The Bitter Roots

Each week, listeners determine the Top Ten Songs chart playlist based on which songs are streamed and downloaded the most from the previous week’s posts. - Indie Rock Cafe

The sound of the album, overall, is vintage indie alternative and recorded live in the studio to analog tape Here and there, they'll remind you of Surferosa (the album) and The Church, and in parts, you can pick up a definite liking for Seattle's pride and joy aka Kurt Cobain. Not too shabby. - Wally Wallstrom - Rock United

Good, fairly heavy guitars combine with smooth light vocals to create some very cheerful sounding rock music. There’s plenty of variation in terms of pace and power, so there’s a nice amount of diversity in the album which helps keep it interesting with repeated plays. - Ant May - Planet Mosh

A lot went into writing your favorite song, but how much do you really know about it? This week Jeff Stetson, vocalist of Seattle soul rock band The Bitter Roots, delves into the "hidden costs of war," recording in Ballard and blues drumming. - Joe Williams - Seattle Weekly

A lot went into writing your favorite song, but how much do you really know about it? This week Jeff Stetson, vocalist of Seattle soul rock band The Bitter Roots, delves into the "hidden costs of war," recording in Ballard and blues drumming. - Joe Williams - Seattle Weekly

Local Ballard band The Bitter Roots released their latest music video “More Pretty” last week. The video was shot in Ballard and is the latest single for the band that formed in our neighborhood in 2008. - Danielle Anthony-Goodwin - My Ballard Blog

Local Ballard band The Bitter Roots released their latest music video “More Pretty” last week. The video was shot in Ballard and is the latest single for the band that formed in our neighborhood in 2008. - Danielle Anthony-Goodwin - My Ballard Blog

The Bands That Rock playlist and profile series reviews rock bands, often DIY or under-the-radar, whose talents should not go unnoticed. Most of the bands in this series – as with many other of our playlist series – sent their music in for review. In fact, we receive close to, or more than, a hundred submissions a month. In the past, the Bands that Rock series has been popular with IRC readers, and this marks the fifth installment of this particular series, highlighting the bands Tsar, Dreamers, Eight Feet Deep, The Bitter Roots and The New Self Defense.

Seattle rock duo The Bitter Roots, formed in 2007, recently released a new album, Chiaroscuro that pays tribute to their musical heroes, and influences, including, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Carlos Santana, Bob Marley, Jane’s Addiction, U2, The Smiths, and The Cure, among others. The duo features Jeff Stetson and Ben Koostra. Their music has been heard on 50 radio stations from coast to coast and throughout Canada, Austrailia and The Netherlands. The duo only record live to analog tape, and make a point of stating that they do not use Auto Tune, Click Track, samples, programmed drum beats or employ other “short cuts” of modern recording. Combining elements of soul and rock, the duo focus on tight rhythms, driving beats and vocal harmonies. Stetson is the former lead singer of manSaveman, a fairly well-known Seattle band that were active in the early to mid 2000s. Stetson also played in the band Chiseler and Into the March. Koostra is a multi-instrumentalist and was the original drummer for the bands Ein Heit and Silkworm. - Indie Rock Cafe

The Bands That Rock playlist and profile series reviews rock bands, often DIY or under-the-radar, whose talents should not go unnoticed. Most of the bands in this series – as with many other of our playlist series – sent their music in for review. In fact, we receive close to, or more than, a hundred submissions a month. In the past, the Bands that Rock series has been popular with IRC readers, and this marks the fifth installment of this particular series, highlighting the bands Tsar, Dreamers, Eight Feet Deep, The Bitter Roots and The New Self Defense.

Seattle rock duo The Bitter Roots, formed in 2007, recently released a new album, Chiaroscuro that pays tribute to their musical heroes, and influences, including, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Carlos Santana, Bob Marley, Jane’s Addiction, U2, The Smiths, and The Cure, among others. The duo features Jeff Stetson and Ben Koostra. Their music has been heard on 50 radio stations from coast to coast and throughout Canada, Austrailia and The Netherlands. The duo only record live to analog tape, and make a point of stating that they do not use Auto Tune, Click Track, samples, programmed drum beats or employ other “short cuts” of modern recording. Combining elements of soul and rock, the duo focus on tight rhythms, driving beats and vocal harmonies. Stetson is the former lead singer of manSaveman, a fairly well-known Seattle band that were active in the early to mid 2000s. Stetson also played in the band Chiseler and Into the March. Koostra is a multi-instrumentalist and was the original drummer for the bands Ein Heit and Silkworm. - Indie Rock Cafe

When The Bitter Roots reach a high point, they really launch into the stratosphere. “Falling” glides on a descending acoustic arpeggio. The interplay between lead and backing vocals creates some excellent harmonies that gradually rise throughout the chorus. Due to the wonderfully low-key production, the entire song feels like it could have been played live in your living room. “Victim” acts as a heavy monster that explodes from a swampy intro and doesn’t look back. Guitars growl around Stetson’s darker-than-usual lyrics about someone turning themselves into a victim. It’s an aggressively awesome presence. - Consequence of Sound

A few months back, Stranger freelancer and regular nut job Travis Ritter asked Line Out readers what artists they thought were regularly overlooked by this paper's music department. The post got like 80,000 comments, and an overwhelming number of them mentioned the Bitter Roots. - Grant Brissey - The Stranger

A few months back, Stranger freelancer and regular nut job Travis Ritter asked Line Out readers what artists they thought were regularly overlooked by this paper's music department. The post got like 80,000 comments, and an overwhelming number of them mentioned the Bitter Roots. - Grant Brissey - The Stranger

Seattle musicians Jeff Stetson and Ben Koostra haven't lived in Missoula for over a decade, but there are obvious clues they're still tied here. For one thing, their band is called The Bitter Roots—a tribute to the Bitterroot Mountains - Missoula Independent

Ten tracks of soulful guitar driven rock music. "Warm With You", by far the best song on this album. - Freddy Celis - Roots Time Belgium

A self-release "Moral Hazard" a new second record of finest quality, jeff stetson and ben koostra have worked together for many years; they live in seattle. - supported by rooster. - Das Klienicum

In this current era of Pro Tools and drum machines, it almost feels like the simpler side of rock has become a forgotten relic. While some truly great music has been created through digital manipulation, the straightforward guitar, bass, and drum combination is more difficult to find in new bands. Luckily, The Bitter Roots are on the scene to make fans remember why classic rock is classic in the first place.

The music from the Seattle duo is best described as guitar-oriented rock with a touch of soul. Many of the songs fall on the lighter side, when compared to the more popular groups out of Seattle. However, that doesn’t mean the Roots can’t turn it up when desired. When it comes to the heavier material, Jeff Stetson’s shrill guitar playing sounds like a combination of R.E.M and U2, and this energy carries over to the slower tracks, as well. This instrumentation elevates Stetson’s singing, which focuses on greater harmonies that float over the steady drumming of Ben Koostra.

One of the best songs from the self-titled debut is “Fall of The Empire”. From the start, the track is very reminiscent of a more soulful Radiohead “High and Dry”. Stetson creates a strong melody with a clean sounding electric guitar over acoustic strumming. His vocals also act as part of the rhythm rather than flying over it. They accompany the backing acoustic guitar, rather than the electric lead. His lyrics about gambling with bad results is a not so subtle metaphor for the gambling America has done on the global level in the last decade.

While Stetson’s lyrics may sound overtly political in that example, his singing makes every song sound deeply personal to him. His subject matter ranges from free trade, to death and beyond. However, you never feel that he is overtly making a statement. It sounds more like a conversation he is having with each individual that’s listening.

Even though it may seem like an artist who doesn’t use digital tools isn’t a big deal, it’s The Bitter Roots level of dedication to the classic rock sound that’s unique. According to the band’s bio on their MySpace page, their music, “is recorded to analog tape without aid of digital editing or auto tuning. If it took 54 takes, it took 54 takes.” This extra piece of information makes the Roots craftsmanship all the more impressive. This isn’t to say digital methods are completely less authentic. It’s almost the difference between painting and graphic design. Both can lead to great works of art, but painting doesn’t have an undo button.

The Bitter Roots’ debut album is now available for purchase from the official web site. For a live perspective, check them out on October 15th, at the Skylark Cafe in Seattle, WA. - consequenceofsound.net

What you hear is what you get when it comes to The Bitter Roots’ self-titled 2009 release. In a world where artists rely on auto-tune and digital editing to create the perfect track, The Bitter Roots choose to record on to analog tape. According to their MySpace, “If it took 54 takes, it took 54 takes.”

The Bitter Roots’ music is their own unique blend of soulful vocals and guitar-driven rock. The smooth melodies lay effortlessly over drum lines that make it impossible to resist toe-tapping or head-bobbing along.

Lyrically, the album covers diverse and loaded topics, from censorship and personal freedoms to homosexuality, to the United States’ involvement in foreign affairs. Somehow, though, singer Jeff Stetson does not come across as preachy. In fact, there are often instrumental breaks in which it feels as though Stetson is merely waiting to hear what his listener has to say before he continues.

Fall of the Empire is the stand out song of the record, and would be considered their first ‘single’. A thinly veiled commentary on the United States’ political agenda, Fall of the Empire showcases The Bitter Roots’ tight harmonies, as well as Stetson’s guitar skills as it both opens and closes with an R.E.M.-reminiscent solo. Stetson’s voice does not overpower the music, but rather blends with Ben Koostra’s drum lines and his own acoustic guitar to create a full, textured sound.

The album as a whole flows well, one track moving easily in to the next, showing that Stetson and drummer Ben Koostra put serious thought into making a cohesive record, rather than just putting together a collection of songs. If you want a sampling of what they have to offer, Sweet China Baby, Fall of the Empire, and Lindsay are an excellent starting point.

The most compelling aspect of The Bitter Roots’ debut record is the raw, live sound. Listening to the album, it is easy to imagine yourself sitting in the back of a dimly-lit club, nodding along as you sip your Jack and Coke. Maybe they are not the band you came to hear, but they will definitely make you listen.

To learn more, or to listen: MySpace or check out their website. - Examiner.com

What you hear is what you get when it comes to The Bitter Roots’ self-titled 2009 release. In a world where artists rely on auto-tune and digital editing to create the perfect track, The Bitter Roots choose to record on to analog tape. According to their MySpace, “If it took 54 takes, it took 54 takes.”

The Bitter Roots’ music is their own unique blend of soulful vocals and guitar-driven rock. The smooth melodies lay effortlessly over drum lines that make it impossible to resist toe-tapping or head-bobbing along.

Lyrically, the album covers diverse and loaded topics, from censorship and personal freedoms to homosexuality, to the United States’ involvement in foreign affairs. Somehow, though, singer Jeff Stetson does not come across as preachy. In fact, there are often instrumental breaks in which it feels as though Stetson is merely waiting to hear what his listener has to say before he continues.

Fall of the Empire is the stand out song of the record, and would be considered their first ‘single’. A thinly veiled commentary on the United States’ political agenda, Fall of the Empire showcases The Bitter Roots’ tight harmonies, as well as Stetson’s guitar skills as it both opens and closes with an R.E.M.-reminiscent solo. Stetson’s voice does not overpower the music, but rather blends with Ben Koostra’s drum lines and his own acoustic guitar to create a full, textured sound.

The album as a whole flows well, one track moving easily in to the next, showing that Stetson and drummer Ben Koostra put serious thought into making a cohesive record, rather than just putting together a collection of songs. If you want a sampling of what they have to offer, Sweet China Baby, Fall of the Empire, and Lindsay are an excellent starting point.

The most compelling aspect of The Bitter Roots’ debut record is the raw, live sound. Listening to the album, it is easy to imagine yourself sitting in the back of a dimly-lit club, nodding along as you sip your Jack and Coke. Maybe they are not the band you came to hear, but they will definitely make you listen.

To learn more, or to listen: MySpace or check out their website. - Examiner.com

In a room full of chatter and the clanking of dishes, Jeff Stetson sits alone on a small stage. Unassuming in his jeans and short-sleeved tee, his smoky vocals command the attention of the room from the first line of his opening song ‘Separate Boxes’.

As he moves from song to song, Stetson throws in few narratives. Finishing a song about true love, he remarks, “From the up side, to the down side,” before launching in to a song of heartbreak and loss. Besides his introduction, it is the longest sentence he utters between songs all night.

The show has one distinct purpose: a preview of what is to come from the Bitter Roots this fall. The new material is more mainstream in subject matter, and more accessible to a wider audience. It is relatable, and could be a huge breakthrough for the two-man creative team (Stetson's musical partner-in-crime is Ben Koostra on drums).

Look forward to this fall, when the Bitter Roots are hoping the new record will be ready. If you can not wait that long, you can check out the full band, live on March 14th at The Comet Tavern.

You can also check out Jeff’s solo acoustic set at Blue Moon on April 11th.

For more information about the Bitter Roots’, and links to download the album, visit their website. - Examiner.com

Influenced by the music of Bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Smiths, The Cure, Cole Porter and Bob Marley, Stetson writes catchy classic sounding rock tunes recorded entirely analog that have that "live-on-tape" sound. Certainly some songs have hit potential - Freddy Celis - Roots Time Belgium

Influenced by the music of Bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Smiths, The Cure, Cole Porter and Bob Marley, Stetson writes catchy classic sounding rock tunes recorded entirely analog that have that "live-on-tape" sound. Certainly some songs have hit potential - Freddy Celis - Roots Time Belgium