Biography
Colin Spring is a NW singer/songwriter known in certain circles for cramming humorous and poignant narratives into the small space of time that is a folk song, all the while managing to avoid overt corniness, or extreme earnestness.
Spring is foremost a writer. There is no questioning his lyrical ability and he possesses rare skills in this department. The Oregonian went so far as to say, “he makes other songwriters look like they have acquired language by mistake.”
Great writers draw from extraordinary real life experiences or vivid imaginations. Spring undoubtedly draws from both. Often times it may take repeated listens to begin to grasp the scope of ideas, metaphors and entendres that lay within even a verse of Spring’s prose. Art is no less subjective than the marquee sign proclamation, "the best burger in town” but it is generally agreed that you have to begin with some real substance and the rest is just dressing. Or at the risk of sounding overly crass, you can only polish a turd so much.
Spring’s last album, the tongue in cheek entitled, How I Came To Cry These Tears Of Cool, was a collection of personal perceptions that spanned the time from Spring’s childhood as the son of a failed drug runner to the accusatory and paranoid atmosphere of the previous election cycle.
That album has long since sold out of its first pressing, which is a noteworthy feat for a grassroots artist that sells most of his merchandise on the road. . And in the meantime he has been busy cataloging new compositions and testing them on new audiences.
Notable Accomplishments
Selected for main showcase at the National Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis.
He was a finalist at the prestigious Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest at the Sisters Folk Festival.
He has opened for Americana icon and Juno Winner Fred Eaglesmith several times and has twice MC’d Fred’s annual Southern Picnic in Ontario, Canada.
Other national acts Colin has played with include Greg Brown, Chris Smither, Devil Makes 3, Richard Buckner, Bobby Bare Jr, Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets', John Doe of X, Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3), Evan Dando of the Lemonheads, Jon Langford….
Press Reviews
Top 12 DIY Albums Performing Songwriter March 2006
Paste Recommends…..3 1/2!-Paste Magazine February 2006
Balancing folk-rock intelligence and indie rock swagger, Colin Spring blossoms on his fourth album…a master of heartfelt story-songs in the tradition of vintage Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.-All Music Guide John D. Luerssen (author River Edge, The Weezer Story)
…the kind of tunes that make other songwriters look as if they’ve acquired language by mistake-November 2005 The Oregonian
Spring’s exceptional storytelling skills and captivating lyrics keep the listener enthralled…vivid, emotional narratives never fail to leave one contented-November 2005 The Big Takeover
Spring lands in the company of the most important talents this town (Seattle) has produced in recent years...Meet the Sea is the best album since Modest Mouses’ second release -The Stranger
Spring's enormously insightful, heartfelt lyrics, which he sings in a narrative, Dylan-like vocal style, that constantly keep the listener absorbed. With nary a weak moment, this excellent LP(Cancion del Pollo) ranks among the most pleasant surprises of the year. -May 2005 The Big Takeover
Colin Spring understands the romance of a dirty kiss, the pathos of a sidewalk full of bandy-legged
drunks. -Everett True-music journalist/Melody Maker/author
Instrumentation
I play most often now as a solo performer for the flexibility of scheduling and for economic purposes.
I have been a part of many great bands throughout the years including the Naugahyde Nights, The Post Modern Conveniences and The Band That Murdered Silence.
In the past we have rotated through some fine musicians depending on the variables but most recently.
IT-drums
Nate "And His Taut Four Skins" Fridena-Drums
"Hell Might As Well" Denel Graham-accordion/vocals
Adam Mack "Attack"-Drums
Chris "And His Small But Powerful Organ" Hess
Bill "Lonesome Dewey" Miller
"How I Came To Cry These Tears Of Cool" was the most recent release. It was recorded with Johnny Sangster and featured amongst others Mark Pickerel of the Screaming Trees, Jim Sangster of the Young Fresh Fellows, Carla Torgerson of the Walkabouts, Anne Marie Ruljancich of Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter and the Artis The Spoonman.
Discography
Can't Dance Too Wet To Plow compilation w/Doug Marscht, Klaus Flouride, et al
Dashboard Tallies,
Pedestrian Kills (1998)
Meet The Sea...
Or Be Washed Up (2000)
Cancion del Pollo w/ The Band That Murdered silence(2004)
How I Came To Cry These Tears of Cool (Fall 2005)
Links
| http://www.colinspring.com |