high-energy modern rock

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ROCK: Modern Rock, POP: Today's Top 40



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Pop-savvy Brian Copeland Band is one of Portlandâs favorite up and coming contenders. They are at the top of their game in 2006 after winning the regional finals of the Emergenza International Music Festival in June and being chosen for a coveted mainstage slot at the 2006 Bite of Oregon. Their hometown rag, Willamette Week raves:

"The Brian Copeland Band is a lot like a northwest version of Matchbox 20...both projects contain saccharine lyrics, and pop orchestrations so sweet they'd leave Bigfoot a drooling, drunken beast."

With their much anticipated sophomore album called âVelvet Crushâ slated to hit stores in late September, the band is poised to make a big splash in the NW music scene this fall.

The Story
Itâs not easy to reinvent oneself in the entertainment industry- needless to say to have success with it. Brian Copeland is a bonafied success story. In 2003 after playing nearly ten years in the northwest music scene with moderately successful funk and jam bands Pale Green Pants and The Furleys, Brian Copeland decided it was time to take a much needed break.

But he couldnât stay away for long. Returning to his pop-rock roots, he took a whole new approach to his songwriting, looking to mentors like Neal Finn and Rob Thomas for inspiration. Copeland also joined forces veteran guitarist/vocalist Jon Taubman. Taubmanâs jazz background, combined with his keen pop sense and vocal capabilities made him a key addition to Copelandâs new direction. Copeland then enlisted long time friend and Pale Green Pants bandmate, Rob Schrecongost (bass) and one of Portlandâs great multi-instrumentalist/drummers Wayne Thompson to join the team.

It wasnât long before they were ready to return to the spotlight- this time with a powerful, cutting-edge, melodic pop sound.

Engineered and co-produced by Josh Millman (The Superficials) at Dead Aunt Thelmaâs, The Brian Copeland Bandâs debut called âDaffodilâ hit Portland with a bang in the winter of 2003-4. While the title track was making a mark on critics (like jumping into finals of International Makeastar Song Competition), people at home were turning out to shows in greater numbers every time, eating up the new sound. Copeland was back and stronger than ever.

The band has just finished tracks for their follow up to âDaffodil,â called âVelvet Crush.â Returning to the studio with Josh Millman, the new songs reflect the growth of the band over the past year and the evolution and refinement of their sound. The high-energy pop arrangements are filled with powerful vocals and silky guitar hooks, not only showcasing Copelandâs musicianship, but his production and songwriting chops as well.

Copeland comments, âIâm more comfortable than Iâve ever been with the band, our sound and the direction the music has gone. I canât wait to get this album out.â

âVelvet Crushâ is slated to hit stores this fall.