Copeland (band)

Copeland
Copeland
Origin	Lakeland, Florida
Genre(s)	Americana; Indie rock; Slowcore; Acoustic rock
Years active	2000–present
Label(s)	Tooth & Nail Records
Website	http://www.thecopelandsite.com/
Members
	Aaron Marsh; Bryan Laurenson; Jonathan Bucklew; Stephen Laurenson;
Former members
	James Likeness; Rusty Fuller; Thomas Blair; Jarrett Smith

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Copeland is an American Pop/alternative band, originally formed in 2000 by singer Aaron Marsh (who also plays the guitar, mellotron, organ, and piano) with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness, in the city of Lakeland, Florida. Bryan Laurenson, guitarist, and Jonathan Bucklew, drummer (who took the place of Rusty, ex-drummer of Copeland and drummer on Beneath Medicine Tree) give the band an original sound. In 2002, they signed a record deal with independent label The Militia Group and released their debut album Beneath Medicine Tree a year later. They operate out of Central Florida and have a calm, pop-rock sound. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 they performed at the annual Cornerstone Florida Festival in Orlando, Florida. In Motion, Copeland's second full length CD, was released on March 22, 2005. It was produced by Matt Goldman and Aaron Marsh, and mixed by Ken Andrews. The early copies of In Motion that were issued, included a four-song acoustic ep––a compilation of lo-fi versions of songs from In Motion itself, as well as Beneath Medicine Tree.

Eat, Sleep, Repeat, Copeland's third full length album, was released on October 31, 2006. Columbia Records announced their signing of Copeland in a press release dated November 14, 2006.^[1] "We always said that we would only consider working with a label that was passionate about our band and our music, and the folks at Columbia are just that," the band said in a blog on its MySpace page. “Nothing drastic will change other than the fact that hopefully a few more ears will get to hear our music.”

Beneath Medicine Tree features a heavy medical theme. Aaron Marsh admits that the lyrics in this album were inspired by the hospitalization of his girlfriend and the death of his grandmother. The album booklet includes photographs by then-bassist James Likeness of hospital scenes.^[2] Marsh cites that, "With Beneath Medicine Tree, I wanted to make a record that moves people," while "With In Motion, I wanted to make a record that makes people move."^[3]

Lead singer Aaron Marsh has also lent his voice to other bands such as Underoath on their album They're Only Chasing Safety, Anberlin on Cities and Lydia on Illuminate.

On July 18, 2007 James made public his decision to no longer be a part of Copeland. He cited pursuing a career as a graphic designer (a field in which he has a college degree) as a chief reason in his decision to leave the band. ^[4]

As of September 6, 2007, Copeland announced that they had officially split ways with Columbia Records.

About a year after ESR they released a B-side album entitled Dressed Up & In Line. It was released on November 20, 2007 and is composed of B-sides, remixes, and a few new songs as well.

Although stated by some to be a Christian band, Aaron Marsh has said that they are not. ^[5]"I think that's kind of a defective term," Marsh says. "It's not our nature to have religious connotations. We are not a ministry band. We have some people in the band that are Christian, but that is not the focus of our band" and ^[6]"We have no agenda in our band other than art."

[edit] Current members

[edit] Other projects

Copeland is involved in To Write Love on Her Arms.
Aaron Marsh was involved with the band Anchor & Braille along with Anberlin's Stephen Christian, producing the bands debut album Felt due for release in 2009.
Bryan Laurenson's first band was Last Kid Picked, out of Annapolis, MD

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Beneath Medicine Tree (March 25, 2003)
In Motion (March 22, 2005) - #115 U.S.
Eat, Sleep, Repeat (October 31, 2006) - #90 U.S.
Dressed Up & In Line (November 20, 2007)
You Are My Sunshine (October 14, 2008) - #48 U.S.

[edit] EPs

Copeland / Pacifico Split EP (2001)
Copeland / The Pale Split - EP (2003)
Know Nothing Stays the Same (2004)
Sony Connect Sessions (2005) - A bonus disc with the initial copies of In Motion.
Best Buy Exclusive Bonus Disc (2006) - Included with the initial copies of Eat, Sleep, Repeat that were sold at Best Buy.
The Grey Man EP (February 24, 2009)

[edit] Instant Live

Copeland teamed up with Instant Live to create a series of 21 limited edition CDs of many of the band's shows during their tour with Daphne Loves Derby, The Spill Canvas, and Melee, between October 13 and November 7, 2005.