EFREN BUILDS ‘THUNDER AND MOAN’, DEBUT RELEASE DECEMBER 4TH

November, 2009 (ATHENS, GA) – On December 4th, 2009 the Flicker Theatre and Bar will host Athens local swamp folk troubadours Efren, who will release, ‘Thunder and Moan’ an album created on the kitchen table and the front porch and the dirt road. A sound novel of stories and songs about loss but also trying to lose the things that stop us from reaching the place we search for. 5 AM on a Thursday the initial track ‘Montana Scare’ was recorded with coffee and a brewing southern spring storm. ‘Thunder and Moan’ was recorded with the intention of trying to find the most direct stream to express needs and feelings to the audience and audio experience, no mass editing, no over production, no buffers. Efren is not an individual but an outlook. ‘Thunder and Moan’ was created alone, but Efren is not one person but a band of many. Efren is real music, made with a sort of digital bedroom (or kitchen) lo-fi recording.
‘Thunder and Moan’ was recorded sitting at a large wooden kitchen table, a G4 ibook and an acoustic guitar and a few things to make a beat on. Using Garageband and the internal microphone on the laptop tracks were laid with guitar, voice and toys. Using the stock issue equipment in a Mac computer Efren has created this debut album. Sitting in a chair looking out the windows, playing these songs to find how to create the path of natural expression, efren was born.
Efren is a musical project with no human face or names, somewhat anonymous, in an effort to emphasize the music and art, the stories and the emotion not the physical image and hype. Using a brother’s art and the free production/recording techniques Efren is trying to break even the most rebellious DIY mindset of the music business. By using expansive Internet promotion and releasing 3 rough mixed tracks, efren received multiple print publications and Internet bloggers writing reviews and interviews before even performing live in public. The music speaks deeply to the solitary self in all of us, evident in the peaked interest of the pens of the press.
‘Thunder and Moan’ will be released without standard CD pressing and expensive wasteful packaging. It will only be available via digital download, as to reduce waste and cost to both consumer and artist. Fans will be able to buy vouchers at shows and download the album on an upcoming website efrenmusic.com or the standard big online music retailers, itunes, Amazon, etc.
Drawing from roots music of folk, blues and country but also acknowledging the present indie rock music offerings. With strains of Bob Dylan and Bonnie Prince Billy, the dark rambling songsters to the smooth lo-fi indie sounds of Iron & Wine and Wilco, efren lets the listener connect by allowing the audience onto the front porch. With much preparation a band was formed over the summer of 2009 to perform this music. Eerie harmonies, acoustic guitars, an upright bass and a small jazz drum kit comprised the band to play efren.
Being soft and then growing to great volumes, the live presentation of efren has been impressing audiences in Athens, GA and surrounding towns. Sitting with the audience and playing these songs, accessibility to the band and musicians is easy as you are drawn into the intense but effortless tales of this new folk music. This is something that is about real people, real loss, gain and real whiskey, something that more than just acoustic or folk fans can connect with.


Event info:
Efren ‘THUNDER AND MOAN ALBUM RELEASE
w/ Taylor Holingsworth and Major Love Event
December 4th 9 PM
Flicker Theatre and Bar
Athens, GA

For more information or to set up interviews, contact:

Efren and SLO Productions