Forming originally in 2003, The Ginger Envelope was comprised of long-time friends Patrick Carey and Matt Stoessel. In due time, their synergy developed and grew as fellow musicians Jason Robira (percussion), Jason Trahan (guitar), and Steve Miller (bass), joined the pair. The added trio came from the Lafayette, LA based art-rock group Urbosleeks, which relocated to Athens in 2000 on the wings of a ten year creative run. With a new lineup in tow, Carey led the band into newer material, wound together with Stoessel's phrasing on the pedal steel; (Stoessel has also appeared with Cento-matic, South San Gabriel, Summer Hymns, and Don Chambers and Goat).
In 2005, the band entered Asa Leffer's DARC Studios in Athens, GA to record their debut full-length record, later mastered by Glen Schick in Atlanta and subsequently given the title Edible Orchids. The album was met with warm acclaim from both national and over-seas press and became a favorite on many playlists with songs being spot-lit on NPR, Spin magazine, and Pitchfork.
With a second batch of songs written and ready to record in the winter of 2007, the band decided that they would build their own makeshift studio in the basement of friend Patrick Bozeman’s house in Athens, GA and produce the effort themselves. Over three long winter nights, the band holed-up in a cozy basement and recorded what would be the bulk of their second album, titled Invitation Air. Recorded to sixteen-track analog tape in a rather quaint and intimate setting, Invitation Air is a warm and expansive collection of strong sentiments, dusty imagery and subtle intricacies, with guest appearances from friends Page Campbell (Hope for a Golden Summer), world acclaimed fiddle player David Blackmon, and others that lend their talents and camaraderie to this lovely second collection of songs.
The Year 2008 presented the band with bright new beginnings and endings as The Ginger Envelope said a warm goodbye to drummer Jason Robira. Shortly thereafter came the welcome addition of Colin Carey on drums and Paul McHugh on keyboards, further expanding an already full-bodied repertoire of musical styling and ancestry and lending itself to such rich and folkloric musings hailing from the swells of the dirty south.
The Ginger Envelope currently resides in Athens, GA, where work on a third album is already underway and expected to be released fall of 2010.
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PRESS:
"On their debut album Edible Orchids, the Georgia based band hooks their solid songwriting and sweet choruses to mellow Americana. The CD begins with the upbeat, bass-heavy "Care Take Her." Patrick Carey's vocals sound raspy and a bit lethargic but entirely pleasant. Steve Miller's walking bass line keeps the track moving. His lyrics and the group's gloomy country twang imply a slight sense of despair on tracks like "Dirty Penny." - NPR Second Stage
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"Edible Orchids, the band’s full-length debut, is shrouded in a lush yet rootsy aesthetic, the kind that’s cozy and inviting. You want to wrap yourself up in it like a patchwork quilt on an unseasonably cold fall day." - Crawdaddy
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"“Failsafe” is an early gem; the twangy guitar and lazy vocals make it a rainy day favorite. While the lyrics and vocal melodies give it an early Wilco-esque sound, Edible Orchids as a whole finds itself between indie pop and a southwestern twang. The vocals are lightly raspy and sound like the lighter work of Matt Pryor [Get Up Kids], primarily via his solo work in The New Amsterdams. This can be heard in “Dirty Penny” and on lighter tracks such as “Drift”.
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“Kites” is another gem and finds Edible Orchids speeding things up with a bouncy melody before hitting one of the slower songs on the album, “Morning Let Me In”. “Silver” features banjo and a sweet melody that brings the pop sensibilities back home. “Night Sweeping” has a country-ish slide guitar and a hooky vocal melody in the verses closing Edible Orchids with an album topper. As the heavy rain falls outside, its easy to get lost in Edible Orchids—the album is perfect for such days. Now I just wish I was home with a warm blanket and a cup of hot mint tea." - Fense Post
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SPIN MAGAZINE'S 8 SONGS YOU NEED TO DOWNLAD NOW!
http://digital.spin.com/spin/200809/?pg=40
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ATHEFEST 2008:
I am most indescribeably sad and regretful that I had not found out sooner than an hour ago that ya'll were playing in Asheville tonight. If only I didn't have to work a busy 4th holiday early in the AM. . . Hope you have/had a great turnout and ashow without too many hitches. Miss you guys! And Madeline!
Sorry for the delaied response. The Blue Note and Mojo's in Columbia, Mo. are great places. I'm partial to the Blue Note. Great energy! Blueberry Hill, Off Broadway, or the Bilikin Club in St. Louis to name a few. Think about it..Later
A grass roots effort, put on by local musicians, for women and children's shelters in our North Ga. area. Much needed this year! Only $10 per day. Come back next day and bring wrist band for discount at the door. GREAT Prizes donated by local business' for the $1 raffles. Check out our page to see all the great artists playing.
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ATHEFEST 2008:
