:: THEMES 05-13-2010 By: Hans Halgren ::
THEMES creates a lush sound scape of proto-folk rock, mixing thick Baritone guitars, heavy piano driven arrangements, and fiercely pensive rhythms, while male and female vocals intertwine, weaving colorful blankets of stories filled with an ageless haunting insight.
Drawing comparisons to such greats as Nick Cave, M. Gira, Joni Mitchell, Grace Slick and Neil Young. McIntosh and Crawford Create such intensely vivid and emotive music that one might feel they are listening to a film score. When the music ends, one is left wanting to know more about the mysterious people who make THEMES music.
THEMES began Santa Rosa, CA, in the winter of 2006, as the collaboration between Jacy McIntosh (ex-end transmission, askeleton, ela) and Kelsey Crawford (ex Vox Vermillion).
The two have been known to spend more time on tour, than in their own “hometown”. Relocating from Minneapolis, MN to Portland OR, while on tour with long time friends Minus The Bear in the fall of 2008, THEMES hit Portland stages to support a limited edition 7” entitled THE SOLIDER TRADE, featuring their old Minneapolis friends, Producer Booka B, and Rap Wordsmith, P.O.S.
Sharing Portland stages with tour compatriots Carcrashlander, Portugal The Man and We’re From JAPAN, the band definitively pronounced their arrival.
“ Some of our best friends never stop moving, why would we? We’ve moved to a new city every couple years since we started working together, the motion is becoming part of who we are, a part of the music.”
-J. McIntosh
Although the two are known as eloquent song writers, Crawford, and McIntosh, who birthed ever changing sonic mood scape of THEMES in Santa Rosa, CA in 2006, have become even more well know as Great Collaborators, for the musical company they keep, with an ever changing accompanying lineup multi instrumentalists.
Being touring music veterans for over a decade prior with a number of reputable projects, Crawford and McIntosh have carved out a permanent fixture in the ever evolving Indie music world, having shared prior stages with friends bands ranging from Atmosphere, Fleet Foxes, The Velvet Teen, to Blitzen Trapper, and even BLACK FLAG as part of a benefit for the West Memphis Three.
“This band started as an experiment, we wanted to play in a band with all of our friends, all the time…”
-J. McIntosh
“I can explore a darker side of my personality and not have to be afraid of it, and I can stand up for it. That’s definitely a strong thing.”-K.Crawford
After just finishing a two month US tour as a two piece, THEMES will be taking a break from recording their latest full length, with Carcrashlander’s Corey Gray, at the helm as producer. The album will most likely feature yet another cast of ever evolving multi instrumental characters of great merit.
THEMES Has Enjoyed Previous Musical Contributions From: J. Clark, Cory Gray, Brian Wright, Simon Matt Carillo, Cliff Hayes, Dio Mcleod, Ryan Fall, William Caperton, Joe Johnson, Andy Lageson, Aaron Zee, Adam Consatable, Andrew Allen, Steph Alexander, Adam Booker, Bryce Richardson, Justin Burckhard, Hannah Murray, Joshua Syx, Knol Tate, Noah Paster, Bruce Wuollett,
