The Eames Era

Bio:
Low-fi garage pop five piece The Eames Era formed in the fall of 2002 around a group of friends at Louisiana State University. The clean and angular melodies, the workman rhythms and luminous vocals reference the aesthetics of the design duo Charles and Ray Eames from which the band takes their name. Like the high design of the 50's, The Eames Era blends availability with an informed sense of the history of their craft. The band recorded a self-titled EP in February of 2003 including the three original tracks "Breakfast (I Said)," "Lunch," and "Dinner (Industry Leaders) ". The Eames Era's live shows have drawn attention since they started playing around Baton Rouge, a much-needed shot of sweet rock sounds.

The band played as frequently as their school schedule allowed, while also finding time to make their first legitimate recordings. Released in summer 2004 on manager Frank McMains' C-Student Records label, “THE SECOND EP” drew rave reviews in the local press. “Could Be Anything,” the disc's buoyant lead track, was featured on Abercrombie & Fitch's website, leading to an explosion of nationwide college radio airplay, as well as the song's inclusion in not one but two TV programs – ABC's hit Gray's Anatomy and the Canadian teen soap, Falcon Beach .

Spring 2005 saw the band finally graduating, holding degrees in one hand and a bright new album in the other. “DOUBLE DUTCH” reflects the long hours and care put into it by the Eames Era, melding Phillips' charismatic vocals over a meticulously constructed tableau of spiraling sugar-crunch guitars and kinetic rhythms. Produced by the band with their longtime friend, the Myrtles' keyboardist Casey McAllister, “DOUBLE DUTCH” is abundant with bubblegum melodies and infectious powerpop hooks. However, a closer look at songs such as the whimsical “I Don't Mind” – described by Phillips as “a hypothetical trip to the Arctic” – reveal far more going on than first meets the eye.

“We wanted to create the perception of simplicity,” Widmer says. “That's why we chose to name the record after a kid's jump rope game and package it in these candy colors. It's harder to make complicated things simple than it is to just write simple crap.

The album closes with “Promises,” the set's most elongated and structurally moment, wrapping things up with a hint of possible future directions. “It puts the bow on the package,” Phillips says. “It lets everyone know that we're not just this poppy band, there are other sides to the music.”

Discography:

The Second [EP] Double Dutch

Singles & EP

2004 - The Second [EP] - (C-Student)

Albums

2005 - Double Dutch - (C-Student) - ****

Genre:
Indie Pop

Musicians:
Ashlin Phillips - vocals
Greg Gauthreaux - drums
Brain Waits - bass
Grant Widmer - guitars
Ted Joyner - guitars

Similar artists:
Letters to Cleo, Rilo Kiley, Velocity Girl

Influences:
Beatles, Pixies, Sleater-Kinney

Homepage:
http://www.theeamesera.com

Location:
Baton Rouge, NO, USA