Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
It doesn’t seem plausible that the Brokedown could be at a point where it could produce something as diverse and gorgeous and textured as its debut seven-track EP, The Dutchman’s Gold, after only a year of existence. This kind of evolution usually takes several generations, but the L.A.-based quartet has clearly sped up the process in its own musical petrie dish, from the Coldplay-covers-the-Church wonder of “Sparks” to the Matthew Sweet hoedown of “Dignity” and “New Year’s Day” to the Fountains-of-Wayne-disguised-as-the-Old-97s rafter rattling power of “Down in the Valley” and infectious brilliance of “My Love is True.” In fact, the only thing missing on The Dutchman’s Gold is the other half of the album. Get thee boys to the Brokedownery and make more of this at your earliest convenience. - HARP Magazine (January 2006)
[The Dutchman’s Gold] is filled with easy melodies and well-worn chord progressions in major keys, finding its character in enthusiasm and the thoughtful arrangements steeped in western country-rock. Tambourines and shakers accompany Rob McCorkindale’s dusty drumming, and Dan Iead and Ross Flournoy trade pedal steel licks with ringing chords. The production of The Dutchman’s Gold is a little rough and worn-in, giving the songs a grit and immediacy that only adds to their appeal…“Sparks” is the countriest the band gets, with a picked acoustic guitar reaching higher and higher to counterpoint Ross Flournoy’s dry, linear melodies. It’s when the chorus hits that the band reveals its true colors: there’s a double clap rhythm and big, bright electric chords. “My Love Is True” follows it up with New Pornographers-style corkscrew guitar riffs and a heavy dose of Elvis Costello influence. The band pulls it off flawlessly, even managing to throw in some pedal steel at the fringes. Teary-eyed ballad “New Year’s Day” is a well-crafted piece of alt-country, finishing its chorus with an inconclusive 7th chord that refuses to close the door on broken “promises you’ve made.” Not every moment of the disc’s 28 minutes is inspired…but the band’s work ethic remains respectably consistent. - Coke Machine Glow (October 10, 2005)
"The Dutchman's Gold is the first release for this Los Angeles-based group. Although The Brokedown doesn't have a record label, that doesn't stop it from constantly touring its cheery, indie-pop sounds around the country. The chorus of opening track "Down in the Valley" will explode your face off with its flat-out awesomeness." - Paste Magazine (January 2006)
Santa Barbara native Ross Flournoy moved to L.A. from Austin only a year ago, but the 26-year-old found a kindred spirit in Dan Iead — a guitarist who appreciates the subtleties of pedal steel. With drummer Rob McCorkindale and guitarist Will Canzoneri, they make up the Brokedown, a quartet whose music is not as downtrodden as its name suggests...Its self-released EP, "The Dutchman's Gold," displays an affection for the unaffected — wide-eyed, tuneful pop with just enough steel, organ and tambourine to make you think it came from the hills. The single "Down in the Valley" fits the model, chugging toward its sing-along chorus. - Los Angeles Times (August 18, 2005)
The Dutchman's Gold [is] a record of sparkling power pop and melancholic ballads, a record offering little more than a handful of songs, but songs that resemble classics after only a couple of spins. Opening with the great throb and jangle of "Down In The Valley" – where Elvis Costello meets SoCal jangle pop – the short but potent EP moves smoothly…to the big payoff track, "My Love Is True"... and what a payoff it is. The song starts inconspicuously enough, but things pick up the instant singer/songwriter Ross Flournoy begins to sing. But the chorus (and this song, like all great pop songs, lives and dies by the chorus) – when the chorus hits, with its descending guitar line and Flournoy's yearning falsetto – puts this song in rarified company. Then factor in the simple beauty of the lyric and this chorus will mainline its way into your heart…letting you know you're in pop heaven. This is what all pop songwriters should aspire for – this is near perfect… the sad/sweet lope of "New Years Day", with its achy pedal steel will surely find a place in listeners favorites of the year. But don't forget "Dignity", in which Flournoy takes his spectacular gift for pop songwriting and colors it blue (stirring up echoes of late 70's star Gerry Rafferty), and "Sparks”, with its delicate acoustic guitar and rousing chorus... There is no question that these guys, who are surprisingly still unsigned, play the music they love and love the music that inspires them, which I am guessing would be everything from the exuberance of The Monkees’ late 60's hits to Matthew Sweet's album, Girlfriend to current power pop master, The New Pornographers' Carl (A.C.) Newman. The Brokedown should be extremely proud of The Dutchman's Gold. - *Sixeyes (June 6, 2005)
One of the coolest things about this writing gig is receiving an unexpected package and finding that it contains – surprise, surprise – a great record. Such a treat came my way recently in the form of a seven song EP by The Brokedown. The Dutchman’s Gold is a stunning debut from the Los Angeles-based foursome, with echoes of straight pop, languid alt-country, and crunchy rock mingled together to create a compelling listen. “Down in the Valley” will stand as one of the great pop songs of ’05… Throughout, the arrangements are inventive, the dynamics are…well, dynamic, and the songs are catchy without ever being obvious. Stellar. - Amplifier Magazine (September/October 2005)
An excellent seven song [EP] that reminds us of…A.C. Newman’s Slow Wonder, the best of poppy Spoon, and both records from The New Pornographers, [while] also bringing a bit of that sunny California/Laurel Canyon feel into the mix. It's all heart-meltingly pretty with layers of cool melodies, stacked harmonies and pounding drums. (June 30, 2005) - Not Lame
A very talented California band, [The Brokedown] prove themselves worthy of the ‘power pop’ tag on their excellent debut EP, The Dutchman’s Gold. - Torontoist
It's really hard to pin down what is so great about [The Dutchman's Gold]...Maybe it's the really great harmonies, or perhaps it is the rock solid knack for melody...All of the above, and it's that great songs make great records, and this is one really great record. - PopBang
On their debut [The Dutchman's Gold], The Brokedown seem to have perfected jangly california summer rock. - Songs: Illinois
Discography
The Dutchman's Gold (EP) - released May 24, 2005
"Down in the Valley," "Sparks," "Dignity," and "My Love is True" have been played extensively on Indie 103.1 FM and KXLU 88.9 FM in Los Angeles, WRVU 91.1 FM in Nashville, KSCU 103.3 FM in Santa Clara, CA, WEVL FM90 in Memphis, TN, LittleRadio.com, Radio-Indie-Pop.com, and Popbang.com.
The Brokedown are currently mixing their debut LP.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Brokedown formed during the hot and dusty Los Angeles summer of 2004. After Ross Flournoy headed west from Austin, TX, where he’d spent two years writing three minute bursts of longing, regret and good, old-fashioned lechery. Once there, he reunited with Floridian Rob McCorkindale (drums) and united with his Connecticut Yankee of a kindred spirit, Dan Iead (lead guitar/pedal steel). Thus The Brokedown was born; soon after the band added Brian Whelan (keys/bass) to form its current core.
Since the band broke upon the ears of a grateful, and parched, city, they’ve been playing to packed houses across it – from Spaceland to the Viper Room to The Troubadour – sharing the stage with such artists as Evan Dando, the Gourds, the Rosebuds, Portastatic, Grand Champeen, and power-pop doctor, Jason Falkner (ex-Jellyfish, Air, Travis, Beck), who recently invited the band to open for him at a rare live appearance at Spaceland.
Combining elements of alt-pop, old-country, and straight-ahead rock and roll, The Brokedown create a catchy sound all their own – new, warm, and unpretentious; as Falkner kindly put it, they’re “not post-anything.” Their many new fans seem to agree, and, happily, some of those fans work in radio; the band has enjoyed considerable airplay on Los Angeles’ Indie 103.1 FM, Santa Clara’s KSCU 103.3 FM, Memphis’ WEVL 90FM, and numerous internet stations, including LittleRadio.com, where Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre) has played the band on his weekly show.
What do these DJs spin? Well, the band released its debut EP, The Dutchman’s Gold, on May 24, 2005; four weeks later, sales of the record hit #1 at L.A.’s Sea Level Records, where it stayed in the top 10 for five weeks; the single “Down in the Valley” was also one of the top 25 most played tracks on LittleRadio.com for the month of August. Rave reviews continue to appear in print, as The Brokedown was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times and Amplifier as well as the January 2006 issue of HARP (see attached Praise page for more, well, praise).
The band toured the East Coast in February 2005, playing to capacity crowds at New York’s Luna Lounge and Boston’s Middle East; The Brokedown look forward to touring the east coast and the south in November – opening at various points for Dios (Malos), Swords, and The Dreadful Yawns – in support of The Dutchman’s Gold.
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