ROSE CITY BAND started purely as a recording project, with Ripley Johnson’s role mostly obscured for the self-titled debut album. Ripley Johnson most known as bandleader of WOODEN SHJIPS and one half of MOON DUO.
With ROSE CITY BAND, Johnson’s songwriting and beautiful guitar lines take center stage, the veil of psychedelia notably drawn back. The vocal would be recognizable to any WOODEN SHJIPS fan. Shimmering guitar lines are free to shine, buoyed by driving rhythms. New to the mix are arrangements and instruments drawn directly from classic country, resulting in songs with more than a hint of twang.
The latest release is named "Summerlong", born of Johnson’s own fondness for the season, delivers an emotional lift—an expression akin to the joy of getting out there on a warm day, be it gathering for a BBQ, hopping onto a bike, leaping into a swimming hole, or simply reading in a park.
"Summerlong" was released with no promotion in the style of private press records, it was a liberating act, a focus on music without any expectations. Explaining it with a chuckle, Johnson elaborates, “I always would threaten to my friends that I’m gonna start a country rock band so I can retire and just play down at the pub every Thursday night during happy hour. I love being able to tour and travel, but I also like the idea of having a local band … more of a social music experience.”
"Summerlong" was mixed by John McEntire (STEREOLAB, BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE, TORTOISE) at his newly minted Portland Soma Studios and mastered by Amy Dragon at Telegraph Mastering, also based in Portland.
Today's tune "Wildflowers" taken from "Summerlong", enjoy!
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