JoDee Purkeypile

Although he's originally from Lubbock, not a hint of Texas twang comes from JoDee Purkeypile. The former Alice Rose frontman's second solo effort continues his fascination with power pop. That Messenger does so with a jolt of originality makes him among the leaders in a genre that thankfully refuses to die. While decidedly rooted in a sound stretching from the Beatles, Zombies, and Badfinger to Nick Lowe and Squeeze, Purkeypile's riffs, melodies, and subject matter are by no means stuck in the past. "Storm on the Sea of You and Me" comes across as Okkervil River meets the Smiths with George Harrison on guitar. Meanwhile there's a hint of Cheap Trick's impishness with "She Can Ride a Bike" and hints of Marc Bolan and T. Rex glam on the snake-y "I Think It's Alright." Throughout, Purkeypile accomplishes the difficult task of making something old and out of fashion into a sound that's bracing and alive. - The Austin Chronicle

Although he's originally from Lubbock, not a hint of Texas twang comes from JoDee Purkeypile. The former Alice Rose frontman's second solo effort continues his fascination with power pop. That Messenger does so with a jolt of originality makes him among the leaders in a genre that thankfully refuses to die. While decidedly rooted in a sound stretching from the Beatles, Zombies, and Badfinger to Nick Lowe and Squeeze, Purkeypile's riffs, melodies, and subject matter are by no means stuck in the past. "Storm on the Sea of You and Me" comes across as Okkervil River meets the Smiths with George Harrison on guitar. Meanwhile there's a hint of Cheap Trick's impishness with "She Can Ride a Bike" and hints of Marc Bolan and T. Rex glam on the snake-y "I Think It's Alright." Throughout, Purkeypile accomplishes the difficult task of making something old and out of fashion into a sound that's bracing and alive. - The Austin Chronicle

Austin band the Alice Rose was like a veteran backup quarterback — they had consistent work, and shined just brightly enough to last a decade. Two albums into a solo career, former Alice Rose singer Jodee Purkeypile has the mileage to pen easy, mature balladry with just the right amount of melancholy and self-loathing to be cool.

In the most vulnerable spots, “Messenger” lands on that post-Elliott Smith, sad Beatle plateau. The hook to “Cruel Movements” is just a downtrodden reality: “Are you older now? I am older now.” It’s hard not to picture a sad emoticon at the end of that sentence. But more than romanticizing the past, it’s a record about acceptance (“I think it’s alright, I’ll stick around for you”).

For a guy that’s been writing songs since puberty, the joyless and straightforward rhythm of electric rocker “My Inner Me” sounds like too familiar territory — especially when the deftly arranged melodies and guitar parts to songs like “Wired Wrong” or “I’m Feeling Down” are such sharp contrasts. In terms of presentation, Purkeypile blocks out the track listing into Side A and Side B tiers, as if 90 percent of listeners won’t be tuning in via desktop browser or CD. It’s fitting, however — half of these are lasting, the others are competent and smart.

— R.R. - The Austin American Statesman

Purkeypile’s expressive brand of power pop is far from derivative, and his high tenor is rather distinct. Yet something about these tracks feels strangely familiar; there’s an unshakable nostalgia about them. Put your ear a little closer, and each song crystallizes into a many-faceted pastiche — rather, a treasure trove — of shout-outs to popular music past and present. Purkeypile’s hushed yet enveloping singing distinctly recalls the triumphant melancholia of Elliott Smith, and when he hits those high notes, his voice erupts into a strained wail strongly reminiscent of Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins). Further, the standout track “Storm On The Sea Of You And Me,” with its singular guitar riff and acoustic strumming, plays like a homage to some forlorn Smiths song. He often hinges vocal melodies on stark, angular phrases, as in “Strange Things”: “Strange things wait on the road,” he wails, “Fascinatin’ situations never grow old.” Producer/engineer Matt Smith, with his penchant for polished indie, leaves an indelible mark on Messenger ; lush arrangements swirl with buffed-out, doubled- over vocals, retro organs and Leslie speakers spinning. Recorded almost completely by Purkeypile in a cabin-cum-studio
in Bastrop, this album offers a charming and catchy foray into realms of soul, folk, psych and everything pop. - Kevin Allen - Texas Music

Bio: When JoDee Purkeypile decided to pursue a solo career after his band, The Alice Rose, ran its course, he saw no need to give himself a mysterious pseudonym or odd nickname. When you’re born with a name as distinctive as his, Purkeypile notes, why would you? And with a new album titled MESSENGER (Feb. 19, 2013), it makes sense to let people know just who that messenger really is. Purkeypile also has heritage to consider: Though he was raised in Austin, he was born in Lubbock, where his father, Dee Purkeypile, played organ with Jesse “Guitar” Taylor, Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. And Dee’s musician great-grandfather was a master of many instruments.

But don’t expect to hear the usual Texas twang in Purkeypile’s music. His influences emanate from more distant locales — most notably Seattle and the United Kingdom. Captivated early on by both ‘60s British invaders and grunge, he adapted a sound that’s part power pop, part rock riffage and part Beatles-meet-Kinks on a sunny afternoon.

MESSENGER is a natural progression from his first solo album, 2011’s OCTOBER HOUSE, and his previous work with The Alice Rose, which included national touring, an NPR Song of the Day (in 2006, for “West,” a track from their debut, PHONOGRAPHIC MEMORY) and inclusion in Austin Monthly magazine’s “Eight to Watch in 2008” music feature. “West” also landed in the horror film, “Splinter.” In 2011, Purkeypile’s solo work earned him the distinction of being the only artist featured twice in that magazine’s annual up-and-comers music feature. That led to official City of Austin recognition of its release date, July 28, 2011, as JoDee Purkeypile Day. International airplay and inclusion on several bloggers’ year-end best-of lists followed.

Though Purkeypile recorded every part of OCTOBER HOUSE on his own, MESSENGER features contributions by several players, including two former Alice Rose members — keyboardist Brendan Rogers and bassist Sean Crooks, Purkeypile’s oldest musical cohort besides his dad.

“I met Sean at middle school,” Purkeypile recalls. “He had on a Metallica shirt; he was kind of a geeky guy tryin’ to look cool. I had long hair, so he was like, ‘I’ll go talk to this guy.’”

Purkeypile already had some musical skill by then; he’d been banging away since age 5 on a Ludwig drumkit his father had obtained in trade for a Leslie speaker.

“That was my thing till I was about 12, and then I heard Nirvana,” he relates. The first day his family got cable, he saw their “Heart-Shaped Box” video on MTV and knew that’s what he wanted to do. He also figured he should pick up a guitar.

It just so happened that Crooks’ father owned the Steamboat, a legendary Austin music club, and sometimes brought home gear that had been left behind. When Purkeypile saw Crooks’ garage full of instruments, he realized, “This might not be too bad a guy to hook up with.”

They’ve been friends and musical collaborators ever since. At first, they played Nirvana covers and “easy punk stuff,” Purkeypile remembers. Then he got a Beatles song book, learned the chords, started connecting the dots, and began writing his own songs.

His Mersey-meets-Britpop sensibilities translate into a melodic lilt that filters from Peter & Gordon through the Zombies and early Fleetwood Mac to Nick Lowe and Squeeze. With forays into territory inhabited by Free and the Faces. (Apparently, it’s just coincidence that his illustrator girlfriend is from Market Drayton, in Shropshire, England, and OCTOBER HOUSE is named after a residence there.)

But Purkeypile, who explored acting as a child and has crafted several music videos, is hardly a one-dimensional retro artist. He also cites the impact of performers such as Roky Erickson, the late Richard Manuel of the Band, Mick Jagger, Glenn Danzig and Johnny Marr, and mentions how much he likes artists such as Spoon and Fleet Foxes. And no one who’s listened to Purkeypile’s work — solo, with The Alice Rose or even in his very first band, PigGie Hat — would make the mistake of writing him off as derivative.

“I’m trying to combine the ‘60s influences I heard growing up with some of the contemporary influences I might pick up on just through the radio or at clubs and shows,” he explains. “I take bits of everything I hear and try to approach it in my own way.”

That would include his subject matter. While OCTOBER HOUSE focused on “the struggles of long-distance relationships,” MESSENGER, co-produced by Matt Smith at Hot Tracks Studio in Bastrop, outside of Austin, channels a variety of themes. The title tune, in fact, was inspired by the work of horror/sci-fi novelist H.P. Lovecraft. (“I’m still not sure what it’s about,” confesses Purkeypile, an avid reader and book collector.) “Cruel Movements” was composed on piano in the aftermath of a “strange” night out with old friends. “I Think It’s Alright” explores some self-doubts; the harpsichord-laced “Storm on the Sea of You and Me,” his personal favorite among t - Austin Live and Local on 94.7 The Mix

It’s important to note that in a world of artists who take up crazy names for their solo projects, JoDee Purkeypile is not one of them. When your name is that distinctive, there’s no need for some fancy moniker. The singer-songwriter decided to kick off a solo career when his band, The Alice Rose, had run its course. As with his band, Purkeypile’s solo work takes influence from everything from britpop to grunge to create something wholly new while also sounding familiar.

JoDee Purkeypile’s second solo album, Messenger, came out earlier this year to great reviews. Wednesday night, he’ll play a show at the Scoot Inn. Today, he was in Studio 1a to to play us a few songs off his new album. Listen to the result of that session RIGHT HERE! - KUTX.ORG

After years playing with his band The Alice Rose, Austin singer-songwriter JoDee Purkeypile recently released his second solo album. The latest album finds Purkeypile crafting a sound that is filled with 70s-influenced power pop goodness while still sounding fresh and original. As he gears up for a small run of shows, The Horn's Neil Ferguson spoke with JoDee Purkeypile about his latest album and the ups and downs of going solo.

Solo outings have a tendency to be hit or miss. They can be awful self-indulgent romps that make you wonder how many drugs the musician had to consume to believe he was actually putting out something good (Mick Jagger’s Goddess in the Doorway anyone?), or they can shine new light on talent that previously may have been toned down to fit the dynamics of the band (George Harrison comes to mind). Austin singer-songwriter JoDee Purkeypile is the latter.

One of the founding members of Austin band The Alice Rose, JoDee Purkeypile recently released his second solo album, Messenger, a power-pop wonder that channels the likes of George Harrison, Big Star, and Spoon. Having recorded his first album entirely on his own, handling the recording and instrumentation without help, JoDee opted for a different approach on Messenger, recording in a professional studio and getting musician help from his old bandmates.



“With my first album I did that all at home and played everything on it, but for this one I wanted to go back in a proper studio. I did it in a studio with a good engineer, Matt Smith. The problem I had on my last album was recording and playing everything, and it took quite a while to get everything done because I wasn't just concentrating on the music; I was worried about the mixing and the engineering and all that stuff,” says Purkeypile.

The production shows on the album, which flows through one catchy tune after another. “I wanted it to be 70s sounding, you know, very dry drums, lots of double track stuff. As far as the direction on the album, I was mainly looking more for the sonic clarity of it, because with my first album I just couldn't get it as good. I had Brendan Rogers on keyboard. He was in The Alice Rose as well and he's just a great keyboard player.”

Working with other musicians on production helped JoDee give Messenger its rich textured sound that is more polished than his previous solo album, but he has no plans to play with The Alice Rose again or start a new band. “In the Alice Rose we didn't do a lot of collaborating, which may have been my fault. With solo it's like here's my vision, this is what I want to do. It's just easier because I know how I want to sound. And then if people don't like it it's all my fault and [my bandmates] don't have to take any of the blame,” says Purkeypile.

The Alice Rose never had a rock band blow out where the members turn on each other and never speak again. They remain friends and still play together on different projects. For JoDee it was just a matter of maturing and moving to that next phase in his life and music. He points that out, saying, “I never wanted to just form another band. I didn't even know if I would be playing live anymore [after The Alice Rose]. I thought that maybe I'll just sit here and make records, but I ended up missing playing with a live band. It's good to have people you can collaborate with. Musically, [what I'm doing now] is not much different.”

Other than a few gigs during South By Southwest this year, JoDee has yet to bring his latest work to a live audience. With a small handful of upcoming gigs that includes shows in Austin, West Texas and New Mexico, JoDee isn’t in a hurry to take off on a massive tour. Right now he’s focused on just getting into the groove of playing his new material live, but that’s not to say there aren’t more dates planned for the future, and according to JoDee, “by the summer we should be touring more.”

In the meantime keep an eye out for occasional Austin shows from JoDee Purkeypile, and if you get a chance go catch this local talent perform. You won’t be sorry.

JoDee Purkeypile plays The Scoot Inn on Wednesday, April 24.
- The Horn

Singer/songwriter JoDee Purkeypile is celebrating a release this week with his second full length, Messenger. He proudly wears his Anglophile influences on his sleeve – everything from 60s British invaders like The Beatles and The Kinks, 70s power pop like Badfinger and Nick Lowe, and 80s Britpop such as Squeeze and The Smiths. He deftly threads his favorite sounds together and crafts songs in the worthy tradition of the pop songsmiths of his influences. - Side One Track One

This is the second solo album by JoDee Purkeypile (The Alice Rose) and starting with the piano melody of “Cruel Movements” its full of double tracked vocals and Elliot Smith styled isolation. “I Think It’s Alright” breaks out a fantastic guitar riff, with various variations of the chorus.

Purkeypile brings his English power pop influences to the forefront so if you like Squeeze, Crowded House, Nick Lowe and Badfinger you’ll enjoy this. The bounce of “Wired Wrong” and Elton styled piano of “She Can Ride A Bike” are real gems. JoDee’s mastery of the classic instrumentation and layered arrangements invites repeat listens on many tracks, notably “Storm On The Sea of You and Me.” Things slow down towards the albums end, but overall an excellent album to dig into. Highly Recommended! - Powerpopaholic

Former Alice Rose frontman JoDee Purkeypile is back with his second solo album after his triumphant 2011 release October House, and Messenger is a more than worthy follow-up. Once again, Purkeypile purveys polished indie pop with a touch of a British influence - kind of like Glenn Tilbrook meets Jon Brion, with a hint of Elliott Smith. The piano-backed "Cruel Movements" opens the disc and is both melodic and haunting, the insistent guitars of "I Think It's Alright" and "My Inner Me" bring Bends-era Radiohead to mind, and the jaunty "Wired Wrong" has an AC Newman feel to it. The proceedings close nicely with the title track, which boasts a serpentine melody and biting lyrics. This is first-rate stuff, and an early contender for Best of 2013. - Absolute Powerpop

Former Alice Rose frontman JoDee Purkeypile is back with his second solo album after his triumphant 2011 release October House, and Messenger is a more than worthy follow-up. Once again, Purkeypile purveys polished indie pop with a touch of a British influence - kind of like Glenn Tilbrook meets Jon Brion, with a hint of Elliott Smith. The piano-backed "Cruel Movements" opens the disc and is both melodic and haunting, the insistent guitars of "I Think It's Alright" and "My Inner Me" bring Bends-era Radiohead to mind, and the jaunty "Wired Wrong" has an AC Newman feel to it. The proceedings close nicely with the title track, which boasts a serpentine melody and biting lyrics. This is first-rate stuff, and an early contender for Best of 2013. - Absolute Powerpop

Episode 81: JoDee Purkeypile
ole'!

hey everyone! i hope you're doing well. winning at life. beating father time at HIS game. plus, i hope you're healthy, happy and a subscriber to our podcast. thank you for listening to it. i am doing much better this week. i have been working on the songs for an e.p. i'm going to make this summer. i played some shows this week. i played a solo show last night and it felt great to get lost in my music. i really felt like i was "in it". not that i don't normally feel that way, just sometimes you fly a little higher. i loved it and i can't wait to do more. it looks like SKYROCKET! is going to be doing some traveling. california, nyc. i'm looking forward to that as well. i'm going to try to book a solo show and some podcasts in nyc for the day i'm there. so, listen up nyc folks... we're gonna get down!

my guest for episode 81 is the incredibly talented, jodee purkeypile. jodee was in a band you might have heard called the alice rose. i have had the good fortune of knowing jodee since he was around 13 and he ran around with my godson who's father owned the club i had a residency at for a lot of the 90's called steamboat. anyway, jodee and i talked about his upbringing in music and around so many musicians, the rise of piGie Hat, transforming into the alice rose, his four-tracking years, solo albums and his kickstarter campaign for his new solo album. it was great to sit down and chat with jodee, it's been a long time. i hope you enjoy our conversation. i did.

ciao! -jg - How Did I Get There

JODEE PURKEYPILE
It’s quite rare to make it into Austin Monthly’s Bands to Watch feature twice. In 2008, The Alice Rose was an obvious choice for “8 to Watch in ’08,” but the band, which had an NPR Song of the Day and a track featured in the indie horror movie Slither, somehow wasn’t able to get enough traction with its sophomore album. That led to a complete dissolution of the group and each member reassessing where to go from there. “We had a good buzz doing, did some touring, but I dunno,” says Rose front man and principal songwriter JoDee Purkeypile.

After taking some time to figure out his next move, Purkeypile decided to strike out on his own. Not surprising, as he has everything needed to take it to the next level again. He was raised in the West Texas music incubator of Lubbock, and his father, Dee Purkeypile, is an organist who played with Jesse “Guitar” Taylor, Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

While the younger Purkeypile, 29, does retain a faint Texas twang, his smooth singing voice actually has an English bent to it. And Brit-pop is the direction he goes in his own music journey. “I do appreciate that rich, musical heritage out there in West Texas with all of those guys, but those aren’t really my influences,” he says. “They are great, though. They’re worshipped by a lot of people around here.”

As he continues laying down tracks with his new material (he has about 19 songs in the can already), Purkeypile takes those childhood and early adult lessons with him into the next phase of his career. “I’ve never put out an album that’s all fresh material,” he says. “It’s the most honest stuff I’ve written thus far.” - Austin Monthly

JODEE PURKEYPILE
It’s quite rare to make it into Austin Monthly’s Bands to Watch feature twice. In 2008, The Alice Rose was an obvious choice for “8 to Watch in ’08,” but the band, which had an NPR Song of the Day and a track featured in the indie horror movie Slither, somehow wasn’t able to get enough traction with its sophomore album. That led to a complete dissolution of the group and each member reassessing where to go from there. “We had a good buzz doing, did some touring, but I dunno,” says Rose front man and principal songwriter JoDee Purkeypile.

After taking some time to figure out his next move, Purkeypile decided to strike out on his own. Not surprising, as he has everything needed to take it to the next level again. He was raised in the West Texas music incubator of Lubbock, and his father, Dee Purkeypile, is an organist who played with Jesse “Guitar” Taylor, Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

While the younger Purkeypile, 29, does retain a faint Texas twang, his smooth singing voice actually has an English bent to it. And Brit-pop is the direction he goes in his own music journey. “I do appreciate that rich, musical heritage out there in West Texas with all of those guys, but those aren’t really my influences,” he says. “They are great, though. They’re worshipped by a lot of people around here.”

As he continues laying down tracks with his new material (he has about 19 songs in the can already), Purkeypile takes those childhood and early adult lessons with him into the next phase of his career. “I’ve never put out an album that’s all fresh material,” he says. “It’s the most honest stuff I’ve written thus far.” - Austin Monthly

MARFA- Austin singer/songwriter JoDee Purkeypile will be playing at Padre’s Marfa at 9pm on Friday, December 1 in anticipation of his second solo record which is due for release in January.

Purkeypile gained much acclaim for his 2011 debut solo album, October House, which the songwriter wrote, produced, and performed in it’s entirety. He was listed on the “11 artists to watch in 2011” by Austin Monthly, who also named his former band the Alice Rose in their “8 artists to watch in 2008.” October House found an unlikely fan in Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who honored the young singer by proclaiming July 18, 2011 as “JoDee Purkeypile Day” in the city to coincide with the official release of the album.

Purkeypile’s acoustic-based indie-pop, which has received radio play in places as far as France and Spain, brings to mind fellow Austinites Okervil River (complete with trumpet parts and forays into alt-country territory) with a vocal delivery teeter-tottering between the Get Up Kids’ Matthew Pryor and Elliot Smith.

Purkeypile will be joined by keyboardist and former Alice Rose bandmate Brendan Rogers, guitarist Jason Morris, bassist Matt Miller, and multi-instrumentalist Esther Garcia. - Big Bend Now

MARFA- Austin singer/songwriter JoDee Purkeypile will be playing at Padre’s Marfa at 9pm on Friday, December 1 in anticipation of his second solo record which is due for release in January.

Purkeypile gained much acclaim for his 2011 debut solo album, October House, which the songwriter wrote, produced, and performed in it’s entirety. He was listed on the “11 artists to watch in 2011” by Austin Monthly, who also named his former band the Alice Rose in their “8 artists to watch in 2008.” October House found an unlikely fan in Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who honored the young singer by proclaiming July 18, 2011 as “JoDee Purkeypile Day” in the city to coincide with the official release of the album.

Purkeypile’s acoustic-based indie-pop, which has received radio play in places as far as France and Spain, brings to mind fellow Austinites Okervil River (complete with trumpet parts and forays into alt-country territory) with a vocal delivery teeter-tottering between the Get Up Kids’ Matthew Pryor and Elliot Smith.

Purkeypile will be joined by keyboardist and former Alice Rose bandmate Brendan Rogers, guitarist Jason Morris, bassist Matt Miller, and multi-instrumentalist Esther Garcia. - Big Bend Now

MARFA — Austin singer-songwriter JoDee Purkeypile will pay his first visit to Padre’s Marfa on Saturday, December 1; showtime is 10 p.m.

Purkeypile has received praise for his work since the release of his band The Alice Rose’s first album in 2006, “Phonographic Memory.” After a handful of singles, an EP and their 2009 follow-up, “All Haunt’s Sound,” Purkeypile headed out on his own.

Throughout 2010, he recorded, performed and produced his first solo album, “October House,” at his home studio in Austin. He received buzz from the local media, thanks to KUT-FM and Austin Monthly. On July 28, 2011, Purkeypile was given an honorary day by Austin’s mayor. His music has begun to reach an international audience as well, with radio exposure in France, Spain and the U.K.

Purkeypile began recording his second solo record in August. He is currently mixing the album, which is scheduled for a January 2013 release. - Alpine Daily Planet

MARFA — Austin singer-songwriter JoDee Purkeypile will pay his first visit to Padre’s Marfa on Saturday, December 1; showtime is 10 p.m.

Purkeypile has received praise for his work since the release of his band The Alice Rose’s first album in 2006, “Phonographic Memory.” After a handful of singles, an EP and their 2009 follow-up, “All Haunt’s Sound,” Purkeypile headed out on his own.

Throughout 2010, he recorded, performed and produced his first solo album, “October House,” at his home studio in Austin. He received buzz from the local media, thanks to KUT-FM and Austin Monthly. On July 28, 2011, Purkeypile was given an honorary day by Austin’s mayor. His music has begun to reach an international audience as well, with radio exposure in France, Spain and the U.K.

Purkeypile began recording his second solo record in August. He is currently mixing the album, which is scheduled for a January 2013 release. - Alpine Daily Planet

If the name sounds familiar to you, it's because JDP was the frontman of The Alice Rose, a Texas band who put out a pair of outstanding Jon-Brion-meets-Squeeze indie pop albums in the last 5 years. The obvious parallel here is Greg Pope; like Pope, Purkeypile plays all the instruments here, and in the same manner as when Pope left Edmund's Crown, the solo flight has allowed Purkeypile to distill the essence of the sound he first forged in the band setting. So this is more Jon Brion than Squeeze, and that's a good thing here as "Disappear from Here" is among the best songs he's written, a swirling pop gem in a minor key. "Your Days Ends as Mine Begins" is first-rate guitar pop, and the rollicking "Company Man" has a Jellyfish by way of Michael Penn vibe. Elsewhere, "Summer Sunday" is a lovely slice of mellow indie pop, and the propulsive "Autumn Mind" channels Neil Finn. I could see this one ending up in 2011's top 20. - Absolute Powerpop

If the name sounds familiar to you, it's because JDP was the frontman of The Alice Rose, a Texas band who put out a pair of outstanding Jon-Brion-meets-Squeeze indie pop albums in the last 5 years. The obvious parallel here is Greg Pope; like Pope, Purkeypile plays all the instruments here, and in the same manner as when Pope left Edmund's Crown, the solo flight has allowed Purkeypile to distill the essence of the sound he first forged in the band setting. So this is more Jon Brion than Squeeze, and that's a good thing here as "Disappear from Here" is among the best songs he's written, a swirling pop gem in a minor key. "Your Days Ends as Mine Begins" is first-rate guitar pop, and the rollicking "Company Man" has a Jellyfish by way of Michael Penn vibe. Elsewhere, "Summer Sunday" is a lovely slice of mellow indie pop, and the propulsive "Autumn Mind" channels Neil Finn. I could see this one ending up in 2011's top 20. - Absolute Powerpop

Best known as vocalist/guitarist for local pop-psych quartet the Alice Rose, JoDee Purkeypile's premiere solo effort doesn't stray far from his band's output. Recorded, produced, and performed entirely by its creator, October House seldom self-indulges, with echoes of Emitt Rhodes and Tommy Keene running rampant. The nearly breathless "Don't Let It Die" and the cool-edged bop of "Disappear From Here" are just two of its many charms. Three-and-a-half stars - The Austin Chronicle

Best known as vocalist/guitarist for local pop-psych quartet the Alice Rose, JoDee Purkeypile's premiere solo effort doesn't stray far from his band's output. Recorded, produced, and performed entirely by its creator, October House seldom self-indulges, with echoes of Emitt Rhodes and Tommy Keene running rampant. The nearly breathless "Don't Let It Die" and the cool-edged bop of "Disappear From Here" are just two of its many charms. Three-and-a-half stars - The Austin Chronicle