PUT THIS CITY ON MY SHOULDERS. Brent Engle, Eric Moore, and brothers Todd and Tim Corley were all born, raised, and live in the small town of New Albany, Indiana, making music under the name BETWEEN TWO LIONS. Inspired by this shared upbringing and their longtime friendship, the band has made a record that blurs the line between the alternative rock and country genres with an artists precision.
Put This City On My Shoulders is the band's second album and represents a whole new level of ambition. The album tells the story of growing up in a small town; leaving to explore the world; then returning, resigned to the fact that one can never truly leave; and finally embracing that fact. Engle's feeling of attachment to the region is a common thread throughout his writing on the record.
In keeping with the spirit of the albums title, the band chose an oil on canvas abstract painting by local Louisville artist and friend Michael Nicolas entitled City, for the album cover artwork. Engle makes no secret that the painting, with the words Put this city on my shoulders scribed across its canvas, was the inspiration for the album theme and title. In the album's concluding track, Engle bookends the record with the statement, "I know I can lean on this town / when the time is right / and when the time is right / I'll put this city on my shoulders."
STOP, REWIND, PLAY. The band tapped Lexington, Kentucky, producer Duane Lundy to produce the album - their first full-length record. Lundys work with other artists such as VHS OR BETA and PARLOUR BOYS - coupled with his appreciation for the alternative country genre - led him to a chance encounter with BETWEEN TWO LIONS at one of their 2005 shows. Recorded at Lundy's Lexington studio (Shangri-la Productions), the band set out to make the best record possible and make it on their terms.
A stark contrast to the indie rock appeal of their 2004 self-titled debut release,
Put This City On My Shoulders is less straight-forward at times and has a more warm and intimate feel to it. Lundy creates this atmosphere through his use of an eclectic collection of vintage instruments, recording gear, and techniques; as well as a Nashville tuned acoustic guitar. With his experience and gear, Lundy's atmosphere became the fifth member of BETWEEN TWO LIONS during the recording process and ultimately sets this record apart from its peers.
Moore and Todd Corley provide percussion and bass, respectively, forming an understated yet consistent backing rhythm that provides a nice contrast to Engle's acoustic guitars and vocal delivery, which are strong enough to stand on their own as a singer/songwriter type record. Tim Corley's pedal steel and electric guitars provide a unique texture to the music and contribute to the overall distant rural atmosphere of the album.
The Put This City On My Shoulders track list includes: Attic Flowers, Approximity Affect, Madeline, No Parachute, What Treasure, Blessed Steamroller, Controlled Burn, Red Flashing Lights, Letter From The Inside, Rain Parade, and A Mouth Full Of Magic.
PRESS, RELEASE. BETWEEN TWO LIONS will go to press with the record in late spring/early summer of 2006. Press plans for
Put This City On My Shoulders include regional and national press, radio, and Internet promotion with limited touring to follow.
Download the Between Two Lions Electronic Press Kit (EPK) from Sonicbids.
