Music
Press
“Early tip for 2009 are Nashville based foursome The Deep Vibration, so named by Lou Reed, when they approached him after a show last year. They look like the beardy backwoods sons of The Band, but sound like Neil Young propping up the bar with Richmond Fontaine. Five-track EP “Veracruz” is a weather bitten beauty, Matt Campbell’s wobbly voice like Neil in full prairie mode on “Third Day of July”, messed up by distorted guitar. Guests include Spooner Oldham, pedal steel veteran Al Perkins and Gillian Welch, who adds vocals to standout “Tennessee Rose” ****. - UNCUT
"Let no one claim that these Nashville roots-rockers lack energy or elasticity. Lead man Matt Campbell caterwauls like his bolo tie is on fire half the time, then chokes up and trembles through the sort of balladry truest when written in Music City. Board work from former Neil Young attendants and vocal treatment from Gillian Welch lily-gild a lineage well paid forward on this debut." - Paste Magazine
"Like My Morning Jacket before them, the Deep Vibration out of Nashville, Tennessee, have lovingly strip-mined the music of country-rock pioneers such as the Flying Burrito Brothers and the Band and succeeded in sculpting a sound that’s as fresh as it is familiar. The quartet’s excellent five-track debut EP Veracruz infuses their clutch of world-weary tales about barbed romance and cheatin’ hearts with bursts of Memphis horns ("Thanks to You"), explosive drum runs, ‘60s girl-group percussion ("Mississippi Women") and dueling guitars, while Matt Campbell’s soulful country vocals—think two parts Neil Young to one part Gram Parsons—lassos the numbers in an anguished rootsy warmth. Christened by Lou Reed, and with Gillian Welch singing the boys’ praises (she provides spectral harmony vocals to the outstanding bittersweet story-song “Tennessee Rose"), the Deep Vibration have surely been sprinkled with country-rock fairy dust. Watch this space. 8 out of 10" - Pop Matters
"With so much there-or-thereabouts Americana jostling for your attention, this accomplished debut EP from the Nashville four-piece is blessed relief. The album showcases edgy vocals that reference the likes of Ryan Adams, while the guitars stomp tonefully all over country-blues-rock markers. This is certainly more class than cliche." - Guitarist (UK)
(excerpt)
“Over the course of Veracruz, Campbell’s quivering falsetto ricochets around emotions, choking up one moment, then getting the wind knocked out of him the next. A slew of influences creeps out of his pipes, be it Young, Springsteen, Jeff Tweedy or Thom Yorke, but they’re channeled with care and seemingly without consciousness. 4 out of 4 stars” - The Tennesean
Discography
Veracruz EP (2008)- Released 10/21 on Dualtone Records
Photos
Bio
The Deep Vibration is a rock and roll band playing American music. In a time when it might be more popular to play pitch perfected, pop or distanced, �hipper than thou� indie rock, their sound calls a listener back to a stark simplicity and authenticity. A lean and gritty four-piece, The Deep Vibration has surprised Nashville with their heartfelt explorations and maturity, earned from years of listening and learning from the classics.
Matt Campbell (vocals, guitar) and Jeremy Fetzer (guitar), the band�s founding members, began collaborating while attending college in Nashville. Their original vision�playing blues and rock music as explosively as possible�has been enhanced over time with explorations of wild and lonely folk tales and soul powered rave ups.
After shuffling through a handful of members, the band finally meshed with Adam Binder (whose bass has been heard backing bands in Nashville for years) and Luke Herbert (a drummer from Sydney, Australia who has studied with drumming greats Bernard Purdie and Joe Morello in New York). After signing to Dualtone Records, the band changed their name from �The Attack!� upon discovering that a 60�s British psych-outfit bore the same moniker. In searching for a new name, the group had to look no further than to their collective hero and indie pioneer Lou Reed for inspiration. The band approached Reed for some advice after his performance in Nashville on May 2, 2008. After a moment of thought, he christened them (in characteristic growl) "The Deep Vibration."
With an arsenal of Americana tinged rock songs, the band recorded live onto 8 track one-inch tape at Nashville�s Masterlink Studios for their first EP, Veracruz. At the helm were Niko Bolas (Neil Young, My Morning Jacket) and Rob Clark (Neil Young), who took care to faithfully capture The Deep Vibration�s naturally classic aesthetic. Matt Campbell�s eccentrically soulful vocals pierce and tremble over the band�s driving stomp led by Jeremy Fetzer, whose jolting guitar work in �Thanks To You� and �Oklahoma City Woman Blues� plays out like a thoughtful combination of Neil Young�s edginess and the quirky rock endeavors of Wilco�s Nels Cline. Binder and Herbert provide the combustive impact behind �Third Day of July� and a primitive elegance in �Mississippi Women.�
The EP is verdant with rich tones, driving rhythms, sly orchestrations and serves as the proper introduction to the band: loud, rock solid, and strangely spiritual. Appropriately skidding to a halt, Veracruz�s bookend gem �Tennessee Rose� features Gillian Welch�s graceful harmonies accompanying the tale of a sojourner whose mind lingers at home with his love. As stated in American Songwriter Magazine, �Tennessee Rose� is one of those songs that makes you stop what you're doing, and, like the great American songs, puts an original voice in a pair of very old shoes." The Deep Vibration are walking in those shoes of American musical tradition and taking them to strange, new places. They have it, that inarguable authenticity that accompanies music not made out of will or want, but whose creation and existence is simply necessary. To have it in such a city, at such a time, is no easy feat; leaving no doubt that soon The Deep Vibration will be felt everywhere.
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