NOCONA

Before they came together in 2012 as NOCONA, husband-and-wife team, Chris and Adrienne Isom, along with charismatic southern-native, Annie Rothschild, were 3/4s of the LA based Roots-Folk-Punk band Paladino, who ended their time together playing the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Longtime friend and accomplished drummer, Justin Smith (Old Californio, The Seeds) joined Chris, Adrienne and Annie as NOCONA, now an energetic Americana-Rock group that delivers a free spirited attitude, up-tempo tunes and infectious hooks that are brimming with heartfelt emotion and honesty, penned by songwriter Chris Isom. The bands fine-tuned dynamics and solid technical skills, raises the bar from their previous work, resulting in the 10 well-crafted, wide-ranging tracks featured on their self-titled debut, NOCONA.

The project developed quickly, says Chris. There were just a lot of things I was working out on my own and sometimes you just have to steamroll through this stuff. I thought it would be fun for all of us to work together.

A music veteran, Chris spent time playing in NYC Anti-Folk/Art-Punk bands Mooney Suzuki and The Adam Green Band which adds to NOCONAS diverse sound, incorporating punk and underground into their Country-Rock . The name NOCONA, is a nod to Chris Texas roots. Nocona is the area in Texas where my Moms family originally lived; it comes from the Comanche word for Wanderers or Travelers. Chris mom, even has ties to music history, once playing the role of tutor to Joe B. Mauldin of Buddy Holly and The Crickets.

The influence of 1950s artists like Buddy Holly are clearly heard on NOCONAS debut album and they remind listeners that it was that marriage between early American rock n roll along with a youthful, rebellious and socially conscious mindset that brought about the whole punk movement of the late 1970s. NOCONA who do well in evolving that sound and spirit, take things one step further by drawing on psychedelic bands like the 13th Floor Elevators and Love, along with the California twang of Buck Owens and Gram Parsons, crossed with the Outlaw Country of Johnny Cash. The mix of these varied musical tastes, comes together to bring a distinct style that takes risks and delivers a sound unlike any other artists today.

This is the first music Ive written thats free from a lot of the artistic hang ups that have stifled my writing in the past, says Chris. Ive let go and just accepted the process, and sometimes that means exploring melodies and lyrics that used to be too personal for me to share with anyone. Other times, it means just shutting up and rocking the fuck out, says Chris.

Over the past year, NOCONA has been hard at work and recently finished their first full-length album, which was recorded at Kevin Jarviss Sonic Boom Room studio in Venice, California. Their first single, Brimstone, is one of the mellower tracks on the album, but has a steady movement that features driving acoustic blues riffs and harmonica along with an engaging boy/girl sung verse that is filled with honesty as the dialogue candidly tells the story of Chris and Adriennes marriage.

Adding to the eclectic sound on NOCONA, is the work of renowned pedal steel guitarist, Greg Leisz (Emmylou Harris, Beck, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton), a friend of Annies. When I played the material for him, he was excited and I was overjoyed that he was willing to share his genius, she says.

NOCONA is a collection of songs that will appeal to any taste. Ranging from Whites Of Your Eyes, an evocative panoramic track reminiscent of the higher energy moments of Calexico or Canadian alt country pioneers, The Sadies, but with a strong nod to the same western and surf influences. Train Song, a contemplative chilling track echoing some of the English folk melodic sensibility of a Bert Janch but with a contemporary hard alt-americana rock feel. Hated, a devil may care pop song recalling some of the best pop sensibilities of CCR but with a contemporary Nashville West twist. My Oh My, a modern plains cowboy road song rave-up with several unexpected turns. Brimstone, the first single and homage to the great tradition, where the crossroads between Americana blues, country, folk and pop, intersect.

NOCONA will be released this summer and the band will continue touring in support of the album. They will be providing listeners with teaser tracks on Soundcloud and Facebook.