JEDD KETTLER: singing,guitar,bass,keys,horsehead fiddle and drums JOSHUA GIVENS: singing,guitar,bass,keys,trumpet,harmonica and drums BEN MADDOX: singing,guitar,bass,keys, drums
Influences
check out more stuff at www.myspace.com/thehousehorse
Sounds Like
FARM, GRAY BIRDS
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(Self-released, CD)
St. Albans will probably never be known as a fount of quality indie-rock, but local boys Farm are making music as though that were indeed the case. I gave their debut CD (released under the short-lived moniker House Horse) a pretty positive review a year or two ago, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating its follow-up, Gray Birds. I’m pleased to say it doesn’t disappoint.
To call Farm indie-rock is a bit like saying Led Zeppelin is just a cock-rock band. While the two acts don’t exactly sound alike, both showcase a wide range of influences. In Zep’s case, it’s American blues, British Isles folk and the Devil. Actually, the same could be said of Farm, if you substitute acoustic Tolkien-isms for Appalachian anguish. But guitarist Ben Maddox does rip like Jimmy Page from time to time.
Gray Birds boasts a whopping 18 tracks, which makes it tough to sum up in this wee space. Let’s start with the basics: Each member of the band is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. This kind of situation can engender creativity, but sometimes affects a band’s cohesiveness. That’s not the case here. Members Maddox, Jedd Kettler and Joshua Givens share a similar musical outlook, which results in some spooky-ass Americana that’s unpretentiously rural yet musically sophisticated. Read on for the highlights.
Kettler’s sooty ditty “Boomtown Basement” plays like a Stones number from that band’s country-blues period. Maddox’s Mellotron strings create a lovely sonic pillow for Kettler’s gruffly melodic vocals. Note to geeks: These keys are likely a synth emulation of the cumbersome, tape-operated instrument popularized by The Beatles and King Crimson. Real Mellotrons cost more than some houses, and they weigh nearly as much.
I also quite like Givens’ “Spineless,” which opens with dark, odd-metered chords and eerie slide guitar. The drums are slightly trashy, which gives the tune a ragged majesty. Maddox’s guitar solo is patient and modally adventurous, with weird ghost bends and trills.
“Something I Drew” is a twisted little blues tune with gurgling synth tones and laconic vocals, while “Devil” (see, I told you he’d make an appearance) is a black-as-pitch ode to a soul in the grips of evil that literally gave me goosebumps.
As did quite a few of the other tunes, including the molasses-thick “Old City” and the spacey, Eastern-flavored jam “St. Albans Blues.” The latter track alone is well worth the price of the disc.
Farm are a unique band with one foot in roughshod rock ’n’ roll and the other in experimental folk-blues. The third foot, if they had one, would surely be in the grave.
CASEY REA
SEVEN DAYS REVIEW (we used to be called House Horse)
St. Albans-based trio House Horse are an organic, post-folk delight. Featuring the multi-instrumental and vocal talents of Joshua Givens, Jedd Kettler and Ben Maddox, this debut EP boasts a gorgeous, indie-goes-rustic sensibility. It's a rare release that hooks me on the first track. This one did.
Gently strummed acoustic guitar and muted electric piano announce the opening of "Glass of Wine." In an odd production choice, the tune features lightly distorted vocals. The effect only enhances the track's sinister beauty, however. With a buoyant bass line and cavernous percussion, the song provides a lush, if unsettling, ride through folk rock's darker avenues.
"Work Boots" floats from the speakers in delicate tonal tendrils. Pedal steel guitar intersects with workmanlike drumming and spare electric guitar. Warm, clear vocals sing of skeletons and the summer sun in an intoxicating mix of the everyday and the idyllic.
"Drunks need bars like mechanics need cars and romantics need stars," states the alt-country shuffle "Jesus Song No. 1." Nifty line, but what makes the song really interesting is an atonal organ lurking in the periphery like a madman. This juxtaposition of traditional song structure and avant-garde elements separate House Horse from other neo-Americana acts.
"Yonder Comes a Sucker" boasts an evocative electric guitar figure and hypnotic backing vocals. The tune is a testament to restraint; the empty spaces seem as important as the notes themselves. Although most of the song is subdued, the coda features a cyclical bass and guitar motif loaded with intricate trills. The part is all the more powerful because you don't expect it.
Closer "Paul Klee" sounds like something David Lowery might have written in his Camper van Beethoven days. The tune tells the tale of an aspiring bohemian who falls short of his artistic goals. I'm not sure what it has to do with the legendary expressionist painter, but with music this enticing, who cares?
House Horse win big with their patient interplay and smart arrangements. I'd love to hear them on a double bill with Burlington's ethereal rockers Swale. Who wants to set it up?
CASEY REA
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.. Farm was formed in St. Albans, Vermont in January of 2005, when Jedd Kettler and Ben Maddox met and played music. They soon realized they could use some extra hands - and a mind - and invited Joshua Givens.
Kettler had played in a number of original Burlington rock bands of yesteryear, such as Eef. Maddox had recently left Mississippi after playing with an instrumental band called Cookout as well as playing keyboards for Afroman and playing on various trip-hop, rock, and funk albums. Givens is a local painter who had independently released several solo albums. The three began writing songs and playing them. They recorded a five song demo in the back of the record store where they practice and began playing shows of all original material in the New England area. The members of Farm constantly switch instruments so there is no permanent player of anything. If you don't like the way something sounds don't worry it will all change by the next song. They play a wide variety of instruments including, synthesizer, organ, wurlitzer electric piano, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, trumpet, harmonica, horsehead fiddle, and a somewhat strange looking drum kit. Their album "gray birds" was released in 2007 and is available by clicking the digstation link above. Their new album "the cave" is available by clicking on the itunes link below. I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
.. Halogen Records, Turn it up Promotions, and Sound Syndicate Present: PHILADELPHIA SLICK DJ GI JOE The Problemaddicts DJ DB Cooper & Malbourne the MC Natural Ingredients
Also featuring the Vermont & Regional MC & DJ Showcase with MCs & DJs from VT, NH, MA, ME, NY & Montreal. Listen to up and coming MC's & DJ's that will be breaking in Vermont.
Higher Ground Showcase Lounge South Burlington, VT Friday, January 15th doors 8:00 show 8:30 ALL AGES
*if you are interested in being considered to showcase, please see our SONIC BIDS sign up form HERE --------------------------------------- COMING UP: NOVEMBER 28th @ THE RUSTY NAIL IN STOWE, VT MIDNITE 9PM // 21+
Hi farm! 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!
Friday, June 12, 2009 at 10:00pm The Black Door Bar and Bistro 44 Main Street 3rd Floor Montpelier, VT --------------------------------------------
FRIDAY JUNE 12TH
Nectar's and Halogen Records present: Live Hip Hop Showcase featuring: Lifted 12am (NYC) Philadelphia Slick 11pm (PHL) Squash the Beef 10pm (BTV) www.liveatnectars.com ---------------------------------------------
SATURDAY JUNE 13TH
THE DIXIE RED DELIGHTS - TOUR KICK OFF The Black Door 44 Main Street Montpelier, VT
www.myspace.com/thedixiereddelights Our final show in Montpelier before hitting the road for a series of dates in the east.. we're ready to bring our Mostpeculiar sounds to the South.
We'll have some new originals, new covers, some ham in the basement, and a good time!! Order one of Jay's amazing Dixie Red Hot drinks too.. It's been awhile since we played our hometown, so put on your dancing shoes and come rock out!
Hey farm! Just want to stop by to say thanks for being friends! Keep me in mind if you need any mastering done. All of the info is on my page and feel free to email me anytime. Only $25 per song and $100 for an EP, mix-tape, or full CD! Thanks!! Jim Wavelength MD
Thanks for the add, Farm. Now, shouldn't the Dondero be in your member list? I saw him in your band at the Monkey House. He got real sweaty that night. It was Farm sweat.
kick ass, your music makes me want to eat the skin off of someone's face, and then puke it up and wear it as my own face, so keep rocking;] Hope to roll with you on some concerts!
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