WOODBRAIN
Portland, Oregon, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
" Joe McMurrian is a great, gritty singer and a fluid fingerstyle guitarist with more than a little Delta influence in his sound - and the artistic moxie to make it sound fresh yet timeless"
Oregonian, A&E music review.
- Oregonian, A&E music review.
"...rich, muddy Delta bottom of blues sources, and onward past the limitations of the form to a more progressive sound, one open to original material as relevant as that of any contemporary, folk-based singer-songwriter.....last year’s studio effort, Rain of Days , and the brand-new Live at the White Eagle— are both truly rewarding listens. McMurrian’s shown impressive growth as a songwriter; his words have become as musical as his guitar playing is lyrical…Some very expansive moments here "
Willamette Week - Jeff Rosenber, Oregonian music review, Portland. 2007 - Oregonian
"Joe's guitar playing and singing have that rare quality of unearthly wisdom and understanding. Joe is joined by three of Portland's most innovative musicians and the connection is as immediate and natural as thunder and lightning"
DJ Brad Brenner Portland’s KMHD 89.1 FM - KMHD Radio
"McMurrian plays mystic, conjuring up the dark side of the heart armed only with a guitar and voice. You have to wonder if he didn't strike the same deal as Delta shaman RobertJohnson.
McMurrian, a California native with family roots in Texas and Oklahoma, gravitated to Portland after a lengthy tenure playing the West Coast and beyond. He's absorbed an edgy, insistent and hypnotic swirl of Delta- and hill-style blues that he picks with a one-step-closer-to-hell aggression.You'll hear Son House, Rev. Gary Davis and R.L. Burnside in there, for certain, plus some Coltrane and Dylan. But it's the depth of his songwriting and smoldering voice that set him apart. He reveals places that are emotionally unsettling and uneasy, plying a kind of restless poetry that he renders in vocals of smoke and ember..."
- Mercury, Portland OR
" To say Joe McMurrian is an artist is an understatement, his visual story telling put him on par with Tom Waits with the musical delivery of a seasoned professional. He delivers a rare power and personal perspective to his own brand of blues and roots based material straight from the delta and hills of acoustic America and beyond.." - Snake And Weasle Radio, L.A
#5 on the Japanese Tower Records Roots/Blues Charts
- Tower Records
Voted #2 Independent Blues Release by the International Blues Foundation of Memphis TN. - IBF
Discography
JMQ - Get that Dirt Live 2008
JMQ - Live at the White Eagle 2007
Joe McMurrian - Rain of Days 2006
Joe McMurrian - Dredge 2005
Photos
Bio
WOODBRAIN, is the new face of American Roots & Blues music and has just been signed to prominent Memphis based roots label Yellow Dog records. WOODBRAIN is fronted by finger style, blues slide wizard/singer/songwriter Joe McMurrian. Along side him is famed drummer Jimi Bott, David Lipkind on Harmonica and Jason Honl on Bass.
Progressive high energy music, Gut wrenching emotion and energy transitioning to graceful melodies, complex harmonies and challenging meter changes make for the most powerful Roots/Blues music around. The sound is rooted in Delta Blues and Old American Roots music, but it is weaved into a modern concept of improvisation and original story telling that owes as much to John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin as it does to Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, R.L Burnside or Bert Jansch. WOODBRAIN is the new face of American Roots & Blues music, one that crosses limiting musical boundaries, trivialities and fads and soars up within the infinity of sound.
Together as a collective, WOODBRAIN is massive machine of sound, a machine that surges through the earth and elevates the forms of traditional American music while also redefining the scope of the road ahead. Imagine If Robert Johnson had heard Hendrix and had hooked up with Jack Bruce, John bohnam and Little Walter, mix in contemporary song writing and one of a kind musical performances and you have an amazing band.
As a solo artist, McMurrian released his debut, "Rain of Days", which was voted the #2 best independent blues release of 2006 by the International Blues Foundation of Memphis as well as reaching the #5 slot on Japan's Tower Records chart.
Band -
WOODBRAIN's drummer is non other than the legendary Jimi Bott also originally from the SF Bay Area. Formerly of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza &Mark Hummel, Jimi is one of the most recorded blues drummers in recent history appearing on an amazing number of more than 60 cds! Nine time BMA (Blues Music award) Nominee and his five time CBA Muddy Award Winner for Blues Drummer of the year he brings blazing drive yet percussive sensitivity to WOODBRAIN's unique original sound. In a current interview Jimi was quoted saying..
"This band is threatening to be THE MOST DYNAMIC BAND I will ever play with!"
Holding the bass chair is the original Q Head Jason Honl. Formely of ,Pieces & Big Mouth Bass and the only native Portlander in the group Jason is by far the most schooled musician in the band. While assembling mellifluous, flowing lines with the mastery of a seasoned Jazz elder he can also seemingly Channel Jack Bruce, Bob Glaub and Noel Redding simultaneously, never losing site of the given songs origin. In recent interview Jason said, his signature Shoeless stage presence is more than just for comfort but rather ...keeps me grounded in the relentless waves of improve that are crashing through my mind and across the stage!
Portland harmonica player David Lipkind is a St. Louis , Mo. born and bred third generation harp blower.Ê Lipkind is one of the most in-demand players in the area, and is known as a versatile,Ê musical, exciting player.Ê Lipkind has recorded with many Pacific Northwest artists and bands as a guest soloist, including rock icons the Supersuckers, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormans, folk singers David Rea and Darrin Craig (Jackstraw), indie rock heroes the Decemberists, Americana bands Spigot and Drunken Prayer, bluesman Mark Lemhouse and Hillstomp, among others. Lipkind was also a longtime member of legendary rock band I Can Lick any Son of a Bitch in the House.
Nominated for best new act by the Cascade Blues Association WOODBRAIN has been gaining massive momentum. After returning from their summer tour in the great state of Alaska WOODBRAIN took the Waterfront blues festival by surprise and by storm receiving standing ovations at both of their performances. They are currently getting ready for numerous mid west and region tours to promote the new Yellow Dog Records release.
Links
