Download the tracks here!
A pop band that refuses to sound too pretty, Schooner’s sound is borne from the paradox of emotions true to life. Demanding perfect pitch, but appalled at a solo with no wrong notes, writing intentionally simple songs, but determined to make them intriguing, Schooner only becomes more fascinating with time.
Founded in 2003 by Reid Johnson as a solo four-track project, Schooner has become a major force in the indie-rock scene of the Triangle. After a hiatus in the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008, Schooner’s new lineup of Reid Johnson (guitar, lead vocals), Maria Albani (bass, backup vocals), Billy Alphin (drums), and Chris Badger (keyboard, backup vocals) are quickly gaining attention. Following the success of their self-released album “Duck Kee Sessions” and recent tour built around a South by Southwest performance, Schooner is gaining fame throughout the region, and is working on material for an upcoming full length album.
Despite numerous changes in personal since the bands inception, Johnson has managed to preserve the central character of Schooner. A combination of 1980s and 90s underground indie-rock, country, Hawaiian, and experimental music provides the framework for Schooner’s sonic aesthetic. While Johnson’s songwriting may not be as directly emotional as in the groups earlier days, his lyrics continue to focus on the emotions and nuances of personnel life. Many indie bands lose appeal due to the apathy of their song material and music, but Schooner proves to be a glowing exemption to this pattern, a testament to Johnson’s skills as a songwriter. Without having to rely on “rawness” emotionally, Johnson and Schooner are able to create a more nuanced, accessible, and appealing texture.
Schooner’s lyrics are not self-pitying or deprecating, but instead are thematic, conveying certain universal feelings and moods through the creation of specific stories and situations. Swirling voice and instrument together in a sea of reverb, Schooner’s songs could be described as emotional backdrops, or tastes, each song a setting and a story wrapped in one.
Many of Schooner’s songs, such as “Ride with Me” and “Leviathans and Leaving” vaguely focus on love, or love lost---someone gone, and therefore permanent, providing an opportunity to reflect on life and living in a larger sense. Pop songs are often regarded as only for mass consumption, but Johnson recognizes this generally familiar structure as a direct pathway to the listener, and gives it a rough or imperfect edge (much like life itself), using unpolished pop songs as a medium for introspection.
In a time of apathetic and generally overly serious indie-rock, overly-burdened with emotions and messages, Schooner is refreshing--easy to desk-drum along with, but also substantial enough to connect with on a deeper level.
These tracks for VR Presents are some of Schooner’s most well known songs live, and we are thrilled to have gotten the chance to first record them.
Along with an April 30th show at Nightlight, Schooner will be playing an intimate in-studio show, with a very limited number of tickets available. Please email vrpresents@gmail.com for tickets to that show.
