Album Notes

4TH ON ECHOES ESSENTIAL CDS FOR 2006
TOP-20 ECHOES LISTENERS POLL

Two If By Sea is the innovative new release by guitarist and composer, Sumner McKane. It includes twelve tracks of his signature textured electric guitars and swirling swells of subtle synth tones & pads, all intermingled with percussive splashes, brushes and thuds. The broad range of tones and sounds- from quiet, simple and sparse, to full and progressive, is coupled with the unique bass styling of Joshua Robbins. The result is a diverse yet bound twelve tracks of moods and soundscapes that make Two If By Sea Sumner’s most impressive work yet.
Sumner’s previous 2005 release, North was awarded national recognition as CD of the month for October 2005, by National Public Radio’s Echoes program. North was also in the top five on Echoes Essential CDs for 2005.
Aside from Sumner’s career writing and recording original music, he has spent the last ten years playing lead guitar in various country acts from Maine to Tennessee. This has afforded him the opportunity to play great stages such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Wildhorse Saloon and Gillette Stadium. He has also had the opportunity to share the stage with (open for) artists such as Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and more. Sumner is currently touring with the award winning Nashville-based Don Campbell, who maintains over one hundred shows a year.
Sumner’s career in country music may seem unlikely considering he grew up loving the playing of Johnny Marr, Robert Smith, David Gilmour, Johnny Ramone, Andy Summers, Jimi Hendrix, Alex Lifeson, Robert Fripp, and the 1970s progressive rock players. Sumner’s tastes were diverse and varied but country music was never considered an influence. However, since entering the country music circuit, Sumner states he has truly enjoyed developing his abilities as a country player, as well as touring the country and playing some of the largest venues the country offers.
Separately from touring with country acts, Sumner has taken his beautiful blend of acoustic fingerstyle guitar on the road, touring the northwest and northeast U.S through the years.
In addition to the solo release of the records- Two If By Sea, North, Streams, Solo Acoustic Gutiar and Design, The Sumner McKane Group recorded and released, Night Blooming Cereus, in 2006. This record contains Sumner’s brand of “Ambient Americana”, but also has more of a progressive rock edge than previous recordings. Night Blooming Cereus has also been recognized by Echoes, remaining in their Top-20 list for the past seven months. In 2005, The Sumner Mckane group also recorded a “Living Room Concert” as part of the Echoes series of live recordings. One of Sumner’s tracks is featured on a compilation CD of live material that also features Will Ackerman, Yo Yo Ma and Kaki King.
In 2004, Sumner wrote and recorded the score for the award winning documentary, Closing The Circle, by Red Door Media. Sumner is currently working on scoring another project with them, entitled Our Town.