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Formed in 2002 by guitarist Jim Noland, Medium Underground offers an alternative to what many consider to be an arid modern music landscape. The songs reach out from that inner place where many of us feel there is mystery and great possibilities in life. The music has a dark quality that reflects the heavy forces at work in the world but also a message that inspires hope. These songs come out of a sincere desire to offer something a little deeper than what is usually heard in contemporary music. notes singer and lyricist Jim Noland. This music doesnt dwell on the ordinary; it exists to feed the soul.

Many of the songs began to take form just after September 11th 2001, in a time when the very foundation of western life was shaken. In that time I felt as though there was an opening for something that spoke to more than booty calls, broken hearts, and rage. explains Noland. I turned my attention to writing and drawing on my love of the mysteries in life, the Pyramids, Stonehenge, ancient civilizations and the myths that surround them. Many people suspect that there is some deeper purpose and meaning to life. Many of us have had experiences that fall into the paranormal or we find ourselves looking at the Pyramids and thinking this means something. Its those places and moments that inspires this music.

As the songs took shape Jim reached out to a few friends to complement the instrumentation. Jon Perry and Jim have been writing and playing together since they were in their teens, Frank Peaker played in other groups with musicians Jim and Jon have known for years. With Jon and Frank working out the rhythm section the songs began to develop a life of there own. Frank and Jon made these songs legitimate says Noland. They believed in the content of the songs and saw the potential for other people to really dig them. They put a lot of skill and detail into the foundation of the music, and it shows.

Medium Underground continued as a trio for nearly a year until they met up with Larry Wilson. There was definitely room for another element but it would have to be the right fit given the nature of the lyrics and the well structured rhythm section. Jon brought up the idea of asking Larry to join after seeing him play in a local club one night. The fit is perfect. Wilsons approach to the complex voicings of Nolands open tunings is magical, complementing and expanding the already rich sounds and rhythms.

In 2006 Rob Reid joined the Underground bringing another excellent drum and percussion talent to the group. This opens up a lot of possibilities for us Noland explained. Perry is not only a great drummer he is a great guitarist and keyboard player. Having Rob on board gives us plenty of muscle in the rhythm section and gives us an opportunity to expand the sound a bit more live.

The group made the investment and assembled a studio to give them free reign to record and produce at will. While other musicians such as Ray Ray from the Mayan Factor have recorded in the groups studio, it remains primarily a tool for the band to craft the songs that have become their unique trademark sound. I have a background in engineering and I enjoy working with other musicians in the studio and live, but recording with Medium has been my main focus. Says Noland. but I have to keep a healthy balance between the left brain technical role of being an engineer and the right brain creative part.

Songs like As I Am, Frontiers and Exiles speak to getting out from under the forces that hold us down and the indomitable quality of the human spirit, while Night In Babylon evokes that sense of ancient mystery. Where They Will is like a rhythmic romp through the Book of Revelations. Its not all heavy dark mysterious stuff though admits Noland. Tunes like Room for love and Light of the Muse are really feel good songs with a bit of tongue in cheek humor. Youve got to mix it up a little bit to keep it flowing