Listening to Greylag's debut EP, The Only Way To Kill You, one can almost hear the relief pouring out of Andrew Stonestreet and Daniel Dixon's gentle, lilting harmonies and spare, acoustic guitar murmurs. Although new on paper, the Portland, Oregon-based band is the product of a multi-year, cross-country journey of friendship, emotional trial and self-refinement that while finally complete, is really only just beginning.
Both talented musicians in their own right-- Stonestreet grew up in a highly musical family and began performing at age 11; Dixon attended the esteemed San Francisco Conservatory of Music and plays a gaggle of instruments—Andrew and Daniel entered each other's musical wavelengths in 2007 through a mutual acquaintance. Stonestreet was living in his native West Virginia and Dixon had taken up shop in Louisville, Kentucky. Neither however, were content in their surroundings. "I felt pretty displaced," Dixon, a native of northern California says of Louisville. "I felt like I didn't have a home anywhere." Adds Stonestreet, who had recently left Nashville feeling quite disenchanted, "I had entered into a kind of dark state." When they started playing music together, the two immediately were attracted to each other's sensibilities, and their friendship quickly followed suit. But it wasn't until they both permanently made the move to Portland-- Dixon arrived in May 2009 and Stonestreet would come approximately nine months later-- that their musical partnership went beyond "jamming" and evolved into a full-fledged creative endeavor. "That was the first time we got the sense of, 'it's on,'" Dixon says.
In the past year, Greylag has worked at developing their home base in the Pacific Northwest, reaching sell-out status in their home town of Portland along with recent tours through the Western US and Canada. This last fall, Greylag was part of the Gomez and Kopecky Family Band tour and will be touring with Augustana this Spring in between their first appearances at SXSW and Sasquatch festivals.
Greylag's Debut EP, The Only Way To Kill You, is set for release on May 1st, 2012.
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Band Members:
- Andrew Stonestreet - Guitar, Vocals
- Daniel Dixon - Guitar, Vocals
Quotes:
The track "Black Crow" is every bit of folk, from their earthy harmonies to the acoustic/percussion compatibility, but the sentiments it offers is all American rock. Erica Matlin, Jonk Music, May 10, 2012
"A strummy, liberating acoustic-driven Americana road trip. Much like their contemporaries, Okkervil River and Two Gallants, Greylag conducts from the Americana folk-roots platform. Yet unlike the artists mentioned above, Greylag is minimalist, principally woven to refined acoustic guitar and voice structures.” Christopher Petro, Performer Magazine, May 7, 2012
"There’s more to The Only Way To Kill You than folk guitars and harmonies. Each song is incredibly intimate, lending itself to a theme of self discovery and refinement." - The Muse in Music, May 1, 2012
When not trying too hard or showing too much, like a lot of bands, Greylag are at their best, ‘Winter White’ the closer is a delicate and tender song, it has no pretention to be anything else. Greylag have potential especially if they can step back from the eagerness to show what they can do.” ~ Americana UK
"Andrew Stonestreet gets emotional with his lyrics, but seems to avoid explicit storytelling in favor of “everyman” themes, most notably the struggle for self-betterment." Portland Monthy - May 5, 2012 - Anne Adams
Boasting the same sort of haunting vocals of a Bon Iver or an Iron and Wine, the perfectly in sync band also brings something different to the table: great
musicianship. Each song in the doleful set was given an almost cinematic beauty and scope thanks to Dixon’s superb guitar playing and Stonestreet’s elegant and poetic lyrics. In some ways, the sound was reminiscent of Kings of Leon , only with the Southern swagger replaced by the
rain-drenched melancholy of an afternoon in the forests of the North West. - Laura Wasson,Feastofmusic.com 4/19/2012
These seven tracks alternate between wispy acoustics and dreamy melodies, grassroots jam sessions and sweet southern rock. It's folk music peppered with personality and passion, insight and flair, and it's sure to bury its way into your heart. -Purevolume.com 5/1/2012
Once you take the time to really absorb the message behind the lyrics, you’ll notice that Greylag is open, honest, and has a streak that can run dark at some times. This type of openness is what makes this album so relatable and so great. -Owlmag.com, 5/1/2012
High, lonesome vocals combine with acoustic strumming and a stomping rhythm, taking as much from British folk as it does from American indie rock. -Thepitch.com, 5/1/2012
The Album translates as mellow and reflective, but contains a hopeful, healthy american
folk character. --Theindiejam.com, April
“‘Black Crow’ by Greylag is a song made for the coming spring, its beautiful moments giving way to sweeping uneasiness much the same way those gorgeous spring mornings so often turn into afternoon thunderstorms. It bursts and blooms throughout, remaining an engaging listen for the duration despite never settling into any one rhythm for more than a few bars." - Fearless Radio - Mar. 2012
“Within minutes of hearing Portland-based Greylag, it's clear that it won't be long until the group drums up some serious attention.”
– Portland Mercury – Apr. 2011
“(Greylag) makes music that wisely avoids any
attempt to replicate traditional folk tropes, instead focusing efforts on
creating a warm ambience of airy harmonies, gentle guitars and distantly
chugging drums.” - Weekly Volcano
- Jan. 2011 by Adam McKinney
"Fresh, mature and thoughtful, (Greylag)offers a beautiful, stripped back sound"
- Folk Radio UK – July 2011
“Greylag's sound hinges on the pair’s meditative, hymn-like vocal harmonies, complimented by folksy, bluesy runs on the acoustic guitar.”
-MP3.com 2/13/12
Contact Info:
Online Publicity:
Nicole Poulos
Sideways Media
West Hollywood, CA
(o) (323) 315-0393
(c) (310) 908-3812
nicole@sideways-media.com
Online Marketing:
Mike Chouinard
Ninth Street Opus
Berkeley, CA
(c) (707) 227-9650
Mike@ninthstreetopus.com
Management:
Creighton Burke
The Farm
Los Angeles, CA
(o) (323) 769-4393
(c) (415) 497-8726
Booking:
Larry Webman
Paradigm Talent Agency
(o) (212) 897-6400
lwebman@paradigmagency.com
Label:
Sara Mertz
Ninth Street Opus
Berkeley, CA
(c) (510) 701-0219
Sara@ninthstreetopus.com
Kate Jackson and Meghan Helsel
Grandstand Media & Management
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