The Defog

Looking out into the crowd at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, lead singer Chuck of The Defog said they usually don’t play in front of such a large crowd.

They shouldn’t have that problem for much longer.


Photo courtesy of ShoreAlternative.comThe Defog perform at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on Oct. 13.The decades-old indie band from Pennsauken is a collage of sounds and emotion. They jokingly refer to themselves as a band lacking any cohesion, but that is one of their best aspects. The songs range from alternative, to pop rock, then to synth before deftly sliding into low-fi.

Last Tuesday at Asbury Park’s Wonder Bar, the four-piece stood out among the rest with their scope and sound. They may say they lack cohesion, but with sometimes soft, sometimes sharp -- but always structured -- melodies, the Defog could easily be pegged as heirs to the Shins for indie-rock sweethearts.


The distorted guitar opening into the rushing piano in “Say What You Wanted to Say,” was followed by rows of the crowd nodding their heads in approval. The catchy melody “Say what you wanted to say, ask and you’ll get it with me; and you are mad at me?” was actually hummed outside the club following the show by a group of young 20-year olds.

Playing songs from older demos to their newer albums “Ebb and Flow” and “Light Bright,” the band’s maturity over the years could be tracked. A stand out, “Ashes and Leaves,” could be mistaken for a Grizzly Bear track, a multifarious tune with heavy distortion, toe-tapping percussion, and dreamy pianos.

A hint of what it must be like for a band that has been playing for 11 some odd years, the song takes on the struggles of the everyday banality the talented group must endure as they wait to break out. “Tales of land and sea; Wishing across the way, afraid to leave; Roots over-watered from the flood of a stream; Gentle ambitions pulling apart from the seams; Sick of the push at an uneven pace; At the end of the week I’m striving to find my way.”

What is most impressive about the band is that they give away everything for free. Outside of applause after their songs, the largest noise from the crowd came when they announced their full length albums can be downloaded for free online, or could be picked up at the show – for free.

Again, giving away their work for free is something this talented, unique band may not have to do for much longer.

Every Tuesday, Wonder Bar features local bands and artists. The shows are put on by Shore Alternative, a website dedicated to exposing new and local artists, and spotlighting the bursting music scene at the Jersey Shore. - The Star Ledger - Mike Rispoli

Looking out into the crowd at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, lead singer Chuck of The Defog said they usually don’t play in front of such a large crowd.

They shouldn’t have that problem for much longer.


Photo courtesy of ShoreAlternative.comThe Defog perform at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on Oct. 13.The decades-old indie band from Pennsauken is a collage of sounds and emotion. They jokingly refer to themselves as a band lacking any cohesion, but that is one of their best aspects. The songs range from alternative, to pop rock, then to synth before deftly sliding into low-fi.

Last Tuesday at Asbury Park’s Wonder Bar, the four-piece stood out among the rest with their scope and sound. They may say they lack cohesion, but with sometimes soft, sometimes sharp -- but always structured -- melodies, the Defog could easily be pegged as heirs to the Shins for indie-rock sweethearts.


The distorted guitar opening into the rushing piano in “Say What You Wanted to Say,” was followed by rows of the crowd nodding their heads in approval. The catchy melody “Say what you wanted to say, ask and you’ll get it with me; and you are mad at me?” was actually hummed outside the club following the show by a group of young 20-year olds.

Playing songs from older demos to their newer albums “Ebb and Flow” and “Light Bright,” the band’s maturity over the years could be tracked. A stand out, “Ashes and Leaves,” could be mistaken for a Grizzly Bear track, a multifarious tune with heavy distortion, toe-tapping percussion, and dreamy pianos.

A hint of what it must be like for a band that has been playing for 11 some odd years, the song takes on the struggles of the everyday banality the talented group must endure as they wait to break out. “Tales of land and sea; Wishing across the way, afraid to leave; Roots over-watered from the flood of a stream; Gentle ambitions pulling apart from the seams; Sick of the push at an uneven pace; At the end of the week I’m striving to find my way.”

What is most impressive about the band is that they give away everything for free. Outside of applause after their songs, the largest noise from the crowd came when they announced their full length albums can be downloaded for free online, or could be picked up at the show – for free.

Again, giving away their work for free is something this talented, unique band may not have to do for much longer.

Every Tuesday, Wonder Bar features local bands and artists. The shows are put on by Shore Alternative, a website dedicated to exposing new and local artists, and spotlighting the bursting music scene at the Jersey Shore. - The Star Ledger - Mike Rispoli

The Defog could make a bad record. But it will still be worth, if nothing else, a solid praise for its uniqueness, for this band from Philadelphia sounds like no one else. The group’s style of blending quirky keyboard sounds – part The Doors, part The Charlatans UK, and part Stereolab – with elegantly arranged and sincerely performed folk music is like no one else’s. Add to it the very distinctive vocals of the very fervid lead vocalist Charles Stieg, and the band’s signature style is incomparable to anyone else.

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The Shadow Companion, the band charts the same course as their brilliant 2006 release Ebb And Flow. The Shadow Companion is true to The Defog’s nature in full form, with its meticulously clean sound, which is just what is required to portray the band’s rich and elaborate sound in its full glory.

The Shadow Companion, however, is a darker effort by the band. But “dark” to The Defog doesn’t apply the same way as it might apply to any other band; it is strictly relative. Apart from the divinely charming “Clouds On Fire” and the follow up “Kaleidoscopes,” none of the other tracks on The Shadow Companion have the innocently charming sound, which has been an integral part of the facet of the band’s personality that is rooted in folk music. As a result, this album isn’t as deeply rooted in acoustic music. Electronics and all sorts of keyboard sounds make up the bulk of the disc’s identity.

The “dark and disturbed” mood in The Defog’s vocabulary translates to the melancholic, of which there is plenty on The Shadow Companion. The almost eight minute long “Panic Attack” with a din of city sounds polluting the music, which constantly goes through tempo changes is a song where the melancholia actually borders on distress, which in true “The Defog” style, still sounds cordial.

The album’s moody sound has a lot to do with its predominant electronic sound, which is minimalistic. There are no doubt moments of luxuriance, but the keyboards mostly are robotic and sparse. But this doesn’t compromise band’s soulfulness a wee bit. The result, as evident on the album’s most electronic cuts “Drawing Pictures” and “Thistle Stitched,” is a touching hybrid of sadness and beauty. And the band delivers this somber concoction of moods as if it was rightfully ordained by the powers above.

Rating: A - Vish Iyer

Defog
"Ebb And Flow"
(Self-Released 2006) Defog - Ebb And Flow

Remember the Peanuts gang -- Charlie Brown, his dog Snoopy, and their good buddy Woodstock. Often while listening to The Defog's "Ebb And Flow," it brought to mind Snoopy's piano virtuoso friend Schroeder. No, it is not the sounds of Beethoven and Wagner but the loose, jazz inspired piano, energetic notes running quickly after one another, which brought the character to mind. It is that piano sound, along with the band dabbling in electronics, that makes The Defog's "Ebb And Flow" a versatile and varied album.

The twinkling melody of "Ashes And Leaves" sets the tone early on before that jazz influenced sound is combined with soft indie guitars on "Automation." Swirling psychedelics on "Challenger Deep" offer a calming effect with a gentler approach that continues on "Oscillator: Pheromones," a gentle atmospheric song that floats effortlessly for minutes before vocals step in only to repeat "pheromones." Guitar resonates softly over steady instrumentation on the aptly titled "Country Song," a memorable track from "Ebb And Flow."

While The Defog continually contrasts their sound throughout "Ebb And Flow," they always remain confident and self-assured. Never does it seem unnatural as the band float from one light melody to the next, sometimes accompanied by piano or by synths. The result is an overall sound that is familiar and a little catchy without being too insistent or forceful. The Defog do just as they promise and follow the natural tide with "Ebb And Flow." - Plug In Music

The Defog has the soul of a struggling folk musician from New York but the heart of a prog-rock band from a couple decades ago, and are either too sophisticated to be the former or too sane to fit the latter type. The second full-length release from this quartet from Philadelphia, Ebb And Flow is a sensitive singer-songwriter’s most vivid imaginations come true.

The Defog has a lo-fi indie sound dominated by kitschy sixties-styled keyboards that is used to perfection on this record. “The Accidents” is minimal yet very futuristic and infectiously rhythmic in a Radiohead sort of a way, where the keyboard sounds are toy-like and metallic. Whereas “Challenger Deep” and “Oscillator: Pheromones” have a lush, pastoral sound and the keyboard is rich in a sixties psychedelic way. On “Ashes And Leaves,” the keyboard provides a lo-fi indie sound, but (during the keyboard solo) on “Automation,” it rises to stadium-rock level that shamelessly shows off its pomposity, though its nonetheless captivating.

Singer Charles Stieg has the yearning that every folk singer aspires for, and sings like an angel. His voice strikes the fine balance between being vulnerable and not getting too puppy-faced. He might be a pretty boy with an acoustic guitar in his hands, but he has the dignity of a grunge singer. A quick listen to “Solo Cell (Battery),” and Stieg will melt your heart like hot chocolate on a frigid winter day – the beauty is not just the warmth in his vocals, but also the feeling of comfort it brings.

As much as The Defog’s sound is influenced by the keyboards, it is equally inspired by the earthiness of folk music. And with a voice like Stieg’s, this inspiration has enough requisites to conjure divine folk tunes. The two chief cuts on the record, “Country Song” and “A Blink Remembered,” are the folkiest the band could get. The dreamy vocals, haunting guitars, and the sheer simplicity of these numbers show that this band has a range, and as the elegance of these numbers shows, an ear for perfection, too.

The Defog is every bit as refreshing as a new act full of promise can be. It has the “awe factor” that an occasional new-comer would bring to the music world with a sound that’s truly original and completely mind-blowing. Ebb And Flow might be just a self-release by an unknown act in search of a record deal, but it sure is an indie classic. - The Daily Vault

The Defog’s Impressive Ebb and Flow

Posted by Mike Mineo on 10/25/07 • Categorized as Features

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As important as a debut album is, it usually inherits expectations that are either nonexistent or minimal at best. The artist is inexperienced, giddy, and often in awe of their surroundings. If a debut comes off in any way as lacking, confident fans often resort to a sense of optimism in that their next release will garner the proper result: a release boasting with newly acquired experience in the songwriting, production, and stylistic aspects of the respected music. The early ’90s saw an abundance of these albums. Nirvana followed up their debut with the classic Nevermind, Radiohead broke out with The Bends, and the Smashing Pumpkins inspired many alternative hopefuls with Siamese Dream. While the preceding debuts from these three artists were not by any means embarrassing, the quality of the following release was inarguably more rewarding. The albums were also the first full-fledged displays of these artists’ stylistic abilities. It turned out to be the turning point in their careers, eventually distinguishing them as a handful of the most important artists of the ’90s. Though we sit here over 10 years later with stylistic fads changing hourly, the role of a sophomore album remains just as, if not more than, important as the follow-ups of the past. Musicians always have something to prove. It is a fair but gruesome game where many impatient fans give up on artists after just one album. The pressure gets to some, but others stand their ground strongly.

No one needs to tell The Defog about the importance of their second full-length album, Ebb and Flow. They state proudly that this “fuel for a major launch”, with the intention to “gain as many listeners as possible throughout the world”. Hefty ambitions, sure. But most importantly, they are being entirely realistic. After listening a few times to the album, it is hard to blame the Philly four-piece for making such grandiose statements. Wearing their three prime (and common) influences of Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, and The Flaming Lips proudly on their sleeves, The Defog should not have a difficult time finding new fans as they tackle new cities, coasts, and countries. Their sound is a refined mixture of mid-’90s alternative and bouncy power-pop, both calling on elements of instant infectiousness to create a sound that remains thoroughly memorable. Up until now, they remain a small but upcoming force on the east coast. Chugging along the coast from their native Philadelphia to New York City and beyond, audiences have warmed up to them wherever they have traveled with a live show that is reportedly invigorating and inspiring. Since their formation in 1999, The Defog has released a debut album, Dying in Crosswalks, in 2002 along with a handful of short EPs. The releases were good enough to reward the four-piece the placement as a finalist in Billboard’s “Independent Music World Series” and a spot in several MTV television shows, with an early version of “Downstream” appearing on both The Real World and Meet The Barkers.

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If Ebb and Flow receives as much exposure as it deserves, their aforementioned MTV spots are going to seem like a small-time gig compared to the future ones ahead. Though the band has always shown shades of potential, Ebb and Flow is a dramatic step up from their past efforts. Jeffrey Hurtado is a vital contributor to the album, adding in Wurlitzer, Moog, and a variety of synths to nearly every track. One of the standouts on Ebb and Flow, “Challenger Deep”, sees Hurtado’s immediate involvement in relaying a variety of woozy synth lines. The track eventually transcends from an atmospheric synth-layered track into a more expansive version of itself. In the chorus, Charles Stieg increases his vocal intensity as several rhythmic and electric instruments become more involved. While the spacey chorus remains a thing of magnificence, the most beautiful thing about the song is the atmosphere it conveys throughout its entire duration. Like a mature Flaming Lips track, it demonstrates The Defog’s ability to expose futuristic and technological soundscapes, utilizing a correlation of synths and guitars. Hurtado establishes the melody’s soothing flow, with Charles Stieg’s dynamic vocals taking course shortly thereafter. On tracks like “The Accidents” and “Country Song”, Hurtado once again takes prominent control of the leading melody. The latter is pure electro-pop, blending in themes of late-night mortality with reverbed vocals creating a mysterious form of sensibility. Both are slightly reminiscent of The Flaming Lips and, dare I say it, Radiohead.

Comparing a new band to Radiohead is often useless, I know. No one really takes it seriously and for good reason too. There are no bands really quite like Radiohead; they are in a league of their own. But listening to several of the tracks on Ebb and Flow, it leaves room for some rare comparisons to be made. While a few of their snarly power-pop odes in the vein of “Excuses and Complaints” will make such comparisons irrelevant, there are several elements in the more complex tracks like “Challenger Deep” and “Country Song” that make it justifiable. All those in doubt should take the album for a spin; “Challenger Deep” contains immediate likenesses in Stieg’s outstanding vocals. He has the ability to alternate between pitches on a whim, successfully doing so in collaboration with the instrumental tempo and dramatic appeal. “A Blink Remembered” is a largely acoustic track that, while simplistic, contains a gleeful melody that is one of the finest on an album full of many. Even the catchy “Excuses and Complaints” sees fleeting diversity in various sections, with an enjoyable punk-esque chorus later supplemented by an impressive showcasing of bouncy keyboards. The last several minutes of the song closes out the album spectacularly, being an impressive display of the band’s cumulative talents. Ebb and Flow is available now and has been since last year. With that in mind, it is incredibly surprising to me how this band’s reputation is not bigger. With an album like Ebb and Flow, the size of it should equal their hefty, though proficiently executed, ambitions. - Obscure Sound

5/5 Stars - " The Defog is not afraid to experiment while creating such well-structured soundscapes.... Vocalist Charles Stieg has such a warm delivery that draws listeners in and welcomes them to his world." - Origivations Magazine

…well-balanced production, superlative musicianship and an appreciation for keeping things short ensures that every note is perfectly deployed. Check out 'Sounds from the Stars' if you want to hear something clever, passionate and decidedly different." - overplay.com

“I hear a lot of music at Taxi, but most of it doesn’t come anywhere near to sounding as interesting or exciting as this track (cornerstores) does.... What I love most of all is how unique and original the band sounds…" - Ric Menck - Taxi

A Five-Song EP from The Defog, a Philly area band, Shows them to be a generator of bright, Shins-y pop-rock ("downstream") and fronted by a lead vocalist (Charles Stieg) who's got an appealing tone. "Asterisk" is vaguely Strokes-like due to its poppy momentum and vocal filter effect, while "Calibrated," with its moog, wulritzer and guitar shimmer, reminds us of Doves. The catchy tunes, tight musicianship and spirited performances deserve a listen. 7.2 out of 10 - Music Connection Magazine

The Defog – Dying in Crosswalks

This debut collection of ten tracks from Philadelphia-based quintet The Defog is a gorgeous amalgamation of exotic vocal melodies and harmonies, surreal yet clever lyrics, and first-rate musicianship. There is a definite 70’s retro feel to the songs that comprise Dying in Crosswalks, which is largely due to the prevalent Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer parts provided by keyboardist Jeff Hurtado. There is a somewhat spacey, psychedelic feel to many of the tunes along with a prevalent lounge jazz and elevator music feel that makes for an interesting combination when taken in context. The band’s sense of melody really shines through in songs like “Routine,” which is one of the highlights of the album. The band’s inventive songwriting and unique sound should be commended, especially in a scene dominated by hard rock bands. Their sound is fresh and exciting, and their material is well-written. I wish they were from the Harrisburg area so I could check out their live show, because, believe it or not, it’s even better than the record! This is definitely one band that any music aficionado should check out. www.thedefog.com -Gregious-
- Gregious