PONDEROSA: New Album ‘Pool Party’ Debuts On Paste Magazine; Group Launch Series of In-Store Performances At Boutique Record Shops Across the U.S.

                                                                    Pictured above, PONDEROSA.

As indie rockers PONDEROSA gear up for the release of their new album POOL PARTY–due out July 31 on New West Records–the group will premiere the album in its entirety via Paste magazine starting today, Monday, July 23–for one full week before release. Listen to the album here: http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/07/album-stream-ponderosa—pool-party.html. The Atlanta quintet has also launched a string of in-store performances at boutique record shops around the U.S. starting today Monday, July 23 in Charlotte, NC at Lunchbox Records and wrapping Saturday, August 4 in Atlanta, GA at Criminal Records (see dates and venues below). Fans who attend the shows will be treated to full in-store performances from the group, plus a meet and greet and signing.
   

POOL PARTY–the Atlanta quintet’s sophomore release–is garnering early critical praise for its surf-dream-pop infused with a dark, Southern rock influence. Paste magazine noted “Atlanta indie rockers Ponderosa are well worth your attention, combining psychedelic, soul and Southern rock to create music that’s hauntingly beautiful and irresistibly catchy all at the same time” (5/22/12). Elsewhere, Stomp and Stammer magazine praised the album for “…expansive, celestial sonic quadrants. Soaring, interstellar harmonies, booming drums, spatial textures, offbeat tangents and reverb aplenty are a few of their newfound traits on full display for the new elpee, which brings them closer in approach to that of groups like Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket and Athens’ Futurebirds” (5/28/12). NPR’s “All Songs Considered” featured the new track “Get A Gun.” Listen here: http://www.npr.org/2012/07/10/156516525/this-weeks-mix-dinosaur-jr-returns-dark-metal-from-baroness-son-lux-and-more?ps=mh_frimg1.

Aided by producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, MGMT), PONDEROSA–KALEN NASH (lead vocals), JOHN DANCE (keyboards/vocals), JONATHAN HALL (bass/vocals), KRIS SAMPSON (lead guitar) and DARREN DODD (drums)–gave their imagination free reign and delivered a diverse, moody and mysterious collection of songs, full of unexpected twists and turns that keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

POOL PARTY bursts with neo-psychedelic sounds, amorphous guitars and earthen harmonies. “Black Hill Smoke” sounds like the Everly Brothers lost in a Phil Spector-inspired Twilight Zone. Ghostly, shimmering harmonies, minimal percussion and a slow, classic rock turnaround give the track a dark, mournful feeling. “Navajo” alternates between grinding chords and muted arpeggios to create an ominous sound, while the funereal “Cold Hearted Man” features a stark, wrenching vocal from NASH, sung with acoustic guitar and ambient keys that make this meditation on sin and mortality one of the album’s most chilling moments. “On Your Time” shows off the band’s rocking side with a solid, driving backbeat, chiming guitars and their soaring harmonies.

www.ponderosamusic.com

Catch PONDEROSA on their U.S. in store performance run, dates below:

Ponderosa Assets:
Ponderosa (Group photo): http://msopr.com/files/pon-1374-300dpi-small.jpg
Ponderosa Pool Party, album artwork: http://msopr.com/files/ponderosa-_ac.jpg
Ponderosa “Navajo” on Paste magazine: http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/05/song-premiere-ponderosa—navajo.html
Ponderosa’s “Get A Gun” on NPR “All Song’s Considered”: http://www.npr.org/2012/07/10/156516525/this-weeks-mix-dinosaur-jr-returns-dark-metal-from-baroness-son-lux-and-more?ps=mh_frimg1
Ponderosa “Black Hill Smoke” video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyaWtsbE3A0
Ponderosa online highlights: http://newwestrecords.com/pages/ponderosa-highlights/

###

For PONDEROSA publicity in the U.S., contact: MSO–818-380-0400

Libby Coffey/x224, LCoffey@msopr.com

Mitch Schneider/x235,MSchneider@msopr.com