VIDEO PREMIERE :: FOREST PORRIDGE - "WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME" (LIVE)
FOREST PORRIDGE - “WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME” (LIVE)
Released via Manor Records 04.30.20.
Filmed by Peter Kinsky - Recorded at Colorado Sound Recordings
“Tucked into the town of Westminster, CO sits a 53 year old recording studio which has entertained visitors such as David Byrne, D'Angelo, *NSYNC, Dave Matthews Band and most recently a little indie/jazz duo from Denver, by the name of Forest Porridge.
Forest Porridge is two musicians, Colin Martin (guitar/vocals) and Dan Costello (drums).
Any listener might struggle to comprehend that, beyond Martin's vocals, this band is only a rhythm section. In their newly released live session at Colorado Sound, the band blends into the the studio's aesthetic of warm wood paneled walls and performs a paired down, but equally powerful, rendition of their song titled What You Mean To Me. Martin's vocals bare a silky lower register resonance comparable to the likes of Edward Droste (Grizzly Bear), yet his acoustic guitar finger-picking style is all his own; beautiful, melodically complicated and tastefully unpredictable. Costello proves a perfect collaborator. With his roots in latin/jazz-based percussion, his conversational approach to drumming wields a great deal of power and often determines the direction of the song on an emotional level.
Forrest Porridge shows the most strength in knowing the roles of their creative instruments, musically and artistically. Their lyrics often err on the side of simple on paper; purposeful in delivery. What You Mean To Me is the mantra-like inner monologue quietly recited to oneself in the midst of conflict between personal desires and potential disasters. The sonic and visual intimacy of this performance holds a mirror to the raw discomfort of emotional dilemmas which appear to haunt the narrator throughout the song. Within the vessel of Colorado Sound Studios, Martin softly turns the phrases over and over until the intangible nature of his own feelings become concrete facts of the natural world.”
Review by ::
Rachel Mallin
Manor Team Member & Blog Contributor.
Manor Records gives 100% of article author rights to Rachel Mallin.
Today’s Drink Special
“It’s Bad Luck to Kill a Seabird”
“At first listen, Forest Porridge's "What You Mean to Me," gave me some really earthy vibes. It has warm tone, silky vocals, and the muted snare was beautifully muddy. Then, after a few more listens, I got some serious ocean vibes right before a storm. I think it was the extra splashy cymbal work mixes with the bobbing of the guitar melodies.
So, I decided to go with a silky, boat drink, with an earthy Pisco as the base. This drink is a personal recipe and will be on the Spring menu at Voltaire, once we get the green light to reopen.”
Matt Brown
Manor Records Virtual Bartender