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Live and Otherwise: The Strangelove of St Ranger

St Ranger's record release poster. Photo from their label, The Color Group.
St Ranger's record release poster. Photo from their label, The Color Group.

When asked to describe their music, what are the first words that come to mind for St Ranger manager (and member) Jeff Taylor?  ”Well… music for sure.”  Though his answer elicited much laughter from my end, his more-serious contribution was akin to the truth. Made up of members Jake Ashton, vocalist Bruce Kimura, guitarist/vocalist Andy Phipps, drummer Jakeob Ewell, and Taylor himself, “Melodic, harmonious, and upbeat” summarize his description of the beautiful concoctions the quintet creates.  Even when I first encountered the band in late 2010 as openers for Pepper Rabbit at the Rhythm Room, their eccentric blend of harmony was not to be taken lightly.  Drawing comparisons to artists such as Grizzly Bear, Beach House and The Love Language, who use layered harmonies to depict their intricate yet delicate stories, the group’s music is an indie-pop gem of the local scene. Formed in mid-2010, Taylor says that the initial goal of the band was to create a more vocal-centered music catalog. Developed from a more progressive, alt-based band, “the idea was to keep song structures interesting but to focus on vocal work by writing tons of harmonies to accompany the songs,” Taylor says. Interesting is definitely the key way to describe their brand-new release coming out later this week.

“Life Coach” is a collection of summer-infused melodies that were recorded at the end of the band’s three-week tour last August. Tracked over five days, the debut release is a concise blend of upbeat rhythms that have infectious pop sensibilities. The catchy mix of tunes is perfectly suited to the album’s title, as they soothe and engage the listener with unexpected, complex melodies. Building multiple-part harmonies into a song is no easy feat, but St Ranger makes the transition so smooth that what results is a terrific blend of music. Locally based with various members of the band currently attending ASU or alumni, the Tempe band has played with a wide variety of acts both national and regional. With several shows lined up already for this spring, including an album release tomorrow night at the Rhythm Room, the boys have a lot of exciting things coming up in the near future.

With their distinct sound and Beach Boys-esque harmonies, St Ranger is yet another example of the thriving local scene in the valley. With this first debut (and more tracks to be released in the future), St Ranger is definitely poised to create great things. For a chance to listen or download their music go to their Bandcamp. For more information about the group or it’s label, The Color Group, check out  strangerarizona.com.


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