Adam Sweeney & the Jamboree

Adam Sweeney & the Jamboree is an indie folk rock band from Portland, OR. Their music is like The Sound of Silence after the band kicks in: all jangle and harmony, poppy yet literary, brooding and celebratory all at the same time. They released a self-titled debut album Adam Sweeney & the Jamboree in June 2011.

The band began recording in the winter of 2009, laying down drum tracks at The Woods in Portland, a funeral chapel turned music venue with a killer acoustic vibe. They then spent the bulk of 2010 meticulously tracking with engineer David Fuller, who also plays accordion in the band. Using a portable setup, they bounced between various basements and live rooms in Portland, choosing locations based purely on the sounds they wanted to capture.

String arrangements by Wendy Goodwin provide a lush orchestral soundscape that perfectly offsets the jangly folk rock arrangements. The album also features guest musicians like Jake Jolliff (Joy Kills Sorrow) on mandolin, Bryan Free on organ, Nate Purcelley (Deepest Darkest) on trumpet, Christy Kuiken (Pacific Crest Wind Symphony) on vibraphone, and Kendra Carpenter on cello.

Preceding their full band debut, Sweeney has independently released three solo records: Wildest Rose (2011), Technicolor Halo (2007), and Places & Names (2004).

Sweeney has shared the stage with the likes of Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs, Dar Williams, Laura Gibson, The Low Anthem, Joy Kills Sorrow, Tracy Grammer, and Carrie Rodriguez.

PRESS QUOTES:

“Mere months removed from the release of the Wildest Rose EP, Adam Sweeney teams with his trusty backing band the Jamboree for yet another recording. On the just-released self-titled LP, the singer/songwriter dabbles in dusty-road rural Americana (think Ryan Adams) and a more straightforward sound that would feel at home on radio dials (think Josh Ritter). . . Rootsy opening number “Bound to Go” accentuates Sweeney’s dialed-in approach to penning concise folk-rock songs without need for gimmicks or unnecessary flair.”
–Ezra Ace Caraeff, The Portland Mercury

“Adam Sweeney is blessed… with an impeccable folkie lineup, wary resolution of the tunes, and the determined conflict and recovery of wry and sweet lyrics.”
–Suzi Steffen, Eugene Weekly

“A far cry from the pretentious hipster-indie bands… Adam Sweeney & The Jamboree play gorgeous, melodic folk music. Sweeney’s voice is beautiful, sounding at times much like Paul Simon or Glenn Phillips (of Toad The Wet Sprocket). Listening to him sing was a pleasure… and who doesn’t love a band with an accordion?”
–Amber Gregory, San Francisco Examiner

“Portland provides more folk/rock fuse delight via Adam Sweeney, whose quavering voice and electric spin on traditional folk dishes out something different.”
-–Monterey County Weekly

“Sweet, reedy voice and thoughtful, melodic tunes… reminds me of a classic ’70's-vintage singer-songwriter, though not in a cliched way; his music’s just refreshingly free of irony.”
–Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week

“Drawing comparisons to Dave Carter and Gillian Welch, as well as folk revival poets like Paul Simon and Cat Stevens.”
–Northeast Performer

“Listing Dave Carter and Josh Ritter as major influences, Sweeney is one of a handful of young artists redefining purely American music and introducing it to a whole new generation.”
–Tony Engelhart, Weekly Volcano

“Melting some electric noise into his traditional folk and country sound… and also sprinkled with a bit of folk spirituality.”
–OregonMusicNews.com

“One of the hard working and talented vanguard of a new generation of folk musicians.”
–Tom May, River City Folk, WFMT Fine Arts Radio

“Adam Sweeney is a promising young folksinger… he combines intricate acoustic guitar hooks with powerful lyric storytelling.”
–Passim Magazine

“Adam Sweeney’s sincere songwriting mixes impressionistic imagery, religious iconography and the kind of strikingly personal observations that seem lifted from a letter to a friend. That lyrical blend is delivered through appealing melodies and expressive singing, with a hint of grain to it that sometimes suggests a violin bow drawn tenderly over his vocal cords.”
–Willamette Week (Portland, OR)

“A true folksinger… he weaves his words together telling stories of the times.”
–The Southeast Examiner (Portland, OR)

“Great voice! Powerful, provocative.”
–Portland Songwriters’ Association, voted “Best Songwriter” at January Showcase 2004