Most of Plaid Dragon’s inspiration came from time spent in the Pacific Northwest and Scandinavia. Inge spent years writing songs out of her bedroom from a young age. Her producer, Jonathan James, helped her form her five-piece band after a Facebook status Inge made stating she was starting a band. The band includes: Colin Turnbull on guitar, Jake Herren on bass, Brooks Burrell on drums, and Sam Gibson on synth and guitar.

At first listen, Dog Physics, gave particular impressions of Feist and Florence + the Machine because of the “Intimacy and pop” aspects as stated on the band’s Facebook page. The EP possesses whimsical and mystical elements into a dreamy brand of self-described “lullaby rock.” The title track, “Dog Physics”, really portrays the elements above and is a perfect introduction as to what listeners might hear on the full-length album out next year. Though the EP is not yet out, fans are able to listen to the EP on the Plaid Dragon’s SoundCloud page.

Plaid Dragon will be going out on tour starting on the 26^th to play shows throughout the region and preparing for a fall tour to promote their full-length album, It’s However You Want it to Be, due out spring 2014.

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A Hero’s Lie starts on a great note with “Everlasting” from the previous EP and goes into a song called “My Hands” which sounds like a tune you’d hear in a movie during a rainy sequence. It’s rather calming – a smooth way to start off the rest of the album. The track “My Way” portrays an innovative sound with its joyful instrumental in the middle, going back into guitar strums with honest lyrics and a steady, rhythmic voice. The kind of song one may listen to on the back porch of a cottage, wind in the air, with an iced tea in hand.

The Grey Reverend project has opened up eyes and ears to a new sound of musical talent, which leads to the next point. Though it has no lyrics, this is one of the most emotionally expressive pieces on the album. The passion and desire to be heard is blatantly clear while the title track, “A Hero’s Lie”, built around a powerful guitar melody it grows into a great representation of the album as a whole.

The song that stands out the most on the album, however, is “Belafonte”. This is the song that most explores the artist’s vocal range, creation of unique sounds, harmonies, and lyrics. This is the song that brings it all home.

L.D Brown has, once again, created a strong set of songs that show deeper meaning of life and living, from love to lust and to friendship and family.

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In a prelude to the upcoming full-length album, A Hero’s Lie, Grey Reverend gives a good introduction to his new music through the new EP, Everlasting. This EP starts out with the strong, ironically titled track, “Everlasting”. The titles of the three tracks that follow are “Lament”, “Nightingale”, and “When You’re A Rose”. Through listening intently to each of the songs, one is able to pick out the individuality and honest expression that lies within the EP, and further connect to the music, both melodically, and lyrically.

The music Everlasting offers portrays dichotomous characteristics: most of the music at first glance seems mournful, but upon closer inspection, the lyrics are rather optimistic. Even by looking at the titles of the tracks, you can sense how imaginative and active Brown’s mind is when it comes to his music.

Everlasting is a very mellow, deep EP and sounds like the stylings of a matured man overcoming past experience. Not to mention, this man is an exceptional lyricist and makes it all look sweet and simple. From the first note of the Everlasting EP, the first word and the last, this recording makes an avid listener of music excited for the next set of tunes to be released.

Release date: July 29, 2013

Purchase the EP on iTunes

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