Comfort for the Traveler, Utah Carol's second full-length release, is an eclectic mix of art pop, folk, indie rock and americana seasoned with happy/sad, boy/girl vocal harmonies. Is it haunting, mysterious and melodic with songs about longing, unrealized dreams and the endless search for something that is forever just out of reach.
Described by Mojo Magazine as "an addictive blend of bittersweet Americana and art-pop, sounding like a hillbilly fairground taken over by a couple of kids on mushrooms," Utah Carol's songs are a collection of vintage organs, layered orchestral instruments, synthesizers, loops, slide, electric and acoustic guitars, and lush instrumentation. A duo consisting of Grant Birkenbeuel and JinJa Davis, Utah Carol is one of Munich Record's promising American bands. Their music is played regularly on college radio throughout the United States and also played in Europe-most notably on The John Peel Show and Virgin's Captain America Radio. In addition, the band has garnered an international fan base with their debut self-released album "Wonderwheel" which was favourably reviewed by many European publications and magazines.
"My
Fear" a song from the debut was included on the compilation The Rough
Guide to Americana. Most recently, the band created an award-winning Web
site filled with videos, merchandise, animation, poems, photos and mp3s,
which attracts almost 1000 visitors a week.Utah
Carol has been writing songs together since 1995. JinJa and Grant write
the music and the lyrics as well as produce, arrange, perform and publish
their songs at their studio and publishing company, Stomping Ground in
Chicago, Illinois. The band name comes from a traditional song about a
cowboy who dies trying to save his friend from a stampede.
Guest musicians: Steve Rodby (Pat Metheny Group), Gerald Dowd (Robbie
Fulks), Pete Labella, Robert Bauchens, Mary Stolper and Charlene Zimmerman
(The Lyric Opera of Chicago), Brian Deck (Califone, Red Red Meat)
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