Seasons / Spectres

ALAMEDA is the new Portland-based three piece outfit founded by singer/guitarist Stirling Myles and cellist Jessie Dettwiler, joined by orchestral clarinetist, Jennifer Woodall. Compared to the baroque pop of Nick Drake and the slow-core dream pop of early Low, ALAMEDA take a delicate and intentional approach to song writing, taking Myles' original compositions and further arranging them along with a rotating cast of collaborators, including members of AgesandAges, Builders and the Butchers, and musicians from various regional symphonies. This kind of songwriting has helped nurture an organic sound that connects the older sensibilities of folk with modern influences of looped effects pedals and electric guitar textures. The seeds of Alameda were sown when Myles' previously supportive role of bassist fell by the wayside, as he embraced guitar and began to sing. This move hatched an untapped wellspring of song ideas, despite an initial learning curve, and a deliberate songwriting process that accounted for the band's first self-released LP, Seasons/Specters. A rolodex of local musicians helped to carve out Myles' initial output of tunes with more organic instrumentation, culminating in the addition of clarinetist Jennifer Woodall early on. The group now also includes Tim Grimes on guitar, and Barra Brown on drums.