Painted Hills

But the band that may have turned the most heads surprisingly was the one that opened the evening. Don't you love when that happens? The crowded venue was already packed with bespectacled dudes and their girlfriends as Painted Hills took the stage to play their first-ever show. The band's milestone curiously also served as their record release party. The gruff texture that mixes their soft-grunge roots to the very capable backing harmonic vocals of their female backup singers makes for quite the interesting pairing. The warm country-twinge that serves as the result could be an acquired taste for some, but it's always great to see three bands that make great music in completely different ways playing shows together. Even though they were only releasing their record, Magnolia, this night, they weren't content there. They still played two "new new" songs for us, their Uncle Jesse look-a-like singer confessed.

Painted Hills will be touring a lot this year, as will Grand Hallway and certainly, Her Marseilles. We can only hope this is the new style, and that this sets the tone for the new year. Packed venues, three great bands, each better than the last, five dollar beers, (what a steal!) and most importantly, support for the local music scene. Supporting local music now is as important as ever. Last year is over. It's time to get real again. It's time to hear music again. Let's all listen. - Seattle Concert Examiner

On Thursday I arrived at Neumos just as the first band was starting and I was immediately riveted. Painted Hills was marking the release of their first four song EP on only their second night out since they formed in October with an opening spot at Neumos, two feats most local bands (including my own) usually have to wait a bit longer than six months from their inception for. The weight of the situation wasn’t lost on the band who powered through their new EP, titled Magnolia, in fine fashion to start, impressing the hell out of this jaded self-important ear.

Maybe sensing the moment, the band incorporates a pedal steel and piano (or organ) as the primary accompaniment to lead singer Jonathan Salzman’s earthy singing on the EP, forging a a clean western pop sound, part alt-country, part expansive modern American rock. The band moved away from the pedal steel for the last couple of songs, boldly ending on a 7 minute guitar solo jam by the pedal steel player. This is definitely a band to watch. - Sound on the Sound

On Thursday I arrived at Neumos just as the first band was starting and I was immediately riveted. Painted Hills was marking the release of their first four song EP on only their second night out since they formed in October with an opening spot at Neumos, two feats most local bands (including my own) usually have to wait a bit longer than six months from their inception for. The weight of the situation wasn’t lost on the band who powered through their new EP, titled Magnolia, in fine fashion to start, impressing the hell out of this jaded self-important ear.

Maybe sensing the moment, the band incorporates a pedal steel and piano (or organ) as the primary accompaniment to lead singer Jonathan Salzman’s earthy singing on the EP, forging a a clean western pop sound, part alt-country, part expansive modern American rock. The band moved away from the pedal steel for the last couple of songs, boldly ending on a 7 minute guitar solo jam by the pedal steel player. This is definitely a band to watch. - Sound on the Sound