without CD

Kasey Anderson & the Honkies’ Hit the Road; and Release Music Video “The Wrong Light”

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PORTLAND SHOWS:

  • 5/18/11 – Mississippi Studios (with Gasoline Silver) – Portland, OR
  • 5/28/11 – Mississippi Studios (with Sera Cahoone) – Portland, OR


Official website: http://www.kaseyanderson.com
Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/kaseyanderson

Seattle and Portland-based Kasey Anderson & The Honkies have a lot going on.  The band has just released their debut full-length, “Heart of a Dog” (Red River Records), and with the album’s release are releasing the music video for the album’s first single, “The Wrong Light.”

See the music video at http://vimeo.com/20160548?ab

The band’s Daytrotter session was recently released, too.
Daytrotter session: http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/kasey-anderson-concert/20032242-37382272.html

Also, the band has recently released an iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/app/kasey-anderson-the-honkies/id418992858?mt=8

TOUR DATES:

  • 5/18/11 – Mississippi Studios (with Gasoline Silver) – Portland, OR
  • 5/19/11 – Great American Music Hall (with The Knitters) – San Francisco, CA
  • 5/20/11 – The Mystic Theatre (with The Knitters) – Petaluma, CA
  • 5/22/11 – Amnesia (with Gasoline Silver) – San Francisco, CA
  • 5/25/11 – Bar Pink (with Gasoline Silver) – San Diego, CA
  • 5/27/11 – Redwood Bar (with Gasoline Silver) – Los Angeles, CA
  • 5/28/11 – Mississippi Studios (with Sera Cahoone) – Portland, OR
  • 6/11/11 – Tractor Tavern (with Lazy Susan) – Seattle, WA
  • 6/18/11 – King Cat Theatre (with Soul Asylum) – Seattle, WA

Comprised of Kasey Anderson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Andrew KcKeag (guitar, vocals), Eric Corson (bass), and Mike Musburger (drums), Kasey Anderson & The Honkies bring a wealth of a “who’s who” of Northwest rock to their latest offering.  McKeag has spent time in Presidents of the United States of America and The Long Witers, Corson in The Long Winters and, of course, Musburger from The Fastbacks, Young Fresh Fellows, The Posies, The Supersuckers, and countless other cult Seattle power-pop and indie-rock bands.

“Heart of a Dog,” which was produced by Kasey Anderson and The Honkies and Jordan Richter features guest appearances by The Decemberists’ Jenny Conlee (accordion), Richmond Fontaine’s Dave Harding (bass), and several other friends and fellow NW musicians.

With all this going for it, it is no surprise that “Heart of a Dog” has allowed Anderson to move beyond the “roots-rock” or “alt. country” tags he’s previously been welcomed with, and make the rock record he’s envisioned for quite some time.

“I was tired of playing solo shows and I was even more tired of the words ‘roots rock,’” Anderson says by way of explanation. “I just wanted to make a rock ‘n’ roll record.”

Comprised of ten tracks that cannot be mistaken for anything other than rock ‘n’ roll, from the sinister riff of the album’s opening track, “The Wrong Light,” to the barroom piano of the plaintive closer, “For Anyone,” “Heart of a Dog” captures an energy that Anderson insists can come only when “everybody’s in the same room, at the same time.”

To further ensure that each song carried its own immediacy, Anderson – who made his first foray into the producer’s chair on “Heart of a Dog” – refused to play guitar while tracking with his band. “The natural tendency of any ‘backing band’ is to follow the lead of the guy who wrote the songs, especially when he’s got a guitar,” Anderson says. “I wanted to let the band dictate the groves.”

McKeag, a veteran of the Seattle music scene for nearly two decades (with service in The Supersuckers, The Long Winters, and Presidents of the USA to his credit), handles the responsibility ably, filling “Heart of a Dog” with an impressive array of guitar work, from the Stonesy swagger of “Mercy” to the bluesy, Waitsian stomp of “Revisionist History Blues.” Even the album’s more somber material – “Your Side of Town” and “My Blues, My Love” – feature sprawling, atmospheric guitar. “Heart of a Dog” bears the same beautifully literate lyricism that has become a hallmark of Anderson’s work but, in allowing room for McKeag and The Honkies to shine, Anderson has opened up sonic possibilities left unexplored on his previous albums.

Once the band had finished tracking, Anderson invited friends by the studio to, as he says, “play whatever they wanted so long as it was interesting.” Ralph Huntley (Richmond Fontaine), Jenny Conlee (The Decemberists), Garth Klippert (Old Light), Lewi Longmire (Blue Giant), and David Lipkind (I Can Lick Any SOB in the House) all dropped in, leaving Anderson with “more good noise than [he] knew what to do with.”

As Anderson and co-producer/engineer Jordan Richter sorted through all of the “good noise,” they found one very interesting common thread: laughter. “There was somebody laughing at the end of every take, no matter how good or bad,” Anderson says. “Not nervous or embarrassed laughter. Excited laughter; people having fun. We left some of it in. If people listen to this record as loud as I want them to, they’ll hear it.”

The Troublemakers CD release show!

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troublemakers CD release posterStanding at the crossroads of twang and tremolo, Rich Layton and The Troublemakers play high-octane honky tonk music, harmonica fueled and swampified. It’s the sound of an East Texas roadhouse where the crowds are a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll – and out on the dance floor all night long!

Their second release, “Tough Town” is primed and ready for take-off, and the cd release party will be the place. Saturday April 16th 6pm. At the Secret Society Ballroom, 116 Northeast Russell St. portland OR 503-493-3600

Portland is VERY blessed to have landed this one-of-a-kind original band.

Here’s the title track attached to get the blood flowing…rough,tough, chewy and very tasty!

 

Tough Town [powerpress]

 

Troublemakers CD Review

Chris Marshall’s CD release show – April 14th at Doug Fir Lounge w/ Richmond Fontaine

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Official website: http://www.chrismarshallmusic.com
Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/chrismarshallmusic

chris marshal August Light

August Light new CD by Chris Marshall

On April 14, 2011, Portland, Oregon roots-rock artist Chris Marshall will celebrate the release of his debut full-length, “August Light,” at Doug Fir Lounge.

Also on the bill is Richmond Fontaine (headlining) and The Low Bones (opening).  Doors are at 8pm, show starts at 9pm. Tickets are $10 advance, or $10 at the door.

We’ve all lost friends and loved ones along the way.  Some to natural causes, others to health-related problems, while some to unexpected events.  All are tragic, in their own way, and each leave a lasting effect on us.

It never gets easy, as Portland, Oregon-based roots-rock artist Chris Marshall sings about on his debut full-length, “August Light,” an exploration of life; tackling universal themes of love, travel, finding one’s self, friendship, betrayal, heartache, and redemption.

“If there’s any gift the winter brings, it’s the deathless scent that seeds the spring,” Marshall sings in “Every Time the Wind Blows,” summarizing the album (and thus Marshall’s) outlook on life and life’s tests.

“Every season lends itself to the next, both literally and metaphorically in terms of the seasons we experience in our own lives,” Marshall examines, discussing the line.  “The most desperately seeming situations often produce the most profound growth, just as the winter makes way for the spring.”

Discussing interpersonal/relational betrayal (“Thirty Pieces of Silver”), love (“Can’t Wait to Take You Home”), loneliness, incomplete, and feeling as if you have no home (“For Too Long Now”), and life having ultimate dominion over death (“Every Time the Wind Blows”), the album carries heavy subject matter while pondering life.  But, it isn’t without its good-times and uplifting moments.

“Killing Time,” for example, is a playful honky-tonk romp, which gives the album an upbeat, cheerful dance number to kick back and enjoy.

“I wrote the entire song in the car without a guitar and performed it that night,” recalls Marshall, admitting that more than a few times he’s written a complete song in his head before ever picking up the guitar.  “I wanted to try writing a song with that classic country cleverness.”

Marshall isn’t afraid to write pop or love songs, which is evident with “We’ll Carry On (My Love),” which uses lyrical interplay between scenes of disparity and moments of ascendance: night and day, peaks and valleys.

“When I sing it I’m drawing upon the experience of making it work with my wife in the difficult economic times we’ve faced the last couple years.”

“I Found You” is another love song on the album, winding through the process of finding contentedness in love, beauty, and joy.  It’s an ode to the simplicity of love, Marshall will tell you.

The son of a preacher that founded his own church, Marshall grew up with religion at home and even played and led the church’s music.  This influence is reflected on the gospel-inspired number, “A Hallelujah Song.”

“The song has an obvious gospel influence and feel, but it is far more than that for me,” says Marshall.  “It explores spiritual and existential frustration with the human condition of unknowing and mystery. I wrote itin desperation and want it to express an element of unsettledness. It has also taken on a depth of meaning during the recording process that was unexpected and tragic.”

The result is a country record that pays homage and tribute to the forefathers, such as Kristofferson, Nelson, and Cash, but also gets Marshall’s voice across, figuratively and metaphorically speaking.

Now, the only thing left for him to accomplish with “August Light” is to get as many people as he can to listen to it.

CD RELEASE SHOW: Crown Point – April 1st at Doug Fir Lounge

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Crown PointPortland, Oregon-based pop-rock outfit, Crown Point are celebrating the release of their debut EP, “Wolves,” April 1st at Doug Fir.  A six-song collection of tight, well-produced pop-rock songs, Crown Point delivers a hook-laden, radio-friendly sound that further penetrates your ears with lyrical depth on the EP.

Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm.  Tickets are $8 advance, $10 day of show.

Consisting of Jon Davidson (vocals/guitar), Russell Stafford (vocals/guitar), and Kaycee Kay (drums), Crown Point focuses on hooks as much as they do lyrics, creating a polished, friendly sound that doesn’t grow old or tired after repeated listens.

Formed in late 2009, the band already has a national tour under their belts, as well as an appearance at 2010’s SxSW Music Conference.

The Boise Weekly calls Crown Point’s music “sweet alt/rock with a swirl of pop on top.”

Their debut, “Wolves,” produced by Jeff Johnson (Jet Black Stare, Faber Drive, Adelita’s Way) and engineered by Chris Holmes (The Veer Union, Katy Perry, Simon Collins), and featuring Nickelback’s Daniel Adair on drums, helped Crown Point flesh out their sound and bring to life the ear candy as much as the musical depth in each song.

With the completion and forthcoming release of “Wolves,” as well as constant touring planned by the band, Crown Point hopes to make a mark the old fashioned way.  They’ve already written a catchy collection of songs that will resonate with the listener.  And, now they plan to pound out the pavement to make sure listeners get a chance to hear them.