MORE REVIEWS COMING FROM STARS OF TRACK AND FIELD!!!!
Posted 2005-12-26
Another great reviews from SaToF on http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com, Check it out!
To paraphrase a famous song we all love, you float till you learn to swim. Produced by Tony Lash (Elliott Smith, Dandy Warhols) and Jeff Salzmann (Malkmus, Sunset Valley), Portland, Oregon's Stars Of Track And Field's debut is a five-song deep sea dive.
You Came Here For Sunset Last Year showcases Kevin Calaba's suave, stylishly anomalistic vocals, full of sweetness and perfectly paced to the melancholy minimalism of Daniel Orvik's beats, dancing between the flickering sheets of Jason Bell's lavish guitar. A dollop of sampling, a dribbling of piano here and there, helps to build atmosphere. Stars Of Track And Field's decision to trim down from a four-piece indie rock band to a more experimental yet sheer pop trio seems to have been exactly the right decision. The diversity of acts they've supported live, including The Long Winters, Village Green, Harvey Danger, and Carissa's Wierd — all quality bands but equally uncategorizable — show that they too are distinctive and can't be pigeonholed.
Despite being catchy and demanding repeated listens, the songs seem to be primarily concerned with the awkward persistence of maligned memory. While a sense of dystopian overflow reminds one of how Chris Ott described Joy Division as "the end of pop," it never gets too dark. Third track and EP title touch-base "Arithmatik" is the centerpiece of the disc, referencing a lover's favorite film ("flickering"); it's utterly hypnotizing with its big six string chorus swell and "No, Yes, No, Yes" refrain. "What did they say about you? I can't really recall." If Calaba wasn't so convincing a singer, so in character and confident, this would all come off as empty or "trying to look cool," as the next track, "Let Ken Green" says. Instead, the effect is haunting, while still being accessible.
Comparisons have been made to Coldplay, and the mood might be similar. But a leaner, meaner version of Peter Gabriel's fluid creativity and rhythmic singing comes more to mind midway through grand guitar gusts like "Say Hello" and "Foreign Snow." While their songs in the future could probably use a bit more diversity in tone and tempo, the emotional precision and sweep of tracks like opener "With You" just makes one anxious for more of anything the band have to offer.
STARS OF TRACK AND FIELD
Posted 2005-12-21
We are so excited about our recent signing Stars of Track and Field! They are going to tour tour tour in 2006 and you will know what we're talking about when you see them live! Read on to see what they have to say about us....
After much deliberation, cocktails and nice dinners on other people's tabs,
Stars of Track and Field is pleased to announce the signing of a recording
contract with Los Angeles based Sidecho Records. President James Cho, a
former partner at indie label stalwart The Militia Group, also worked as an
associate at Vagrant Records and Sony Entertainment before starting Sidecho
Records. You can check out the label at www.sidecho.com
SoTaF's debut record on Sidecho, untitled at this point, is already under
production with Producer Tony Lash, who produced the bands debut e/p "You
came here for sunset last year" and has a street release date of May 10th.
This full length recording will be distributed in North America by Koch
Distribution, the nation's biggest independent distribution retailer. Stay
tuned for pre-order availablity...
Stars of Track and Field have been nominated for album of the year, in a
poll conducted by super music web site threeimaginarygirls.com. Rumor has it
that SoTaF is among the top five vote getters thus far and voting ends
December 25th! To cast a ballot for SoTaF's "You came here for sunset last
year" e/p, please click on the link provided and vote away!
www.threeimaginarygirls.com
Upcoming Portland and Seattle performance details to follow soon, including
Stars of Track and Field's 2nd annual winter ball January 14th at the Doug
Fir Lounge!
thanks so much, see you soon!
Stars of Track and Field
VOTE FOR STARS OF TRACK AND FIELD
Posted 2005-12-20
Stars of Track and Field are in the running for the Reader's Choice Award for Best Northwest Release of 2005 at threeimaginarygirls.com. WE certainly think they should win and we hope you agree. There are only 5 days left until the votes are counted so go right now and vote!
NEW TOKYO ROSE PICS FROM "SPECTACLE" VIDEO SHOOT!!
Posted 2005-12-15
Check out the MEDIA LAB to see brand new photos from the making of TOKYO ROSE' new video for "SPECTACLE"!!
More news on the video coming soon!!
NEW SIGNING
Posted 2005-12-14
Hey Guys,
We have officially signed Stars of Track and Field!!! They are a indie rock band out of Portland and have a sound that will play over and over in your head for days to come. Look for ecards, updates and feature tracks from the band in early 06!!!
NEW SOME BY SEA DATES POSTED!
Posted 2005-12-09
New dates in the new year!
Check out the TOUR SECTION to see if Some by Sea is coming to a town near you!
NEW SHERWOOD TOUR DATES!
Posted 2005-12-09
WIth Hello Goodbye!
In the Los Angeles area (Dec 26-28)
So check 'em out the the TOUR DATES section.
SHOW TONIGHT!
Posted 2005-12-06
Our friends Inaway are playing tonight with Echo and the Bunnymen at the House of Blues in Hollywood. Please come down and show your support if you are in the area.
