The corridors that link Wyoming's grand landscapes are a fitting backdrop to the escapades of Jackson Hole band Screen Door Porch. A vibe that evokes open space, dramatic textures and Southern grit "lends an easy Western flair to their more prominent native influences of North Carolina and Kentucky, a combination that goes down as smoothly as top-shelf bourbon" (Austin Chronicle). Residing in the country's least populated state as a soulful Americana, Roots-Rock and Country-Blues band has its own set of demands and challenges but ultimately, the rewards of a Porch view are forged through introspective song.
The core duo - singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Seadar Rose and Aaron Davis - once again covered the spectrum of "acoustic grace and electric overdrive, passing a musical baton across the surface of sophomore gem The Fate & The Fruit" (The Alternate Root). The album delves into subjects of life's adversities and triumphs, taking chances and getting knocked down, yet decidedly resilient amongst the fray and "ranges from the slow, sultry seduction of 'Devil's Honey' to the intelligent roots-rock of 'Shift Work' and the cowboy funk grooves of 'Right Down To It'" (The Mad Mackeral).
The band's energetic stage show thrives in a space that houses colorable harmonies, award-winning songwriting, and a diverse bag of acoustic & electric instrumentation. Leaving little behind with the kitchen sink, Screen Door Porch performs either as a QUARTET (female/male vocals with 3-part harmony supported by acoustic/electric/slide guitars, banjo, mandolin, fretless bass, drums, Wyoming kazoogle, harmonica) or as a DUO (without drums/bass, add Samsonite suitcase kick drum).
The past year has been fruitful and inspiring. Opportunities to share concert bills with Americana darlings Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Steve Earle, The Band of Heathens, and Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers have elevated the stage. While getting spun at Americana stations coast-to-coast and across Europe, The Fate & The Fruit hovered at #21 on the Euro-Americana Chart and #29 on the Roots Music Report Roots-Rock Chart alongside Bonnie Raitt and Tom Waits. Then the album was voted #2 Album of 2012 by the Wyoming Public Radio (NPR) listening audience, garnering more votes than Grammy nominees The Alabama Shakes. The album earned good words from across the media spectrum, including No Depression, The Alternate Root, Rootstime, Pop Matters, The Deli National, The Mad Mackerel, and 8 of 10 stars at Americana UK, which had this to say:
"[Rose & Davis] swap lead vocals to suit the song and songwriter, a sort of Lennon/McCartney arrangement and get it right every time: heartfelt yes, earthy certainly, but never languid. 'Burnin' At Both Ends' and 'Shift Work' show both our heroes at their most gritty. The reality is that Seadar Rose and Aaron Davis go together like bacon and eggs. This is the sound of America, untamed and infinite.' ~Americana UK
The Fate & The Fruit is a follow up to 2010's debut LP, Screen Door Porch (2010), which was received with arms wide open and a ticket to ride. The album climbed to #16 on the Roots Music Report Folk Chart, and Maverick Magazine was the first publication among many to make the connection that "Rose's vocals have the gorgeous drawl of Lucinda Williams, while Davis sounds like Whiskeytown-era Ryan Adams." Both SDP albums were recognized in a combined seven "Best Albums of the Year" lists including American Roots UK Editor's Top 25, Tupelo Honey's Top 20 Americana Releases, and Twangville's Top 100.
Aiding in the perpetual growth of a grassroots fan base, these indie musicians have been fortunate to share concert and festival bills with Wilco, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle, Yonder Mountain String Band, James McMurtry, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, The Band of Heathens, Anders Osborne, Malcolm Holcombe, and Jalan Crossland, as well as appearances at South by Southwest, Americana Music Festival (backing Jim Avett), Grand Teton Music Festival, Bear Trap Summer Festival, Jackson Hole Music Festival, Sawtooth Music Festival, Magic City Blues Fest, Nowoodstock Fest, Donkey Creek Music Festival, Music on Main Victor, Soundcheck Festival, and Oyster Ridge Music Festival. ScreenDoorPorch.com
Hop onto the PORCH and be washed into the grain!
