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
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Courtesy of Jackson Boone and the Ocean Ghosts
Chicago 2015
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Courtesy of Jackson Boone and the Ocean Ghosts
STEPHEN A. FORRESTER, Editor & Publisher • LAURA SELLERS, Managing Editor
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