The Drowned Coast Review

An Ohio based magazine had a review printed in it.

Zephuros
The Drowned Coast
Self-Released, 2008
by Jill Mapes

It becomes clear that whether entirely purposeful or otherwise, Zephuros, AKA former OU student Kevin Meyer, draws most of his inspiration from nature. Ducks, egrets, whales, flies, squirrels, leopards, foxes, grizzly bears, meadowlarks and roebucks (a European deer, to be exact) can be found roaming throughout The Drowned Coast as freely as they would in a peaceful meadow.

While it is a gentle voice similar to Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie) that sings Zephuros’ songs, Meyer’s musical style is comparable to those of Sufjan Stevens and Andrew Bird, a multi-instrumentalist with whom Meyer has shared the stage. It is here on The Drowned Coast that Meyer’s multi-instrumentalist background and Andrew Bird affinity seem to surface. There is a full orchestra of OU students at the helm of Zephuros’ musical departure from his first self-release effort, The Black Gull. Providing an interlude between each song and accompaniments throughout all 16 tracks, the orchestra’s high-flying flutes, meandering clarinets and plucky piano parts provide the musical variation needed to set The Drowned Coast apart from other acoustic albums.

While The Drowned Coast may leave listeners yearning for a bit more edge, closing tracks like “Mount Rainier” and “Emerald Sea,” which tells the story of an immigrant deer attempting to make his way to the U.S., prove themselves as rightfully climactic and hugely dramatic. As “Emerald Sea” progresses, it becomes clear that it is more about a family separated by distance than an antlered mammal.

By the impression left by his music, Meyer comes off as the type of person who, despite eye-rolling annoyance from certain friends, would just feel wrong setting up mouse traps or squashing a bug. Perhaps what feels wrong above all, however, is that The Drowned Coast’s seemingly simple acoustic songs about animals can, and at some point probably will, bring listeners to tears. The reason for this is simple: Zephuros’ wildlife lyrics reflect more insight into human nature than those of many young singer-songwriters today

*(Parts of this review have been published previously by SpeakeasyMag.com)

Read it here (pdf)

January Shows

It seems I may have been booked for a show next week Jan 21st at the 400 Bar. However, the booking man said I could have it if I can draw some people. Unfortunately I know very very few amounts of people here.

Oh well, we shall see if he still gives me the show.

The gig at the end of the month depends if an artist is a no show or not. But it looks like (so far) I should stay true to my musical resolution of trying to play at least one show every month this year. Seeing as I don't have the luxury of Athens' music scene.

Upcoming albums to watch for this month:
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

I believe they all come out on Jan 20th.

Cheers.

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2009 (a week late)

I've been trying to get on some bills, but it seems like without any luck to this point. Oh well. I think a musical goal for me this year would be to try to play one gig every month. I think it could be possible, however, probably unlikely seeing as I have very few contacts here in Minnesota.

Another goal would be to record again. But since I have absolutely no money at this point, that really isn't feasible.

I did finally pay off my recording debts for The Drowned Coast, so hooray to being broke again. But hooray for not having that looming over my head.

Been working on some new stuff. Recently one about an Owl and a Lion family. I'm really digging the chord progression. So perhaps I can string together some lyrics and make it a song.

Other than that, no real big news to post.

Cheers.