Evan Moran - Vocals, guitars, keyboards
Kyle Janke - Bass
Matt Schonert - Keyboards, organ
Jonathan Dunn - Drums, percussion
Influences
Radiohead, The White Stripes, Wolf Parade, The Black Keys, The Kinks, Of Montreal, Dungen, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo, Spoon, Sunset Rubdown
The Narrows is a psychedelic and indie rock/pop band formed in Hillsdale, Michigan in 2005. Developed out of blues and garage rock jams in dorm rooms and local open-mic-night venues, the group initially began performing with live sets consisting of the usual extended, messy, and intriguing improvised sets that came naturally in covers of everything from the MC5 to Jimi Hendrix to The White Stripes, The Velvet Underground, and Led Zeppelin. Within the three-piece of Hillsdale College sophomores, Kyle Janke’s bass playing would prove solid and unpretentious, and Jon Dunn’s drums seemed without restraint in their volume, aggression, and reactionary voice against Evan Moran’s vocal and instrumental leading direction.
By early 2006, the band was stretching toward nearby cities such as Quincy and Coldwater. They played mostly bars, clubs, and other venues that were conducive to their controlled massive sound that managed to be groovy, gritty, distorted, and even increasingly atmospheric as the band’s interaction with themselves and their audience grew more sophisticated. The band prided itself on intensity and it was evident in spades.
However, alongside developing a live act, songwriting quickly became important for then 19 year-old singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Moran, who sought to develop an intelligent voice and focus for the spontaneous energy that naturally occurred in the band’s performance. Making its premiere at the Hillsdale Battle of the Bands in November 2005 was “Mistress,” a song that relied as heavily on fuzz guitar as it did the tropes of traditional blues-influenced rock. Soon after came tracks such as “Trolley” and “The Pop Song” which both sought to channel a self-aware and ironic yet honest feeling of pop enthusiasm and charm. Beyond these, over the course of the next two years, a great deal of new original material would emerge, with well over a dozen songs including tracks such as “I Ought” which sought atmosphere and liquidity, and others like “Harpies” and “Two by Two” that looked for chaotic, frenetic plays on psychedelic music both vintage and modern. “Moonstrung Waltz” would then experiment with instrumentation, rhythm, and harmony while works such as “Bedside Regiments” and “Antique Heart” would act as simpler examples of more direct and emotive songwriting. Moran’s attempt to reconcile influences and admirations of groups ranging from Dead Meadow to Of Montreal to Yo La Tengo and Radiohead built a catalog of original works, some thoroughly modern in their embrace of brutal and chaotic noise, and some classic in their desire for simplified natural resonance and sentimentality, while all hoped for a visionary quality and original sensibility that was conscious of the traditions supporting the music and ideas.
In November 2007, the Narrows won the Hillsdale College Battle of the Bands III. In February 2008, they released their self-titled, seven-song EP, a collection of original songs recorded in bedrooms, basements, dorm rooms, and apartments and then produced and released independently by the band to the Hillsdale College community. The 22-minute album emits a solid sense of what the early years of the band have brought forth: energy, atmosphere, and a continuous motion toward catchy melodies, clever arrangements, and varied musical ideas throughout.
Craven here, thank you so very muchly for actually taking a real listen to my songs. Thank you! I have to say I'm liking "Antique Heart" the mostest here on your page. Gosh, you've got a great sound. Thanks so much for stopping by. We should do this again sometime?! I know I'll return here soonly...
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please check out our new record, "Find Me A Drink Home. six of the songs are on our page where the record is also available for purchase. the LP will be available soon also. thank you
yo how have you been? your myspace is looking nice! anyhow, i just got some tight new tones off www.groovytones.info for FREE! they have the coolest selection!
My poorly recorded demos and I humbly request your attendance on this Wednesday, July 4, to celebrate 'merica's independence by rock and rolling people's faces off at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds MERCHANTS BUILDING at 2pm. In fact, bring a bunch of people, and I will rock their faces off too, with my unique brand of "trying my hardest not to suck and embarass myself in front of a bunch of people".
It's free, and afterwards we can talk about tractor pulls. I think the merchants building is the yellow one. Spread the word, because "the more the merrier," as I say regarding these types of uncatered affairs.
colloquially yours, steven.tangent
ps you may yell "REIGNING BLOOD!" or "CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON!" or "TOM SAWYER!" or "WHEN DOVES CRY!" but NOT "FREEBIRD!" Thanks for your cooperation.
