Since 2001, the Porchlights have released four studio albums featuring original material, two with their electric band, one with the String Band, and one duo CD.
** In anticipation of their upcoming fifth CD release, The Porchlights decided upon a classic venue - The Spirit Room in Jerome, Arizona as the prime place to showcase their musical talents. During a snowstorm on December 16, 2008, The Spirit Room and The Porchlights rocked and, yes, the show was recorded for future release. Blondies Stomp & Gila Hoedown are two of the tunes featured here from that snowy night of music.
The Porchlights have also been recording live original music at their mountainside home in Dolores, Colorado with a strong selection of new compositions and re-makes of some valued old favorites. Timing for the new CD is not set yet as it's still in the "tweaking" stages. This highly-anticipated musical collection should be available this spring, 2009. The Porchlights express their appreciation to their friends and fans for their continued support. They are The Voice and you are The Ears...both equally valued! They thank you for wanting to hear more of what they do the best. Pull up that old rockin' chair...The Porchlights are still on!**
Glenwood Springs Post Independent May 23, 2008
PORCHLIGHTS TO PLAY YAGATTA REGATTA by: Stina Sieg
GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Don’t they look like they’re having a good time?
The Porchlights sound like it, too. During a recent conversation, the acoustic duo (Bill Kneebone and Deb Hilton, a married couple) were at once upbeat and laid back, each taking a turn on the phone.
“I’m not sure what brought us together,” Hilton said, “but I’m sure glad it did.”
She recalled how they met, back in 1996. Hilton was 21 then and new at the guitar. She was trying her hand at the open mic scene in Flagstaff, Ariz. Those days, she was happy to play with anyone. That’s when Kneebone, a musician since the 70s, came on the scene. They started out at “jamming buddies”, she said, with him on the acoustic lead guitar and her on guitar and vocals. At first, they played their lively, bluegrass melodies on Hilton’s back porch, but eventually moved to coffee house gigs. As Hilton’s guitar skills grew, the Porchlights started taking their tunes to the road and putting out CDs. Eventually, their mix of original pieces and reworked classics could be heard all around the Four Corners area.
In short order, the duo was a real musical item – and a romantic one, as well. The tied the knot in 2000, and since then, haven’t let up their playing one bit.
“We just decided that we love it,” Hilton said. “And we’re going to keep doing it and keep riding the wave.”
A few months back, that meant a major upheaval for the two. After a relative of hers bought a home in Dolores, she and Kneebone were given the chance to move there. Hilton, then a full-time radio DJ, quit her job, and they started a brand new life in a town of about 900. Though she admitted to being a little nervous at first, she said that her world now is just “so much more fun.” These days, she’s hiking, hanging at the local brew pub and playing all over.
And then she answered the question all musical couples do. What’s it like to work with your spouse?
“It doesn’t feel like work,” she said, sounding totally earnest. “It feels more like connecting. And it’s great.”
When handed the phone, Kneebone agreed whole-heartedly. Though he doesn’t get to see it himself, he said that people are always commenting about the closeness the band shows on stage. The audience notices those smiles, the unspoken cues.
“We have some kind of chemistry and special intimacy,” he said, “and that’s apparent to the public.”
He didn’t really try to explain their work, saying that it was too hard to describe. Anyway, he’d rather hear someone else take a stab at it.
So, for the record, the few songs up on their website are actually difficult to put to words. They’re sassy and fast-paced, almost Appalachian in feel, yet also distinctively modern. Kneebone’s guitar stylings are quick and enviable, and Hilton’s vocals are crisp and clear and sweet,, with just a hint of twang. As Kneebone told it, it was that “special” quality of Hilton’s voice that really drew him to her.
In short, they sound like they fit together – in a way you just kind of have to hear for yourself.
“When we get up there (on stage), we actually draw on some outside energy and channel that into some high energy thing,” Kneebone said. “It’s sort of the only way we know how to do it.”
They take their music seriously, not themselves, he explained. And this isn’t about being famous or even having people like them. It’s about being connected to something bigger than themselves, something beyond the everyday world. It’s about communing with the audience and with each other, too. Life is a movie, he went on, and they’re the ones writing their own script.
“As we’re seeing it, we can either go work for a living or play for a living,” he said. “I’d rather go play for a living, if I had a choice.”
And he gave out a happy, hearty laugh.
There’s just no arguing with that.
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FLAG LIVE! Friday, Oct 31, 2008
The Porchlights at Oak Creek Brewing Co. by Ryan Heinsius
Whenever Deb Hilton and Billy Kneebone come back to good old northern Arizona, we always like to give them a shout-out. As local music veterans, the duo has played just about every spot in the region and lived in Flag for years establishing themselves as mainstays of the scene. Now, they’re still mainstays even though they live in southwest Colorado. Come out to Oak Creek on Halloween to celebrate with them as they run through their catalogue of blues, folk-rock, and bluegrass-inspired originals and choice covers.
FLAG LIVE! July 2008
The Porchlights at Altitudes Bar & Grill by Ryan Heinsius
Ah, Billy and Deb. For years this duo was a staple of the Flag music scene, and then last year they up and left for the wilds of southwestern Colorado. Who can blame them, I guess? It’s beautiful country up there. They certainly are missed. But, they have diligently returned regularly to play gigs around town, and this weekend they’ll be doing a three-day run at Altitudes, 2 S. Beaver. Friday and Saturday they’ll play from 8-11pm and on Sunday they’ll hit an afternoon set outside from 3-6pm. Be sure not to miss these former locals do their acoustic/folk/blues thing south of the tracks. If that’s not enough, they’re also playing at Heritage Square at 2pm on Saturday and at the new New Frontiers at the corner of Butler and Sawmill at noon on Sunday. Whew!
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The Porchlights are very honored to have opened the show for Little Feat, Cross Canadian Ragweed Gin Blossoms, Cracker, and Michelle Branch.
Thank You for supporting independent musicians!
May The Porch Be With You!
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