"Cabin is a band making brilliant music without trying too hard. It's one of those rare occasions where you can tell the band is just going by its natural feel and the chemistry between members flows perfectly." -Louisville Music News
Among the legions of fans CABIN has gained since their 2005 debut Govern the Good Life the band can count Sufjan Stevens who personally recommended them on his MySpace account as "a band you need to check out". The self-released debut disc has sold over 2,000 copies and continues, most of which are in their hometown of Louisville, KY (approximately 700 of those at the Ear-X-Tacy store alone where the album went to #1 for two weeks and remained in the top ten for several weeks on their top sales chart) and are fueled by word of mouth and their outstanding live show. Now the band, recently signed to Machine Records, is ready to hit the road and take their craft to a national audience with this long awaited follow up release, the I Was Here ep, which features five brand new songs including the epic first single 'I Was Here'.
After honing the finer elements of their live performance (opening for several national bands including The Von Bondies, VHS or Beta and others), and while drawing comparisons to My Morning Jacket, Coldplay and U2 from radio, press and other taste makers, CABIN has continued to write and record "... songs that are epics of atmosphere and melody, where the lingering spaces between notes are just as important as the tender, evocative music.' (Courier Journal). This four piece, melodically driven rock band, explores the depth of sound while never ignoring the gravity of lyrics and melody. Never a servant to fashion or time, CABINS's music will prove to hold up against the past, present and future of Rock' n' Roll.
“As good as this Louisville, KY quartet is on record, onstage they somehow manage to raise the bar on their atmospheric melodies and indelible pop hooks with both a hypnotic stage presence and jaw-dropping dynamics.” - ConcertLivewire
CABIN I Was Here EP
CABIN is a melodic rock band from Louisville Ky led by founding member Noah Hewett-Ball. As the group’s creative fountainhead, Hewett-Ball not only exhibits a masterful writing skill, but a voice that soars with commanding emotion, yet at other times quivers with endearing sincerity. The strength of lyrics and melody are re-enforced by the recently regrouped threesome, who provide a beautiful, yet powerful musical backdrop filled with both elegance and raw grit. After touring and recording, CABIN returns with this second offering after their critically acclaimed debut full-length Govern the Good Life. Now the band, recently signed to Machine Records, is ready to hit the road and take their craft to a national audience with this long awaited follow up release, I Was Here EP.
The band wastes little time setting the tone on this five-song EP as they open with their first single “I Was Here,” an opus which delivers a mesmerizing pulse while drawing you into an uplifting refrain that offers the sage, introspective advice of trying to “live life to leave your mark.” Lead vocalist Hewett-Ball also serves electric guitars with intricate melody as well as punch and power to complement the accents of the solid rhythm section, which culminate into a climatic guitar solo before melding into a satisfying calm.
“Dance With Me” is a playful, nostalgic trip that goes back in time to the junior/senior high gymnasium dance floor. It’s a fun, up-tempo driving groove that finally reaches it’s chorus near the end after telling a story of innocence and adolescent flirtation that shows this band can do something lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek as well as some of their heavy and more serious material.
Track three is a dramatic and spiritual journey, which implores a greater power for answers to some age-old questions. This soulful, touching plea with sweeping strings and haunting piano, possesses a strong emotional pull and does offer some answers as well as all the unanswered questions that you can’t hide from the world by “Cover(ing) Your Eyes.”
Violinist and keyboardist, Sarah Welder helps set “Musical Seats” apart with the opening pizzicato strings while the rhythm section of bassist Billy Lease and newest recruit, drummer Dave Chale help drive the listener on this more progressive and adventurous trip. While always vibrant, with dancing violin lines and a complementary, sometimes weapon-like guitar, this song strikes a balance between spontaneity and chaos with an elegant and brooding vocal plea.
While giving mention to CABIN’s own self released debut record, Govern the Good Life, which has sold over 2,000 copies fueled by word-of-mouth and their outstanding live shows, its author states that this is an ethic that will “work you to death” but it’s a “fair price” on the EP’s final offering “Less Than = To.” The band leads the listener on several twists and turns ranging from changes in time signatures, dynamics and tempo while the graceful vocals feels crushed, yet defiant as the song builds to climax and abrupt halt, leaving you longing, yet satisfied with these five songs (for now anyway).
The I Was Here EP is a sublime offering, more adventurous and signature than its predecessor, which should sweep away the Coldplay comparisons the band has drawn in the past. With its message of conviction and hope, backed by a massive, moving sound, simple yet complex, it packs a punch. CABIN creates music, which is a cut above the typical, emotionally fraught rock, currently filling our airwaves. This is exquisite stuff.
Read more...