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M Ross Perkins
File:Perkins Hope Con 2008.jpg
Perkins speaking at The Last Hope (New York City, 2008)
Background information
Birth nameMichael Ross Perkins
Born (1987-10-04) October 4, 1987 (age 36)
Dayton, Ohio, United States
GenresNeo-psychedelic, psychedelic folk, psychedelic pop, lo-fi
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, piano, organ, bass, drums
Years active2002–present
LabelsSofaburn Records
Websitemrossperkins.com

M Ross Perkins (born October 4, 1987) is an American neo-psychedelic singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Dayton, Ohio.

History

Early years

Perkins grew up in Fairborn, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. During his earliest years, his family lived on Titus Avenue in Dayton's Northridge neighborhood, a few houses down from Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard.[1] Perkins has stated that his proximity and early exposure to Guided By Voices was influential, noting that Pollard's lo-fi production technique and uninhibited vocal approach gave him the confidence to "make weird sounds" with his voice.[2] Perkins was also influenced at a young age by The Beatles, particularly the album Magical Mystery Tour, as well as singers Van Morrison, Roy Orbison, and Patsy Cline.[2]

In 2002, Perkins began experimenting with a Tascam Portastudio 4-track cassette recorder. His first recorded song, called "Man Who Knew My Name," was a multi-part, 16-minute ballad inspired by Bob Dylan's "Isis."[2]

2007-2013

In 2007, Perkins' early psychedelic material was discovered by MGMT, who later offered him a touring support slot at the time of their debut release, Oracular Spectacular, on Columbia Records.[1] However, Perkins declined due to severe anxiety resulting from prolonged use of hallucinogens.[1][3] Later that year, he produced a full-length record under the pseudonym of The Esther Caulfield Orchestra. This album, called Good Morning, Whiskey Breakfast, included contributions from Joseph Sebaali and Andrew Gabbard of Buffalo Killers and was described as a "potent cocktail of thrilling, 60s-inspired psychedelia."[4] Good Morning, Whiskey Breakfast was made available through Perkins' website as a free download, with only 25 hand-made copies of the album on CD made available for purchase.[5] During this time, Perkins worked as a roadie for Buffalo Killers on their tours in support of The Black Crowes, and he has referred to this experience as his "formal introduction to the music industry."[2][6] Shortly after the completion of Good Morning, Whiskey Breakfast, Perkins reportedly took LSD and set fire to a hard drive containing most of the material from his early catalog.[6]

In 2010, all three members of Buffalo Killers acted as Perkins' backing band for a period of time before he retired his Esther Caulfield Orchestra moniker in order to form his new group, called Goodbye.[4][7] Perkins recruited Ian Kaplan (drums), Nick Eddy (guitar), and Chris Green (bass), who at the time comprised the band West, fronted by Kelley Deal of The Breeders.[7] Goodbye produced a full-length record, entitled Cheerio!, however this album was shelved after Perkins reportedly spent over 5 years revising, re-sequencing, and re-recording, before deciding that it should be permanently withheld from release.[2][8]

Present

"I tried to think about the album as if it were a formal outline of my stylistic range, with each song being a primary heading to represent a unique style or aesthetic. The idea is that my subsequent records should gradually reveal themselves as the detailed subheadings beneath each individual song — or style — on the debut."

-M Ross Perkins, on his debut release[9]

After the death of bassist Chris Green, Perkins disbanded Goodbye and began working on new solo material at his home in Dayton's Belmont neighborhood. These new songs would form the basis for Perkins' first official release.[2] SofaBurn Records, coincidentally based out of Dayton, Kentucky, approached Perkins with a recording contract in 2015 after Zach Gabbard presented the company with a collection of material by The Esther Caulfield Orchestra and Goodbye. In January of 2016, Perkins recorded the drum tracks for the forthcoming SofaBurn release at Gabbard's analog studio, Howler Hills Farm, before returning to his own home studio to complete the record.[8] Perkins brought in no additional personnel for these home sessions, opting instead to perform all of the recorded instrumentation himself.[8][10]

Perkins' debut release was announced after the song "Humboldt County Green" premiered in High Times in July of 2016.[11] The album, called M Ross Perkins, was released by SofaBurn on October 14th, 2016. Initial critical reception of the record was enthusiastic, with notable stylistic comparisons drawn to solo artists such as Harry Nilsson and Emitt Rhodes.[9][10][12][11]

Discography

  • The Esther Caulfield Orchestra - Good Morning, Whiskey Breakfast (2008, unreleased)
  • Goodbye - Cheerio! (2012, unreleased)
  • M Ross Perkins (Self-Titled) (2016, SofaBurn Records)

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Premiere: M Ross Perkins - Ever Ever Ever". PureVolume. September 8, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Terry IzzyRock Martin (August 13, 2015). "Tales from the Hardside - Episode 148: M Ross Perkins". gemcitypodcast.com (Podcast). The Gem City Podcast. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  3. ^ "M Ross Perkins Self Titled Album Due in October". BroadwayWorld. August 19, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Thrasher, Don (March 11, 2011). "Artistic Alliance; Michael Perkins Recruits Buffalo Killers for Esther Caulfield Orchestra Project". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved October 11, 2016. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  5. ^ Perkins, M Ross (November 3, 2011). "Live on Kaleidoscope: the Esther Caulfield Orchestra and Andy Gabbard Homemade" (Interview). Interviewed by Juliet Fromholt. Retrieved October 20, 2016 – via WYSO.
  6. ^ a b "Featured Artist: M Ross Perkins". MaximumVolume Music. August 5, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Anderl, Tim (November 20, 2012). "Hello, Hello". Dayton CityPaper. Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved October 12, 2016. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  8. ^ a b c Perkins, M Ross (September 1, 2016). "Sofaburn Records Prepares for M. Ross Perkins Release, DMAFF Showcase" (Interview). Interviewed by Juliet Fromholt. Retrieved October 21, 2016 – via WYSO.
  9. ^ a b "Album Premiere: M Ross Perkins, self-titled". AllMusic. October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "M Ross Perkins - "Ever Ever Ever"". The Fire Note. October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Song Premiere: M Ross Perkins - Humboldt County Green". HighTimes. July 26, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  12. ^ Mills, Jon (November 1, 2016). "Review: M Ross Perkins". Shindig!. UK: Tom Saunders. Retrieved October 21, 2016.


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