The Lonely Forest
lonely forest by dave stanley
Deserve the Buzz
After three years and just as many albums not to mention an abundance of critical acclaim and countless high profile gigs the Lonely Forest find themselves on the cusp of becoming a national act.
From their garage, that is.
“We still record there, in Anacortes,” confirmed lead vocalist John Van Deusen. “It helps to keep us grounded. It’s still surreal that the country’s taking notice.”
The proverbial band ‘returning to their roots’ is one thing. But if they never left to begin with, then there’s obviously nowhere to go but up.
Formed in 2005 as “John Van Deusen and the Lonely Forest,” the outfit was initially a piano-driven group that experimented in the conceptual realm of songwriting and was arguably less straightforward.
Their newest effort, We Sing the Body Electric, which features more direct, melodic and guitar-based pop, has the air of a breakthrough album, both in the media and the music.
“I think it was a good move for us,” said Van Deusen, referring to the slight yet notable style change.
The Lonely Forest are one of a few bands that are part of a somewhat new Northwest Pop scene that seemingly grows by the month. In fact, such was the main feature of a recent Sound magazine story, titled “The Year NW Pop Exploded.”
The band on the cover? You guessed it, the Lonely Forest.
Van Deusen elaborated on the surreal factor. “I’ll walk in to (a store) and see me on the cover…my face all over the place,” he said with a laugh.
The band has a few select dates along the West Coast this fall, including one at Bumbershoot, September 7 at 3 p.m. at the EMP Skychurch.
Yet this won’t be the first time they have played the event.
In 2006, the band won the Experience Music Project Soundoff, which nabbed them a coveted spot in the festival.
However, it wasn’t initially as glamorous as billed, given that they had yet to make a big name for themselves in the region.
This year, they have a better time slot and quite a bigger following.
“We now have a buzz,” added Van Deusen, explaining that three years ago, their festival appearance was based more so on the merits of the contest victory, and not so much genuine fan following at that point.
Up next for the band are two significant, red-letter events that essentially will prove to be ’sink or swim, make or break’ moments.
One is their November 24 headlining gig at the Showbox in Seattle, with Telekinesis and the Globes. Van Deusen said that while the band, which also includes Braydn Krueger on drums, Tony Ruland on lead guitar and Eric Sturgeon on bass, has played there once before, it was somewhat bittersweet and anti-climactic.
“There were some major labels there but our young fan base couldn’t really afford to come see it,” he said, explaining their non-headlining, lackluster turnout. “It’s really terrifying, but this time is our chance to prove we deserve the buzz.”
He also mentioned that it would be the last time they would be playing the Northwest for a while, given that the second of the two major projects will be on the docket; a new album set for nationwide release in the early part of next year.
With all of the major labels at their doorstep, one might imagine things getting to their head. Yet the Lonely Forest manage to keep things in perspective, looking to similar bands the Fleet Foxes and Death Cab for Cutie that came before them who are managing their success while simultaneously staying artistically pure.
Regardless, the term “garage rock” now has taken on a whole new meaning.
Catch The Lonely Forest on September 7 at Bumbershoot. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/thelonelyforest
Leave a Response
COMMENT RULES: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Keep the discussion civil. What's Up! reserves the right to delete comments or remove links deemed inappropriate in any form. If you want a pretty picture with your comment, sign up for a Gravatar account.
The Lonely Forest – Deserve the Buzz
After three years and just as many albums not to mention an abundance of critical acclaim and countless high profile gigs the Lonely Forest find themselves on the cusp of becoming a national act.
From their garage, that is.
“We still record there, in Anacortes,” confirmed lead vocalist John Van Deusen. “It helps to keep us grounded. It’s still surreal that the country’s taking notice.”
The proverbial band ‘returning to their roots’ is one thing. But if they never left to begin with, then there’s obviously nowhere to go but up.
Formed in 2005 as “John Van Deusen and the Lonely Forest,” the outfit was initially a piano-driven group that experimented in the conceptual realm of songwriting and was arguably less straightforward.
Their newest effort, We Sing the Body Electric, which features more direct, melodic and guitar-based pop, has the air of a breakthrough album, both in the media and the music.
“I think it was a good move for us,” said Van Deusen, referring to the slight yet notable style change.
The Lonely Forest are one of a few bands that are part of a somewhat new Northwest Pop scene that seemingly grows by the month. In fact, such was the main feature of a recent Sound magazine story, titled “The Year NW Pop Exploded.”
The band on the cover? You guessed it, the Lonely Forest.
Van Deusen elaborated on the surreal factor. “I’ll walk in to (a store) and see me on the cover…my face all over the place,” he said with a laugh.
The band has a few select dates along the West Coast this fall, including one at Bumbershoot, September 7 at 3 p.m. at the EMP Skychurch.
Yet this won’t be the first time they have played the event.
In 2006, the band won the Experience Music Project Soundoff, which nabbed them a coveted spot in the festival.
However, it wasn’t initially as glamorous as billed, given that they had yet to make a big name for themselves in the region.
This year, they have a better time slot and quite a bigger following.
“We now have a buzz,” added Van Deusen, explaining that three years ago, their festival appearance was based more so on the merits of the contest victory, and not so much genuine fan following at that point.
Up next for the band are two significant, red-letter events that essentially will prove to be ’sink or swim, make or break’ moments.
One is their November 24 headlining gig at the Showbox in Seattle, with Telekinesis and the Globes. Van Deusen said that while the band, which also includes Braydn Krueger on drums, Tony Ruland on lead guitar and Eric Sturgeon on bass, has played there once before, it was somewhat bittersweet and anti-climactic.
“There were some major labels there but our young fan base couldn’t really afford to come see it,” he said, explaining their non-headlining, lackluster turnout. “It’s really terrifying, but this time is our chance to prove we deserve the buzz.”
He also mentioned that it would be the last time they would be playing the Northwest for a while, given that the second of the two major projects will be on the docket; a new album set for nationwide release in the early part of next year.
With all of the major labels at their doorstep, one might imagine things getting to their head. Yet the Lonely Forest manage to keep things in perspective, looking to similar bands the Fleet Foxes and Death Cab for Cutie that came before them who are managing their success while simultaneously staying artistically pure.
Regardless, the term “garage rock” now has taken on a whole new meaning.
Catch The Lonely Forest on September 7 at Bumbershoot. For more information, check out [www.myspace.com/thelonelyforest]
Leave a Response
COMMENT RULES: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Keep the discussion civil. What's Up! reserves the right to delete comments or remove links deemed inappropriate in any form. If you want a pretty picture with your comment, sign up for a Gravatar account.
