Album Notes

ALBUM AVAILABLE AT iTUNES MUSIC STORE, TOO!!

When Paul Duncan (vocals, guitar, piano) and Miles (guitar) met in Hermosa Beach, California in the summer of 1998, it had nothing to do with music. They were just two transplanted southerners (who happened to both be musicians) meeting at a mutual friend’s house, watching the World Cup. But a simple conversation about the Beatles uncovered common ground between them, and a brotherhood began on that day. Over time, the relationship grew, stretching across years of both personal triumph and crippling loss. Friends have a way of becoming players in one another’s life stories, and Paul and Miles’ stories found their way into the fabric of song. Out of this friendship, The Echo Division was formed.

At first, the band was a side project. Duncan was busy with his band Kepano Green (Rhythm House Records), as well as touring stints in both the U.S. and Europe with Sense Field (Nettwerk America) and Mercy Street (RCA). He also found time to work in other genres, co-writing Sherrie Austin's hit "Streets of Heaven" in 2003, which won Duncan an ASCAP award. Miles had just wrapped up a successful run with For Love Not Lisa (Atlantic), and was touring and recording with Puller (Tooth & Nail). Still, though, Paul and Miles wanted a new creative outlet, a way to combine their love for classic and modern alternative rock, so they started writing together, working under the name The Echo Division. And the songs started coming…

“Died to Life” is a scream of faith and redemption. “Horses,” another all-out rocker, is born of desperation in a relationship. “California Star” is a haunting look back at life and family, an acoustic American hymn from the other side of the grave, while “The Dogs and the Divine” deals with our spiritual hunt, mortals seeking something eternal.

With the addition of Tim Worman (drums) and Andrew Egger (bass), the music began to really take shape, and suddenly, The Echo Division was much more than a side project. The long nights in the rehearsal room, on stage, and in the studio have yielded an album – Under California Stars. The world is taking notice, as two songs from the album, "Stones" and "Run," were recently featured on March 2007 episodes of MTV's "The Hills," and the band garnered a nod from the 2007 Orange County Music Awards. Under California Stars - It’s 12 tracks of windows-down rock and roll from the heart and for the heart. It’s the sound of four guys playing the story of their lives, and, just maybe, the story of yours…