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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2016)
OPINION 4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016 Titillating our musical taste buds in 2016 Courtesy of Jackson Boone and the Ocean Ghosts By GAIL HENRIKSON For The Daily Astorian A nyone who has ever been a partner in a long-term relationship, whether platonic, romantic or professional, understands that continual growth and involvement are required to keep the relationship alive and thriving. This same principle applies to life in an “arts town” such as Astoria. When you are surrounded by a plethora of painters, sculptors, jewelry -makers, writers, actors, crafters and musicians it is easy to grow complacent and comfortable with the artists and on Natural Changes ’ “Lovely media we already know. Low.” Lyrics such as “she cuts Over time, as with any type her hair in a temporal rift” offer a of relationship, you can often bit of whimsy and intrigue, as do begin to take this cornucopia of song titles such as “The Dolphin creativity for granted. Turned Into a Cat”. This stagnation is not o date, Jackson Boone and the necessarily a case of familiarity Ocean Ghosts have released breeding contempt, but rather a two albums — “Starlit” (2014) natural tendency to follow the and “Natural Changes” (2015). path of least resistance. After all, Gail Both albums were released on seeking out up-and-coming talent Henrikson vinyl (clear, bubble gum pink and is hard work — even when those artists are swirling all around us every day Coke bottle green) a novelty in and of itself. The band’s music videos from “Natural — baking our pizzas or serving us a double Changes” were shot on location in Cannon latte (without whipped cream, of course). I have personally found this to be partic- Beach and surrounding environs. The ularly true with regard to music. What we behind-the-scenes out takes of the making traditionally think of as “art” — painting, of this album are a time warp of music and sculpture, even jewelry — is readily home ¿ lm. The group utilized vintage tube accessible. Galleries are open standard amps and recording equipment to recreate business hours and art walks and other special a sound that likely hasn’t been trendy since events serve to conveniently introduce the “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” was popular. public to new artists and works. It would be easy to dismiss Jackson The Internet notwithstanding, unless you are an avid reader of Rolling Stone or a night Boone and the Ocean Ghosts as merely a owl willing to sit in a bar until the wee hours retro-throwback. But, their odd blend of the of the morning, new bands are much more psychedelic and the modern creates a sound that is at the same time both unique and dif¿ cult to e[perience. Additionally, I am sure I am not alone in vaguely familiar. The band recently wrapped up work on admitting that I sometimes become mired in a musical rut — content to listen to the their third album — Organic Light Factory, albums that are comfort food for my auditory and is in the process of searching for an independent label for this project. According soul. to Boone, this is the album that could “put herefore, it was very serendipitous to the band over the edge.” have encountered the band Jackson or anyone that either missed out on the Boone and the Ocean Ghosts. original psychedelic era of music or While billing themselves as being based out of Portland, lead singer Jackson Boone for anyone who wants to recapture their is an Astoria resident and a lifeguard at the youth and move forward into the 21st Astoria Aquatic Center — when he’s not out musical century, Jackson Boone and the Ocean Ghosts offers that opportunity. The playing gigs or recording. The ¿ ve-member band (Jackson Boone, band’s offerings can be easily located in Eric Broestl, Parker Hall, Wolfgang the ubiquitous 21st century concert hall of Warneke, and Tyler James) performs cyberspace. Also, if you like what you hear, the band frequently in Portland and Seattle, and was featured as one of Portland’s best emerging will be performing at the Festival of Dark Arts at Fort George on Feb . 13 — a very bands of 2014. However, when it comes time to record accessible location and at a very convenient their music, they leave the hipster scene time for those non-night owls in the crowd. behind and come to Cannon Beach. here is a kernel of truth in the old adage that all wait staff are aspiring actors, self-styled psych-rock group of 20-somethings, this band channels writers or musicians. The ne[t time that you are in the check out chords and harmonies reminiscent of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Robyn Hitchcock and line or out for dinner, take the time to really the Egyptians, Fleet Fo[es, Talking Heads listen to what your server has to tell you. And, maybe get their autograph. After all, and many, many more. That combination, while eclectic and you never know where they might be in 10 multi-generational, is combined together years. with restrained energy to create haunting, Gail Henrikson is a born-again dancer, À owing and echoing songs such as “Heavy aspiring writer, and former city planner. Lovers” and “The Moon in You”. Shades of She recently relocated to Astoria from New Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” can be heard Smyrna Beach, Florida. W riter’s N otebook T T A Courtesy of Jackson Boone and the Ocean Ghosts Chicago 2015 F T Courtesy of Jackson Boone and the Ocean Ghosts STEPHEN A. FORRESTER, Editor & Publisher • LAURA SELLERS, Managing Editor BETTY SMITH, Advertising Manager • CARL EARL, Systems Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN, Production Manager • DEBRA BLOOM, Business Manager HEATHER RAMSDELL, Circulation Manager Founded in 1873
