Soul infused alternative pop

11 MP3 Songs
URBAN/R&B: R&B Pop Crossover, ROCK: Modern Rock



Details:
Intervision 5 is a young, eclectic, Portland-based quintet, employing disparate elements of soul, rock, and funk in order to mold their own unique sound. Earning sonic comparisons to Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, and Jamiroquai, I5 is recognized by decorative three-part harmonies flowing effortlessly atop infectious, undulating grooves.

The current focus of Intervision 5 has been the completion of their debut CD, Inside, at the renowned Kung Fu Bakery in Portland, Oregon. The album features such guest musicians as Hans Teuber (woodwinds/Ani Difranco) and legendary Portland guitarist Dan Balmer, and was co-produced by Grammy winning engineer Bob Stark. The Oregonian writes, "It's a sweet listen. Lyrics tug at the heart from everyday moments, while pure vocals steer melodies over engaging rhythms." I5 received a weeklong feature on Kink fm 102, and were asked to play for the first KINK Early Escape cruise of 2005. They were booked a spot on the Bite of Oregon's A&E mainstage, selected to play at Musicfest NW, and received their TV debut on KATU's AM Northwest within the first month and a half of their album's release. Inside demonstrates to listeners that the band has honed a sophisticated sound not easily squeezed into the alternative pop genre.

The players of Intervision 5 initially met as music students at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, OR. The group gained invaluable experience through extensive touring and performance, musical composition, recording sessions, sound engineering opportunities, and constant interaction with some of Portland's finest musicians, including Tom Wakeling, Steve Christofferson, Nancy King, Randy Porter and Alan Jones. Their insatiable thirst for mastery and performance led them to pursue music as a profession.

Each member asserts a distinct musical personality that is synthesized by a mutual desire to create. Lead vocalist Paul Creighton's soulful tenor unites sounds of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Bob Marley with the improvisational flavor of Kurt Elling. The influences of Tom Petty, Stone Temple Pilots, and Dave Mathews are sewn into the rhythmic riffs of guitarist/vocalist Tony Stovin, while keyboardist Kit Taylor rounds out the three-vocal front with his own twists of jazz and hip-hop. Bassist Mike Glidden and drummer Jon Barber navigate the groove like peanut butter on rye and will have the listener's heads popping like pistons in a mac truck.

Applying their own form of logic, Intervision 5 will have the audience out of their seats and pinwheeling in a cocoon of pulsing orgasmic sound. Armed with a heavily anticipated debut album, listeners will be both intrigued and entertained by this fresh, avant-garde ensemble of northwest talent.