With Previous Musical Contributions From: Ryan Fall, William Caperton, Joe Johnson, Andy Lageson, Aaron Zee, Adam Consatable, Andrew Allen, Steph Alexander, Adam Booker, Bryce Richardson, Justin Burckhard, Hannah Murray, Joshua Syx, Knol Tate, Noah Paster, Bruce Wuollett,
THEMES creates a lush sound scape of proto folk rock mixing thick Baritone guitars, heavy piano driven arrangements, and fiercely pensive rhythms, while male and female vocals intertwine, weaving colorful blankets of stories filled with an ageless haunted insight, that somehow, seems urgently necessary in today’s world. While striking a thoughtful tone, THEMES draws many comparisons to such greats as Nick Cave, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Grace Slick, and Neil Young. McIntosh and Crawford's Sophomore album "War Over The Great Plains" is over an hour of such intensely vivid music that one might feel they are listening to a film score. When it ends, one is left wanting to know more about the mysterious people who make THEMES music.
What began Santa Rosa, CA, in the winter of 2006, as the collaboration between Jacy McIntosh (ex-end transmission, askeleton, ela) and Kelsey Crawford (ex Vox Vermillion). Returned to Minneapolis, with a developed sound, to record their first full length "War Over The Great Plains". As a whole, the album seems to be a sort loaded protest piece, aimed at displacement of native and folk cultures in an age of modernity and capitalistic expansion, while in between, there lies a certain unreachable beauty through the darkness, that is only spoken of briefly before it disappears again behind thick walls of pianos and baritone guitars.
After releasing a full length LP, 2 7"s and a Forthcoming (vinyl only) EP in 2 years, as well as 5 months of tour, THEMES will be headed into the studio in their new home in portland , with yet another full length due this summer
PETALUMA, CA,
NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN, BY GABE MELINE 05-20-08
"Lemme just say first off that when I brought Themes‘ new 7 Inch "I can't make you believe, It's not hopeless to survive." home on Sunday afternoon, I listened to it three times in a row, over and over. It’s that good. Full of optimistic hooks, unifying harmonies, and hopeful lyrics, it’s nothing short of inspiring. It’s the Obama of 7 Inches !!"
PORTLAND, OR,
WILLAMETTE WEEKLY BY AMY MCCULLOUGH. 5-21-08
"This guy-girl duo also claims to play "folk rock," but the songs on its latest full-length, War Over the Great Plains, employ plenty of electric piano and guitar, theatrical vocals and an epic nature that smacks more of post metal than old Americana. (Think Faith No More Videos, and You've got the right idea.) Jacy McIntosh's deep roar of a voice could've sound tracked something like Twister, all foreboding and mysterious and intense. Makes sense, then, that THEMES lists "Mother Nature's random acts of violence" as its only inspiration. Key-tickler Kelsey Crawford, adds loftier, heavenly vocals to all the drama, highlighting the songs' melodies and saving the THEMES message from suffocating in its own smoldering dark-rock fire."
CHICO, CA THEMES LIVE @ THE CRUX GALLERY, BY : RYAN PRADO for Synthesis.net
Themes was instantly engaging; McIntosh’s epic vocal bravado laid the groundwork for the multi-instrumentalists in the band to paint lush resonance within highly progressive musical evolutions. Crawford’s lovely key work added lulling repose to what were by and large monolithic hybrids of folk/rock/orchestral-pop opuses, and the result was hugely impressive; the sparkling brows of the Crux audience nodded along with every plotted beat. Find this band and listen to them today.
Welcome home! The south has been very good to me, and I'm looking forward to stopping home in the next couple weeks too... or rather "homes." Not sure where the road will lead. But I do know I'll be playing the west coast in winter and spring! Let me know what your plans are for February-March and let's play some shows together!
Oh yeah!! Thats actually scheduled for next month on the 14th The Angels rented the Starship Led Zeppelins old jet, we told them it might not make it to the moon and they said "how about a knuckle sandwich" I don't know what they meant but Im not very hungry.
Hi THEMES! Just stopping by your page to see whats good! Keep me in mind if you need any high quality/low cost mastering. All the details and samples are on my page. Feel free to get in touch with any questions. Take care!
Glad we got to play with you guys. Not only was it a great show but you two are fun as hell to hang with... hope the rest of the tour goes well. Let us know if you need anything. -Matt
Hello Themes. This is Drew from Madison, we played at Area 51 together. It was a pleasure meeting you both. Wish you the best with the rest of the tour and everything else. Please keep in touch!
When you have some time, here is a link to some of the pics I took of your show in Spokane. I am sorry that they are not better, I was having a real hard time with the lights. I hope that you see some that you like though. http://ront.smugmug.com/Concerts/Arts-Music-and-More/TH/9561883_MuUsg#643244215_Ngfb2
