The Scarecrow Frequency is a project by John Argetsinger and Erica Sherman. We would like to state due to recent shitheads emailing us that: we don't make music that is widely devour-able to a broad audience. We write and create from the heart for us, not you. We are not interested in conveying anything that appeals to anyone in particular, we simply record for ourselves to help deal with the complexities and pressures of present day american society and especially urban living. It is an escape and a simple release of emotion which can be received in any number of ways. If a hand full of people can dig what we do, that's fine. John Argetsinger has been recording in his bedroom since 2003 and even with minor attention the goals are still the same, convey the sounds burried inside of us and if someone out there likes it, fine. If they don't, we aren't going to notice or a give a fuck anyway, the creative process is still the same. Lock yourself up at home, press record on the tape machine and see what comes out. If you can appreciate this sort of creative process we recommend you support our label Somber Atlantic Records as this is the ethic of all parties involved. It's honest and it's real and we would be doing it wether you or anyone was paying attention, regardless.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
The Scarecrow Frequency - Somber Atlantic Debut LP release ranked 798 in the Village Voice for critics top choices of 2007.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
Oh dear John,
I just returned from travels deep and wide through the great west, opened your cd, listened 4 times through, all frequencies wide open -- it's blowing through my heart like a wild wind. Thank you, dear friend, thank you so much, for your heart, your music, your spirit, your life . . .
Much love,
Creighton
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
"Shoegazing rock outfit the Scarecrow Frequency have put together an impressive album of post-rock nuances that fittingly are arranged such that the listener is forced to sit back and disengage himself or herself from the rest of the world. Aural atmospheres are conjured in a Mogwai-esque sort of way. Beautiful guitars and stirringly original instrumentals make “Somber Atlantic†a really enjoyable listen."
- J-Sin, Smother.net
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
"The Scarecrow Frequency — the nom de shoegaze of John Argetsinger, a New York-via-Alaska musician and photographer whose great, ghostly tunes remind me of both Bedhead and Come On Die Young-era Mogwai...
Argetsinger is as talented a music maker as he is a photographer. He recently released his debut full-length album under the moniker The Scarecrow Frequency — it's called Somber Atlantic (as is the name of the label he co-runs), and its slo-core/shoegaze guitar-centric sounds are atmospheric and arresting..."
- Michael Allan Goldberg, Seattle Weekly
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
"Downtempo and shoegaze are genres that are known for the emotion they convey. While most of the material emanating from the former carries a positive, almost erotic feeling, the latter is often riddled with depression and isolation. The combination of such sensations creates a feeling that many long for – a bittersweet wistfulness; a calm, somehow comforting nostalgia. John Argetsinger, the artist behind The Scarecrow Frequency, describes this sensibility through his words, pictures, and music. Somber Atlantic, his first effort, is a journey within his state of mind.
Somber Atlantic is composed of 13 short tracks, and although there is no actual link between them, it is an album to be played as a whole, as the brevity of each song conflicts with the long lasting nature of the emotions Argetsinger channels through his music, which is largely reduced when played randomly. Probably being intentional, this isn't a fatal flaw. The instrumental approach is rather classic, and anyone used to this genre shouldn't be caught off guard by the usual guitar effects, live drumming, occasional sampling, and slow, mellow vocals.
The opener, "1963," is a soundtrack to the famous "I have a dream..." speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington. Sadly, it doesn't strike any chords; at best, it left me wondering why Argetsinger chose this sample, with it so far removed from the mood of the rest of the album. The instrumental track, on the other hand, gives good insight as to the content of the album. A simple theme is played by looped guitars on top of a quiet drumline, setting a tranquil atmosphere while discreet samples are adequately thrown in to reinforce the feeling of movement. The lo-fi influence of the band Duster is felt in Argetsinger's use of low guitar tones; he takes pride in that reverence, as he dedicates a track to them. His music is most efficient when sustained by his lingering vocals, making the few sung tracks the highlights of the record ("And I'll Sell All My Nightmares," "For Duster," and "Sage Brush").
Sometimes, simplicity can produce deeper results than the most complex, interminably thought out effort. It might all depend on the intention and the attitude of the artist toward his art. Argetsinger tries to define himself through his music, and his sincerity is the reason it is worthwhile. It makes a harder job of explaining why Somber Atlantic, when listened to in the right disposition, is such an enjoyable record. When you dissect it and analyze each of its components, there's nothing particularly original or noticeable to find, and yet it is the perfect background to get lost in your thoughts, to bring back pleasant memories, or to travel to.
But simplicity has its disadvantages. Argetsinger spends so much energy building an atmosphere around the listener, pushing him in a specific corner of his train of thoughts, that it puts his music in a dangerous place; if the listener is in the appropriate mindset, all goes as planned, but if he isn't, The Scarecrow Frequency loses most of its virtue.
The music put out by self-taught, experimenting artists is often a mirror to their own personality. With a barrier of technicity being brought down, the reflection is more raw, less subtle, and harder to grasp. In fact, the lack of musical complexity is the biggest downside of Somber Atlantic, and even though Argetsinger's creation isn't aimed towards this aspect, it somehow reduces its efficacy in the long run. Even with this aside, it is an emotionally powerful record that will get many spins on lonely nights and endless introspective instants. Unfortunately, once these moments go, The Scarecrow Frequency will most likely find its way back to your shelf."
- Samy Bennaoui, The Silent Ballet
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
BUY THE ALBUM / $10.00 / FREE S&H / RADCORE-DIGIPACKS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++
My album Somber Atlatnic and similar artists from my label are available @
A I R P L A Y:106.5 FM / Radio K / Now Like Photographs / Minneapolis, Minnesota
88.1 FM / Radio Free Lexington / Lexington, Kentucky
90.3 FM / KDVS / California Police State / Davis, California
91.7 FM / KRTU / Music For Listeners / San Antonio, Texas
97.1 FM / KDVS / Roxanne and Kid A / Davis California
97.1 FM / KDVS / The Trouser Rebellion / Davis, California
88.1 FM / KRUA / Sweetheart Mixtape / Anchorage, Alaska
