Dan Grissom - vocals, guitar, banjo Adam Rader - guitar, banjo, toys, backing vocals Stephen Orsak - electric guitar Stephen Smith - trombone, fender rhodes, piano Lindsey Verrill - upright bass, tuba, backing vocals Cole Roulain - drums, percussion
friends on some of our recordings
Gabe Lit - clarinet, bass clarinet David Moss - cello Nick Litterski - piano Amanda Kitchens - accordian, backing vocals Katie Rogers - violin
Influences
Field Recordings of any kind, Moondog, Mississippi John Hurt, The Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Skip James, Scott Joplin, "Big" Tiny Little, Pete Fountain, Josephine Baker, Hank Williams, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, The Dillards, Django Reinhardt, The Beatles, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Don Mclean, Jeff Buckley, Nick Cave, Ani Difranco, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Neutral Milk Hotel, Bonnie Prince Billy (or any Will Oldham project), Radiohead, Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, M. Ward, Wilco, Phosphorescent, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird, Jollie Holland, Yann Tiersen, Paul Cantelon, Jenny Lewis, The Decemberists, Mugison, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kings of Convenience, Rufus Wainwright, Fleet Foxes, Dirty Projectors, James Yorkston, Califone, and anything put out by Dust-to-Digital Records (seriously, check that shit out)
NEW ALBUM OUT NOW! BUY IT AT SHOWS, AT WATERLOO RECORDS, OR AT END OF AN EAR RECORDS. Here are some things that have been said about them and their new album.
"Some Say Leland has a gem with their latest full-length, Fifty Miles Into the Main. They’ve assembled a collection of simple, lovely melodies housing tales that strike up a sort of melancholy, a sense of longing that pulls the heart strings mighty hard. But there’s no sentimentality here. These are solid, gorgeous songs, American roots music at its best." - Laurie Gallardo - Austin Music Minute - KUT
"Some Say Leland’s sophomore album surprises with its subtlety, full of gorgeous tunes and wistful narratives that flow with an easy but unsettled beauty." - Doug Freeman - AustinSound.net
"I think myspace is broken, it sounds like two songs are playing at once." - Dan's Mom
"Sad and Sublime Folk" - The Austin Chronicle
"Some Say Leland is one of the most appealing and satisfying live acoustic ensemble performances happening in Austin. In terms of song craft and musicianship, Some Say Leland offer truly top-notch artistry...what we have is simply a beautiful example of original contemporary American music. Many talented artists try sincerely, but fall honorably short of that mark." - Church of the Friendly Ghost
"The hand-numbered sophomore album from local neo-traditionalists Some Say Leland captures a rare combination of devils and dust...Leader Dan Grissom is an impressive vocalist and songwriter that recalls Bowl of Fire-era Andrew Bird." - Austin Powell - The Austin Chronicle
"Reminiscent of dusty field recordings and the kind of primordial folk heard on The Anthology Of American Folk Music, Some Say Leland is earnestly committed to its version of American roots music, singing lyrical tales of wandering troubadours and weepy odes to hunchbacks over a dry creek bed of banjos, accordion, and brass. While it's tempting to relate them to early 20th-century revivalists like Squirrel Nut Zippers, Some Say Leland's antediluvian bent is far from a gimmick: Its palpable affection for the cleansing power of folk should delight fans of fellow modern-day traditionalists like Will Oldham or Andrew Bird." - The Onion
"Some Say Leland began with a mournful, almost sinister blues about flooding in New Orleans. Singer-guitarist Dan Grissom's plain, conversational baritone has a modern quality that contrasted strikingly with stand-up bassist Lindsey Verrill's piquant, old-timey soprano and folk-jazz instrumentation that also included accordion, trombone, drums and violin or cello. All their songs have an otherworldly bent, but a new waltz about a nightmare starring the devil was particularly eerie." - Parry Gettelman - The Austin-American Statesman
They also recorded another album a few years ago with a much simpler setup of guitar, dobro, mandolin and harmony vocals. Here are some nice things that have been written about their first album.
"their wry, almost reserved approach to storytelling lends an captivatingly personal touch to their music." - Kendal Rogers - The Buzz
"Taking vocal and lyrical cues from artists as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Will Oldham, Grissom and his bandmates have created a fine neo-folk recording that resonates well with simple, tuneful songwriting and instrumental interplay..." - Chris Edwards - The Pine Log
If you like what you hear on the website, you can buy the first album at: www.cdbaby.com/somesayleland Or you can download the album through iTunes.
Also, feel free to leave comments and let us know what you think. Thanks.
Thank you for accepting our friend request!! Really appreciate it. Wish you an awesome tuesday! Very best regards from Merlin’s Company! “Beware of the armadilloes whose dark shadows sweeps the streets”
CHURCH of the FRIENDLY GHOST - requests your presence - At our first ever fundraiser: TENT REVIVAL @ The Compound ! 1300 E. 4th St. SATURDAY, Sept 19, 5pm Games. Raffle Prizes. MUSIC. Fun! hope to see you there. <3
Hello. My Name Is Alyosha Het. I Think You're Fantastic & Would Like To Shake Your Intangible Hand. I Think The Intangible Quasi-Hug Would Be A Bit Forward Of Me At This Juncture.
Van Sanchez and The Hearts & The Minds finally meet and are playing at Tantra Coffee House August 7th 9pm in San Marcos Tx. Cover is 3 dollars and a huge variety of beer and wine as well as coffee house goodies food and drink . We'll see you there.
nice. let me know what dates you are once again available to play?
also, Erik mastered those songs you have. they sound so much more bad ass. we're going to pull together the art work in the coming weeks and will finally have merch to sell.
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