Judah's Gone the debut from Berkeley's Oklahoman transplant M. Lockwood Porter covers a lot of ground in eleven songs from folk to rock and roll, with a touch of classic country the end result is all Americana, with an old soul’s storytelling ability this youngman is wise beyond his years.
Download the title track and stream the ablum below>
In the spring of 2011, M. Lockwood Porter first began recording his own songs with the help of bandmate Peter Labberton. What began as an off-the-cuff recording exercise evolved into a two-year project that resulted in the creation of an 11-song debut album, Judah’s Gone (Out July 22th 2013). These garage sessions eventually resulted in a heavy-hitting full-length that boasts a variety of country, folk, and rock influences while maintaining a coherent vision – one that balances a sometimes-playful optimism with a pale overarching sadness. Check out this in-depth interview Michelle Evans at Ninebullets did.
Biography
Although M. Lockwood Porter grew up on a 30-acre farm in northeastern Oklahoma, he didn’t feel the pull of country and folk music until he left home to attend college at Yale University. Homesick and band-less, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist and veteran of the Tulsa punk and hardcore scenes found comfort and inspiration in artists like Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, and Townes Van Zandt – whose records not only served as reminders of home, but also as makeshift instruction manuals on songwriting. While his college classmates spent their spare time at the library, bar, or frat house, Porter could usually be found in his dorm room, studying records and writing songs.
After relocating to Oakland, California, Porter spent much of his early twenties playing a backing role in other bands while continuing to write. In the spring of 2011, he first began recording his own songs with the help of bandmate and audio engineer Peter Labberton. What began as an off-the-cuff recording session evolved into a two-year process resulting in the creation of a 12-song album, Judah’s Gone.
Recorded on a shoestring budget in basements, garages, and living rooms, with Porter producing and playing nearly every instrument, Judah’s Gone is a testament to the mature, authentic voice of a promising young artist. The 12 songs on Judah’s Gone synthesize a variety of country, folk, and rock influences while maintaining a coherent vision – one that balances a sometimes-playful optimism with an overarching melancholy. As Porter sings about topics as diverse as the Trojan War (“Menelaus”) or the death of an ex-bandmate (“Stephen”) his voice remains consistent – matter-of-fact, clear-eyed, and poetic, with traces of humor and wistfulness.
M. Lockwood Porter plans to self-release Judah’s Gone in late spring 2013, and tour for the remainder of the year. Check mlockwoodporter.com in the coming months for updates.
Dark with a whimsical streak, M. Lockwood Porter muses of hope lost, found, and forgotten. Somewhere between Americana and indie rock, M. Lockwood Porter has a serious case of bittersweet melancholia reminiscent of Elliott Smith or a young Jeff Tweedy. That M. was raised on a farm in Oklahoma isn’t surprising, given the hint of twang in his voice. That he studied poetry in college isn’t, either, once you study his contemplative, eloquent lyrics.
Show Dates:
Sept. 8, 2013
Sweetwater Music Hall
Mill Valley, CA
(Solo brunch show)
Sept. 14, 2013
Awaken Cafe
Oakland, CA
Sept. 20, 2013
Fox and Goose Pub
Sacramento, CA
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