Camp Revival

I deserve a bone-breaking slap on the wrist. A band, that is less than 200 miles from my home, have been written up ad nauseam by my local alternative weekly and have created a sound so strong it could cause an earth quake have evaded me for three years. Despite all of my missed opportunities to discover Breakfast Mountain, I’m glad I finally stumbled across them sifting through the bowels of Myspace.

The aspect of Breakfast Mountain’s music that I most appreciate is their use of beats. They don’t over complicate them, and deliver their rhythm in a way that allows you to feel the song and soak in the heavy synth. They keep their songs fresh and allow all of their instruments room to air out. Breakfast Mountain has made their entire first LP “HOOOODED *PLUS” available to download for free; that was nice of them.

‘J Hollerday’

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‘DUNN (NOT DONE)’

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‘Log Jamm 2′

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Road trips, electronics, things that require foresight, are all things that consistently abide by Murphy’s Law. Anticipating a recording with Rainbow Bridge in Olympia, Washington on February 21, 2010, it was assumed that “something would go wrong.” But for some reason, the adage fell apart with Rainbow Bridge. The entire day resonated with a “just right” tone. Front-and-center parking for hearty burritos with a side of exclusively for Sunday mornings conversation. February weather that was anything but February. The unyielding hospitality of Rainbow Bridge and the delightful setting of their backyard patio. Equipment malfunctions that ultimately enhanced the recordings. High fives and even friendship bracelets. The enveloping warmth of unexpected sunshine and captivating songs Rainbow Bridge shared with in the quiet Olympia neighborhood. Much like Rainbow Bridge’s approach to their music, the day was comprised of simple things, but good things. And when added all together, the feeling is wholly satisfying: like sinking into a a big comfy couch after a good meal.

The journey home continued as such, the setting sun bringing out the shadows of fir trees and casting a glow on the Cascade mountains. And as weariness set in after the long day, it was unavoidable to start humming Rainbow Bridge’s anthemic “Big Wave Rider.”

Apparently, Murphy’s Law doesn’t hold with Rainbow Bridge. Their music and good graces feel like a first-try swish on a crisp, new basketball net.

This was the second video we shot with Rainbow Bridge. Enjoy.

This was the third, and final video we shot with Rainbow Bridge.

On Friday, October 23rd, Camp Revival jumped into our motor coach and drove south into the night. Our destination? “The City that Works”: Portland, OR, home to our featured band: Family Channel. Family Channel is a group that was birthed by Brad Burns (guitar), Ethan Cates (percussion) and Trent Conant (behind the scenes) the very weekend we arrived; you’ll remember Ethan and Trent from the band Sharing Stone. Despite any labor pains caused by Family Channel’s quick entrance into this world there was little time for bed rest; we had a video to shoot!

After a night of liberal vodka drinking, black, black morning coffee, and an attempt at obtaining a Voodoo Donut (30 – 45 minutes is too long to wait for a donut) we headed to the Family Channel house to film. The setting was warm and inviting. The filming took place in the basement of the house where a projected video, created by Family Channel for the shoot, was streaming. Levels were tested, Hamm’s beers were cracked and the rest can be seen in the video above.

This week, Starfucker released their album art and track listing for their upcoming release: Jupiter. Jupiter is out May 5th.

01 Medicine
02 Boy Toy
03 Dance Face 2000
04 Bed-Stuy (Super Cop)
05 Biggie Smalls
06 Girls Just Want to Have Fun
07 Jupiter
08 Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second (Strategy Remix)
09 Boy Toy (Fake Drugs Remix) *
10 Medicine (Copy Remix) *

* Exclusive to the vinyl edition of the album.

I am really excited for this album. Starfucker is bringing the fun back into music without sacrificing quality. Starfucker’s music is better suited for summer, but I’ll take it in the spring. Here is one of the tracks that is on the upcoming release:

Medicine

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Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second is still my favorite song by the band. If you want to listen to that song, visit their MySpace page.