Its late fall of 2005 in Seattle. The foliation suggests the changing of seasons, and change is also looming for Jeremy McDermott, front man for the band Coho. On a cold day in November, the musician suffers the death of his best friend and band mate, Todd Kennemer. The two were part of the band, Midnight Triton, and had collectively been making music since 1997.
The news was devastating and life-changing, and change breeds change. With Todd's passing, Midnight Triton was put to rest, and life was given to a new project. In the wake of tragedy, McDermott set out to create the music he'd be dreaming of - music with huge beats, funky bass lines, large vocals and even larger guitar sounds.
He called this new project Coho and solicited the help of friends Nate Wright (beats), Chris Jordan (bass) and Brent Owen (guitar).
The band's influences are eclectic, from Dave Bazaan to The Notwist, The Flaming Lips to Neurosis, Tear for Fears to Bjork. They've studied up on their hip hop as well, finding as much in common with the Wu Tang Clan and Outkast as they do with Mogwai and Radiohead.
The full length record, Things Change, was released on Lujo Records on November 14th 2006, and is a blend of these influences. Think a slightly subdued Supergrass meets the early, raw emotion of Sunny Day Real Estate. Well, you'll just have to hear it. Coho's music is always down-to-earth; mellow at times, and wildly confrontational at other times, all the while boasting electronic textures and maintaining pop sensibilities. This delicate balance suggests the bands’ artistic maturity, as do the lyrics which are smart and soulful. And when McDermott and Owen align their vocals in the dark, troubled, yet strangely comforting manner that they do, expect nothing less than the sublime.
There is a new EP in the workings.
The Northwest has met it's new standard in the infectious beats and guitar-driven sounds of Coho. Listen for yourself.
More info available at www.lujorecords.com
Thanks to Nigel at Electricheat.org for the background art
