Tales of the Flora-gonian landscape with classic country style. Sassy, loving, fierce, fun.

13 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Alt-Country, ROCK: College Rock

Show all album songs: Eastward Pioneer Songs


Details:
âThis is intended as a compliment: Jacksonville songwriter Laurel Lee's wry country music sounds like literary fiction backed by the Heartbreakers.â -Folio Weekly

"You've got the voice of butter, and the attitude of acid, and together theyâre fu@*ing great!!!!" â A nice fan

Within the tradition of great country western music, the âEastward Pioneerâ project embraces North Florida. This is the pure, sassy country that you need to thumb your nose at your ex. These are anthems of common sense, frustration, beauty, love, tall tales, and true love. These are our stories.

Laurel Lee moved from Portland, Oregon two years ago to the Historic Springfield neighborhood facing downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The music arrived and cooked in funny ways, with a similar pace but with different hangovers from her 2005 release, âWhy Donât We Donât Get Married.â âHave You Everâ grew from two days behind a gigantic floor sander while working for a cement construction company at the Mayport Naval Base. âI Should not be in the Kitchenâ wrote itself during a late night quesadilla incident. âI Donât Miss Missing Youâ claimed a new era, one free from the âoldest heartaches.â The âChicken Bombâ is a terrible, horrid Florida legend that demanded life.

She met Darin Ronan (drums) through friends of friends, and soon Joey Kerr (lead guitar) through Darin. An old college friend of her husbandâs, John Mortensen, wanted to get back into playing bass, and wouldnât you know it, John and Joey had been best friends through childhood and next door neighbors. They hadnât seen nor heard from one another in fifteen years, and met for the first time at the first rehearsal.

The band:

Joey Kerr--Joey is a monster guitar player. Kicks and licks, delicate and smashing, he fills and tops the sounds he is a part of. He can make a sensitive song lighter, a heavy song darker, and yet still appear as though he just woke up. He arrives to each performance with the entourage of his whole family. Soon we will have to live without him more often so he can pursue his musical opportunities like his recent tour in Europe.

John MortensenââMortieâ, former best friend of the aforementioned Joey, hoped to find a good chance to start playing again. He works a stressful but fulfilling week, spends time with the lovely Elizabeth, plays for his church, and is so dedicated to the details relating to his family, that his schedule for the most part is full. His attention to this project is noted and deeply appreciated. Mortie plays a deep bass, a warm, heart-beat bass that you donât notice until you realize that thatâs all you hear. Lovely.

Darin RonanâA talented drummer and respected musician in Jacksonville, Darin came to the project through a family connection. He supported and encouraged this project though he didnât necessarily have the time with his family, business, and many other music projects. His prioritization was deeply appreciated, and many good wishes toward his future projects are heartfelt.

Dolly PenlandâHoly cow. The former lead singer of Dollyweed, Dolly met Laurel Lee at open mic shows when Laurel Lee first arrived. Dollyâs voice verily drove the glass out of the panes with pushy clarity. When first mixed, the harmony tracks that Dolly sang stood up, strangled, put hands on hips and rang, âI am Alpha!â! Of course, the second round of mixing accommodated her ringing announcements. A close approximation of her domination is to be heard on this recordâs âChicken Bomb.â


Jacksonville, Florida
November 17, 2007