“We’ve all felt it. That fleeting moment so fiercely alive, yet unexplainably surreal. That defining instant of clarity, powerful enough to suspend time. That crushing awareness…rendering us motionless and quiet.
It is in these moments that we are perpetually inspired.” - Anonymous
The music of Portland’s enigmatic alt/rock group, Brightwood, boasts as a product of this kind of inspiration. Their 2006 EP titled The Love Antidote, explores the risks of falling in love and the dichotomy that ensues. Featuring songs that swim with youthful euphoria coupled with those that deal with the enormous pain of heartbreak, The Love Antidote struck a chord with thousands of music lovers around the world.
Even before its release, Brightwood’s self-produced EP had begun generating a buzz on a national scale. Inevitably, a multi-state tour followed in support of the record, drawing hundreds of fans from across the western US as well as aiding in the band’s already explosive online presence. “The overwhelmingly positive response to our music last year, both from fans and industry people was unexpected and truly encouraging,” replied frontman Andrew Brittell when asked in a 2007 interview about the attention Brightwood was receiving. “What started as a meager DIY attempt to record a demo EP became what we consider to be a genuine phenomenon.”
Among many accomplishments in 2006 Brightwood was chosen out of eleven thousand bands for a spot on Ernie Ball’s Battle of the Bands 10 Compilation CD, which also landed them a spot on the nationally renowned Warped Tour. They were featured on several popular music webzines including Absolute Punk, The Daily Chorus, and Driven Far Off. Sharing the stage with reputable acts such as Mute Math, Waking Ashland, and Goodbye Tomorrow, Brightwood was well on their way to becoming a household name.
Within a year of The Love Antidote's release, Brightwood had sold approximately two thousand hard copies of the EP, and ten thousand digital downloads from Itunes. They had reached over a million plays on myspace and had maintained the 1 position for unsigned bands in Oregon, as well as a position in myspace’s top 100 bands.
Despite several label opportunities, Brightwood has decided to release their next album on their own. “At this point, we’re just trying to make music that inspires us. I think part of the reason we’ve been so passive when it comes to label attention is because we’re still trying to figure out what we want…both in music, and in life,” says Brittell. “Our biggest fear I guess is that we would be pigeon-holed into making a specific kind of music, and we feel that we have some growing to do before we’re comfortable unveiling ourselves to the world so-to-speak…but I think we’re getting close.”
This mentality is what has impelled Brightwood to take a do-it-yourself style approach with their music. Utilizing their own studio, which has allegedly been upgraded since The Love Antidote, the band is currently finishing up their debut LP, Wake. To be released in July of 2008, Brightwood’s first full-length record will be eagerly received by their devoted fans, and will undoubtedly be a profound reflection of this foursome’s hard work and unyielding passion.
So far the future for this young band appears to be limitless. Having proven that they can independently and successfully create music with the innate ability to move people, Brightwood is quickly becoming a veritable sensation.
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I just want to say thank you for making such beautiful music. Listening to it always inspires me. Keep doing what you do and I hope to see you guys live someday :]
so so so close. they say brush fires spread fast, just wait until people get their hands on this new album. it will make a brush fire look like a match.
You guys are so amazing, the music is.....well you have no idea what it has done for me, it has helped me through some of the worst times i've had, your music explains the realistic feelings people have at the perfect and most unperfect moments of their lives. I feel like you know exactly what people feel and......anyways you guys have such handsome music....thank you guys, I can't wait for WAKE.
From what I can hear the new CD sounds amazing. make sure to save me a copy when I get there! haha. Howsw life down in oregon treating all of you? Anything exciting going on in your guys lives?
Wow, thinking way too much about things and the first song I listen to is the Swan Song. "So irresolute in my mind" fits perfectly with me at the moment. Weird moments, but your music has officially had an emotional effect on me. Congrats.
Dudes, I just read the lyrics to sway song for the first time... I am in love with what you guys are doing with this album. I am so excited for this. I'm gunna be out on tour during the CD release party :( so you guys have a good time. You better have a way for me to pick up a copy when I get back!!
Call+Response is the rockumentary project I have been interning for for the past few weeks.. It would really cool if you could join this cause on myspace- http://www.causes.com/myspace/causes/93610?e=f8e43&recruiter_id=11031232
There are 27 million people enslaved in the world today, that's more than all four hundred years of the The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The movie is about the fight to stop it, using tools we already have. I know everybody's busy, but there are 27 million people out there hoping somebody will take the time to care. We ARE our bothers keeper.
At least we should be.
The solution to every problem begins with a single, defiant voice. Your voice. -Quote from C+R website
"Justice is what love looks like in public" -Cornel West
Your music is beautifully unique. It stands apart from other music because I do not just hear it, I can feel it. That my friends, is a spiritual quality. I can't wait to see you guys on the 19th!
Hey thank's for the add. I'm Sophie and I'm 22 and I live in Tennessee. I really like your music. Your song's are great. I love listening to them. Best of luck with everything. later
