Listen Up! New Music by Bright Archer
Johanna Kunin, now under the moniker Bright Archer, oozes beauty vocally, instrumentally and physically. This Portland native has found her musical outlet in varied genres including jazz, opera and now ballad piano rock. Training her voice since she was a youngster, it seems she pretty much had her mind made up when it came to career choices. She discovered her love of songwriting in hear early twenties and decided to start a solo career in mainstream music. In 2006 she had her first release with album Clouds Electric and has finally finished a follow-up album Hidden Systems to be released on July 5th. We're able to share with you the single of the same name to give you a little teaser of what's in store.
Not only is her solo work a breath of fresh air to be enjoyed under almost any circumstance, she takes part in a couple of our favorite Portland bands as well. One such group is Loch Lomond who, led by Ritchie Young, caught our attention a couple years back opening for Hey Marseilles' sold out show at the Crocodile. They have been a Portland staple for several years now with, unfortunately, seemingly mediocre success in Seattle. However, Ritchie's higher register voice is somewhat similar to Bon Iver with more unique melodies. Hopefully the success of this style of music will trickle down to other such bands. Johanna adds hers to Young's vocals as well as cameos on the flute, melodica and piano.
Ages and Ages also counts Johanna among its members and we are completely smitten with them. The first time we took notice was their performance opening for Black Prairie (the side project of several Decemberists members) at the Sunset Tavern and then again opening for Drew Grow and the Pastor's Wives at Columbia City Theater. They have begun to make a splash in Seattle alongside Typhoon as the next chamber pop bands to keep an eye on. With members numbering in the near double digits they have a beautiful full sound with several vocalists, including Johanna, harmonizing as a cherry on top of the musical sundae. Needless to say, Johanna has a lot to offer as a solo artist and as part of a group so we're looking forward to hearing what she's throwing at us. Enjoy today's Listen Up! song "Hidden Systems" from Bright Archer's pending release Hidden Systems and don't miss her shows coming up in July and August at the Fremont Abbey.
July 12th @ Fremont Abbey for Round #74 w/ Laura Gibson. Suggested donation $5-$10
August 19th @ Fremont Abbey for Songs About Books, tickets $12.
