Album Notes

Since forming in 1995, rock band Ethan and the Ewox has played from Colorado to New York City and just about every state in between, finding fans in the crooks of small-town America and on the stages of many major cities. Their new self-released album came out last month and within two weeks of being on the shelves the hit song Stone Cold was playing on Chattanooga radio station 96.5 FM The Mountain and Project 96.1 FM in Atlanta. Stone Cold is just one of the ten memorable songs on the self-titled album that offer listeners a look into the depths of the band’s soul with lyrics like “all this time I’ve been witness to a crime and the criminal at large is me.” Also among the album tracks are Holy Whispers, a tribute to the late great musician Chris Whitley, and Bourbon Street, a haunting ballad about domestic abuse in a disaster-stricken New Orleans. Ethan and the Ewox’s style of music is a hybrid of southern rock, folk, and fusion. It was no surprise to the multitude of loyal fans who’ve religiously followed the band’s career over the last twelve years that they were chosen by listeners of New Orleans’ WWOZ as the number one Jazz Fest Artist when they debuted at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2003 on the main stage, opening for Los Lobos, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, and Ben Harper. Ethan and the Ewox recently moved from the small town of Jacksonville, AL to the big city of Atlanta, GA where they are developing quite a fan base. The band is fronted by the passionate vocals of Ethan Baker. Add to that the distinctive lead and slide techniques of guitarist Rob Bruce. Bassist Lafrandin Minchew’s evocative tenor voice keeps the background vocals dripping with soul. Renaissance-man Gary Chumney fills it out with his incredible drumming and talent for being able to play any instrument he picks up. Deeply influenced by their southern roots, the band has refined an intelligent sound that is quite different from anything out there, yet strangely familiar at the same time. They have opened for such artists as The Dave Matthews Band, Chris Whitley, Days of the New, Shawn Mullins, and Drivin ‘n Cryin. The new album, which they started recording in 2006 with producer Joseph Castriota (Dixie Chicks, Days of the New, Digby, Nathanial Kunkel, Ron Aniello, Peter Asher, Matt Wallace), is the band’s sixth independent offering. The majority of the music was recorded at Atlanta-based Berkeley Park Studios and Fireside Studios in Nashville, and the vocals were cut at Yadidit Studios in NYC where the record was also mixed. Backed by a full-throttle press tour and numerous live shows, this album proves to be their best endeavor yet. Like the best of the great southern rock bands, the Ewox fill their lyrics with details and imagery that are at once intense and intimate, political and ubiquitous. From blistering rock to fusionistic funk to searing swampy blues to contemplative folk and soul, Ethan and the Ewox occupy a distinctive space in the music world. Like a rock and roll drug, once you get a taste it’s hard to shake the effect. Come get your fix. More info: http://www.ethannoise.com

Discography
Common Element - 1998
brothersofdifferentmothers - 2001
Entropy Boy - 2002
Live @ Brother's - 2003
Acoustic - 2004
Ethan and the Ewox - 2007

"Till Your Love Comes Back Around," from Entropy Boy, 2003, streaming on XM Satellite Radio station "XM Unsigned" Channel 51.

"Time's on My Bad Side," from Entropy Boy, 2003, playing on nationally syndicated radio show "The Rick & Bubba Show (who are big fans of the band)."