Eric Margan & The Red Lions

  

 ERIC MARGAN & THE RED LIONS

Debut Release: Midnight Book

Available 3/17/09

 

“Elegant, sophisticated and refreshingly open-hearted, singer-guitarist Margan pens wonderfully literate and melodically inventive songs that he has orchestrated for a most unusual but oh-so effective ensemble of musicians featuring drums, bass, keyboards, violin, cello, clarinet and flute. This is Chamber music for the 21st Century, and it simply sparkles.”  -Greg Haymes, The Times Union

 

 BIOGRAPHY

From popular song to classical virtue, New York-based Eric Margan and The Red Lions arrive on the scene with their stellar debut release Midnight Book.  Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist front man Eric Margan has created an original and sophisticated collection of 12 incredible tracks, resonating passion and pain on Midnight Book.  Drawing inspiration from Eric Margan’s classical roots, while blending a devotion and appreciation for modern jazz and rock, these unified and distinctive compositions will lead you on a theatrical and introspective musical journey, undoubtedly requiring some emotional investment.

 

Midnight Book, as the title might imply, is best experienced from “cover to cover.”  The album opens with “An Ocean Blue”, a swirling, seductive tapestry of orchestral grandeur, which seemingly emerges from the darkest depths of the piano and sets the stage for a colossal, metaphor-laden song cycle.  A somber tone blended with a distant glimpse of hopefulness in the song “Bay of Naples” pulls you in with its unhurried pulse, and glimmering hints of a lo-fi vibe reminiscent of Iron and Wine.  The haunting jazz-club ballad “You Are A Ghost” blends the lyrical style of Tom Waits and Sylvia Plath with the music of Nina Simone and Kurt Weill.  As the album progresses, Margan’s sense of ironic humor and lightness come into the spotlight, specifically highlighted in the musical free-for-all of “I’ll Never Know,” which somehow balances Spaghetti Western electric guitar with a French accordion waltz.

 

As the pages of Midnight Book turn, the love story that began so triumphantly begins to unravel in Margan’s “A Speckled Mind.”  With an impressionist painter’s touch he juxtaposes orchestral strings with a powerful yet poignant drum and bass polyrhythm.  “Disintegrate” resonates solemnly, yet introspectively, while concurrently featuring a radiating backdrop of Hammond organ and an impassioned guitar solo.  It undoubtedly foreshadows the conclusion of the album and acts as the inevitable calm before the storm.

 

The album’s standout “Old Man River” is the turning point in the story, full of grandiose and massively cinematic crescendo.  Margan’s colorful plot thickens to a soaring climax where we next become entangled in the story of an estranged marriage –complete with twists, turns, murder and revenge. Having battled and overcome the once brooding storm, the mood once again returns to a relative calm in “Down The Water”, before building to a spiritually-awakening wall of sound.  Inspired by 1960s pop, the ironically up-tempo song “The Blues Will Have To Do” further launches you into the intricate web of intrigue, imagination, and escape that he has built upon.  

 

While most bedtime stories would conclude with a fairy tale ending, Margan’s saga takes an unexpected turn into heartbreak and emotional desperation.  Swells of string orchestra and the stone foundation of The Red Lions rhythm section engulf the senses and resonate heavily on your heart as the once dream-like state of the story fades into a solemn trance of distress.  The unique acoustic guitar “Interlude” borrows chords from “A Speckled Mind.”  The title track, “Midnight Book,” is a surreal blend of jazz and classical flavors seamlessly integrated with modern influences.  

 

 Margan appropriately concludes his heavy narrative with the relatively bare instrumentation of strings, piano, voice and guitar in the final song “Without The Sun” – a weary and crushing farewell, to say the least.  And so Midnight Book closes upon its final chapter.  The last notes are imminent, chords prepared to leave their final impression – but not without a last fighting chance.  Clever lyrical depictions are painted firmly, leading one to wander from innocence to darkness, with skillful and unforeseen fulfillments, that surely leave you wanting more.

 

Born and raised in Columbia County of Upstate New York, Eric Margan’s musical endeavors started at just nine years old when he began studying flute.  It was when he turned 14 that the hobby had become a potential career.  He began treading new waters with the formation of his first band – a three-piece rock group in which he was a co-songwriter, bassist, and singer.  Margan furthered his bass skills by participating in various jazz ensembles and combos throughout his high school years.  Furthering his music studies at the College of St. Rose, he brought together his classical training with his passion for modern rock and live performance with the addition of the talented musicians that make up The Red Lions. 

 

This stellar line-up of musicians has been assembled to augment Margan’s music on stage and on Midnight Book after two years in the making.  Drummer Jim Bertini, bassists Scott Kellerhouse and Vince Chiarito, keyboardist Zachary Seman and guitarist/flutist/vocalist Johanna Warren are the Red Lions, who are nothing short of extraordinary.  Live performances and Midnight Book also feature various string, woodwind and brass players.  Eric Margan and the Red Lions are rapidly earning the respect and admiration of fans and bands alike by playing a multitude of shows in the Northeastern United States.

 

Like the intricate web of chords that reverberate throughout Midnight Book, Margan has delicately crafted a trail of musical experiences throughout his 22 years.  And while Midnight Book may pen a tragic tale in the end, his musical career ascends triumphantly with this mesmerizing introduction and hopes for a fairytale future.

 

Debut Release: Midnight Book (Self-Released, 3/17/09)

 

Track Listing:

1.     An Ocean Blue

2.     Bay of Naples

3.     You Are A Ghost

4.     I’ll Never Know

5.     A Speckled Mind

6.     Disintegrate

7.     Old Man River

8.     Down the Water

9.     The Blues Will Have To Do

10.  Interlude

11.  Midnight Book

12. Without The Sun

 

 

PRESS QUOTES:
“There are a number of acts that are currently creating music right now that I would call good, but I would have to downgrade them to “passable” just so I could get the proper amount of distance to the “great” that I would assess to Eric Margan & The Red Lions. “Midnight Book” should be seen as a “must-have” album…”-NeuFutur Magazine

 

“Eric Margan’s songs and aesthetic are from another time: His musical influences seem drawn entirely from before he was born. His jazz-leaning, ornate, orchestral pop is unlike anything that’s come out of the Capital Region in as long as we can remember, and the band’s busy gig schedule has amassed them a devoted, even defensive, fan base. Trust us: This band will be going places.”-John Brodeur, Metroland

 

“Elegant, sophisticated and refreshingly open-hearted, singer-guitarist Margan pens wonderfully literate and melodically inventive songs that he has orchestrated for a most unusual but oh-so effective ensemble of musicians featuring drums, bass, keyboards, violin and two flutes. This is chamber music for the 21st century, and it simply sparkles.” -Greg Haymes, The Times Union.

 

“Singer/songwriter Eric Margan’s unhurried melodies and subtle orchestrations are sweet and disarming. This accomplished multi-instrumentalist has been inspired by his time in the studio with folk and jazz heavy hitters Pete Seeger, Richie Havens and David Amram.” -Peter Wise, The Berkshire Fringe

 

A happy accident…went to The Rockwood Music Hall early one night and happened upon these guys. I knew they were something special because when I walked in the room ¾ of THE DIG (April Artist-Of-the-Month) were in the audience. Intoxicating vocals married with flute (and SO much more on the recorded stuff) and some really great material.
-BJ Barrat, NYC’s B-Line Entertainment 

For more information on Eric Margan and The Red Lions visit www.myspace.com/theredlions. Media inquiries can be made to Franesa Pyle at Franesa@noteworthypr.com or 518-852-1591