Coho 'Things Change' album

What is it with the Northwest? That area of the country is like a breeding ground for indie rock. Some might say bands emerging from this scene are redundant, or mass-produced, or acutely derivative (which doesn’t have to be a bad thing), but overall the music is good. And once in a blue moon among the good lemmings, you'll find musicians who are holding to the acquired Northwest aesthetic, but doing it in their very own way. When this happens, people pay attention.

Now let's set the scene.

Its late fall of 2005 in Seattle. The foliation suggests the changing of seasons, and change is also looming for long-time friends Jeremy McDermott (vox, guitars) and Mike Lane (beats). On a cold day in November, both suffer the death of their best friend and band mate, Todd Kennemer. The three made up the band, Midnight Triton, and had collectively been making music since 1997.

The news was devastating and life-changing, and change breeds change. With Todd's passing, the two put Midnight Triton to rest, and gave life to a new project. Soliciting the help of dear friend, Ryan Fitts (bass), the new formation set out to create the music they'd be dreaming of - music with a heavy focus on the rhythm section, funky bass lines, soft vocals, very large guitar sounds and even larger beats.

They called this new project Coho.

Shortly after deciding on a name, they decided to add a fourth member, Todd’s cousin, Brent Owen. Brent was brought into the Coho fold in the wake of his cousin’s death. With both a personal connection to the band, and an ability to produce both beauty and chaos on guitar, he fit right in.

Together, in one form or another, the members of Coho havw played in Being With, Airport Cathedral, Jakarta, and Lujo alumni, Speed Not Steel. In addition to sharing a stage, these boys also share a feeling of freedom in the music they are making. Their influences are eclectic, from Dave Bazaan to The Notwist, The Flaming Lips to Neurosis. And they've studied up on their hip hop as well, finding as much in common with the Wu Tang Clan and Outkast as they do with Mogwai and Radiohead.

Their new record will be out on Lujo on November 14th, and is a blend of these influences. Think a slightly subdued Supergrass meets the early, raw emotion of Sunny Day Real Estate. Well, you'll just have to hear it. Coho's music is always down-to-earth; mellow at times, and wildly confrontational at other times, all the while maintaining a unique pop appeal. This delicate balance suggests the bands’ artistic maturity, as do the lyrics which are smart and soulful. And McDermott's voice? Let's just say it doesn't disappoint.

Pay attention lemmings.

The Northwest has met it's new standard in the infectious beats and guitar-driven sounds of Coho. Listen for yourself.

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Tracklisting

Coho - Things Change