ATWS #39: Artist Spotlight – Campfire OK

Campfire OK
Photo: Kristen Tourtillotte

Seattle’s Campfire OK is a collection of musicians who came together to help songwriter Mychal Cohen round out an album he was recording in his studio. At the time Cohen was performing in a drum and piano duo but found a far bigger sound with the album that became Campfire OK’s 2010 debut Strange Like We Are. The album is filled with layers of lush ambiance and driving percussion that creates a thick bed for more traditional folk instruments like piano, acoustic guitar, brass, and banjo. This band is far from a folk band, though, falling somewhere around indie rock, but with more natural sounds that would be expected from a band within that genre.
What most drew me to this album, though, are the orchestrated arrangements and Cohen’s powerful vocals, which are even stronger when coupled with layers of rich harmony. The album’s dynamics twist and turn from the bombastic to the delicate. Each musician contributes what often seems like simple parts, but lead to an overall  sound that is far greater than the sum.
Links:
Around the Wood Stove is a production of the Wood Stove House and is hosted by Jason Mundok.
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3 Replies to “ATWS #39: Artist Spotlight – Campfire OK”

  1. marty wedge-blake

    loved your performance at the church last night. Next time i’ll get up with others to DANCE joyously. I guess my English/Scotch Irish roots(routes!) were rekindled. Sorry to hear you are leaving the band. What is next in store for you?

    • Jason Mundok

      Thanks for coming out last nigh, Marty. And for checking out the Wood Stove House. What’s next? Expanding the Wood Stove House to promote and support great bands like Campfire OK and incredible experimental theater events like the 24 Hour Plays. Keep up with us here, we have lots of great performing arts coming up in 2012!

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