New Copy
Paint and Copter have been performing together since 2003, mostly in their home base of Portland, Oregon. The group derives its inspiration via extended improvisations that channel and reflect on the human exploits and follies we read about each day. These are edited down to song-like structures that are then relearned and enhanced with vocals and other instrumentation for recordings and live performances.
"Paint and Copter blend various archaeological layers of the Prog impulse into a spacey terrine midway between Meddle-era Floyd and Pell Mell." (The Wire - September 2011)
"Already on heavy rotation hereabout, 'Lunar Galleon', offers up a heady dreamscape of late night psychedelia, ambient textures, righteous noise and plain weirdness. Main man Andy Brown (at whose place this was recorded) shares vocal duties with guest member Mae Starr from Moodring, an often back-of-the-mix combination that simply adds to the otherworldly vibe. Stand out tracks are pretty much everywhere but include the opiated “Everyone Wins”, the lysergic and unsettling “Plans for Escape”, the Starr-crossed “Stunned”, the growling and scary “Alchemy Lab” and that Floydian slip of a thing, “Ruination” which winds up these marvellous proceedings. So there we have it - music for Shapeshifters to watch the Sci-Fi channel to, and right up there near the top of what is proving to be a hugely rewarding batch of Rumbles this month." (Terrascope - March 2010)
"The music of Paint and Copter has a decidedly amorphous quality, a slippery, formless sound akin to watching a splash of half and half warp into long white ribbons in a cup of black coffee...P and C finds itself altering the songs as a reaction to both the space in which it is playing and the films that Frank creates for the band to play against (which can be anything from heavily distorted Vietnam War footage to homemade secret-agent movies)...Onstage, the door of influence swings between the audio and visual inspirations. P&C finds as much inspiration in current events as it does in its musical interests." (Willamette Week - Aug 21st, 2008)
"A groove-laden melting pot of guitars, pattering drums, synths and various acoustic instruments, with vocals dropping in and out as the tracks evolve."
(Terrascope - December 2008)
Bios
Andy Brown (keyboard, drums, vocals, bass) was first known for his keyboard and production work with 90's space-rock band Jessamine (Kranky records). He has also been a key member of electric fusion band Fontanelle (Kranky), ambient duo Southerning (Histrionic, Drunken Fish), experimental improvisers Project Perfect (Community Library, Red 76), weird rock band, Miss Massive Snowflake and synth/dance band, Coronation. In addition to performing live, he has lent his production expertise to many Northwest U.S. groups such as Magnog (Kranky), Swoon 23 (Tim/Kerr), Bering Sea (Red 76), Growing (Kranky), Nudge (Audra Glint, Kranky), Jackie-o Motherfucker (ATP, Fire), Moodring (Nillacat) and Rollerball (Silber).
David Tollefson (guitar, effects) has created two solo, ambient guitar works on Hypnos records and two more collaborations with Hynos founder Mike Griffin under the Viridian Sun name. In Bering Sea (Red 76), Dave worked with drummer Michael Henrickson of Evolutionary Street Jass Band (Community Library) to create expansive, improvisation-based guitar and drum compositions.
Josh Blanchard has been an important fixture in the Oregon music world for several years. He has booked shows for Portland clubs 17 Nautical Miles and Someday Lounge as well as The Space in Salem. In addition, Josh has helped form a diverse collection of bands over the years, including Point Line Plane, Plants and most recently, Coronation.
Jason Frank (lap steel, guitar, samples, effects [2005 - 20011]) has been creating experimental video compositions since the turn of the century. Several of his short films have screened at international film festivals in Nagoya, New York, Pamplona and Tel Aviv. Years of live video manipulation with musical accompaniment for various artists and more focused work in Valet with Honey Owens (Nudge, World, Jackie-o Motherfucker) have allowed Jason to hone his talents and experience in this area.
Jason and Andy have also curated a monthly experimental audio/video viewing party at the Someday Lounge in Portland, Oregaon called Hexasion from 2007 to 2009. In addition, they have collaborated on several video installations at clubs and galleries in Portland.
Paint and Copter are often joined on record and occasional live performances by Mae Starr and/or Monte Trent Allen of the bands Rollerball and Moodring.