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The Parson Red Heads

MusicBlog

Location: Los Angeles

Website: http://www.theparsonredheads.com/

Bio: Many bands are composed of individuals who are barely friends, sometimes they are barely acquaintances who treat each other and their music like little more ... (more) than a business. The Parson Red Heads are not one of those bands. The Los Angeles based group, originally from Oregon, are, by blood or by bond, a family.

The band consists of Evan Way, his sister Erin, wife Brette Marie and longtime friends Charlie Hester, David Swensen, and Sam Fowles. The group has recently been rounded out with the addition of Raymond Richards (pedal steel) and Aaron Ballard (guitar/melodica/etc). Heeding the call of sunshine and success, the group left Oregon in 2005 and has since been building more acclaim and attention in the burgeoning Silver Lake music scene with month long residencies at the Silver Lake Lounge and the Echo as well as sharing the stage with the Cold War Kids, Cursive, Maria Taylor and more.

A typical Parsons show is a celebration of their familial bond where the band can extend from the core six to as many as twelve. The rattling of multiple tambourines, masterfully used feedback and four part harmonies find the smuggest of indie hipsters removing their hands from their pockets and clapping them along with the white-clad clan as disinterested smirks turn into uncontrollable smiles.

Following up the stripped down California inspired folk of last summer's Field Mouse Carnival EP, King Giraffe is the first full length that begins to capture the spirit of the Parson's live show. The opening dissonance on "Sister" sets the tone for the rest of the album and its exploration of 60's flavored psychedelic folk rock. Evan Way 's voice is one of the most unique to come along in years, his Paul Simon like croon is often augmented by the rest of the group's Byrds-ian harmonies. Guitars are the main driving force behind King Giraffe, from the dueling leads breakdown on "Days of My Youth" to the feedback freak out finale of "Full Moon". Rounded out by tight drumming and irresistible bass and keyboard lines, pedal steel and banjo also appear and both are high-lighted on the toned down closer "Ball and Chain". Other stand out songs include the lead single "Punctual As Usual" and the infectiously bouncy "Mossback". King Giraffe promises to be a big step for the Parson Red Heads.
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