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MUSIC Seaons unveil new CD, 'Aprilis,' at Imperial Event Center Free show is at Imperial Event Center in Medford Comment By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Don't let the lush, Utopian landscape on the cover of Seaons' new CD lull you into thinking you're in for a lighthearted listening experience. The 13 tracks on "Aprilis" tell a story of survival amid geologic upheaval on an apocalyptic scale. The concept album is a new direction for the Medford-based rock band. Its 2013 debut, "Sun Gun," was full of Seaons' early songs written as far back as 2008. They were full of upbeat pop and rock rhythms and a feel-good vibe. "It was 'dancier' and more fun," says lead guitarist Mica McCaw during a telephone interview from Colorado Springs. "It was full of different ideas and song styles, but the new one is about connecting ideas into one story. It's very deliberate and stays true to the theme of the human spirit and its tenacity of survival. We imagined earthquakes and flooding, a big part of the beginning of the album. Then we got even weirder and involved supernatural forces." The band members are big fans of concept albums and telling stories, McCaw says. Lead singer, guitarist and keyboard player Sean Siders is inspired by Pink Floyd's "The Wall," and the lead guitarist draws his inspiration from such sci-fi films as "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Children of Men." Bassist Grayson Phelps is into music by a rock band Mewithoutyou, a band that records distinctive music for each of their albums. "We also wanted to go for a grittier and darker sound, a recording that sounds more like the music we play live," McCaw says. "I don't think our first album captured our live shows. We wanted to record something that would translate well live." Recorded at Dennis Dragon's Studio at Pacifica in Williams and engineered by Dragon and Bret Levick, the new sounds on "Aprilis" are edgy, assertive and sometimes otherworldly. Siders' lead vocals are stronger — soaring in some places, catchy or soft in others. McCaw succeeds in his move from smooth to rough guitar riffs, and the rhythm section is held together well by bassist Phelps and drummer Alex Detweiler. "We wanted to delve into the idea of a new sound and get what we could out of it," McCaw says. Running under the harder rock sounds, the danceable and pop-like rhythms of Seaons' early music can be heard here and there. "There are a few songs on 'Aprilis' that get people tapping their feet," McCaw says. "I've noticed people who start bobbing their heads and moving their bodies, which always is fun." Seaons will perform "Aprilis" from beginning to end at a CD release party to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Imperial Events Center, 40 N. Front St., Medford. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is free. The new CD will be available for $10 at the show. It was drummer Detweiler who helped the band find new ground while recording "Aprilis." "For that we are eternally grateful," McCaw says. "But we parted ways after the recording was finished." Andrew John signed on as drummer just before the band left in January to take the new music on the road for a national tour. On the road for about six weeks now, Seaons toured California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri and Kentucky, along with a string of shows in Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana. "We're playing Colorado Springs tonight," McCaw says. "Then Salt Lake City, Boise, Portland and back to Medford." A hands-on, do-it-yourself group from the beginning, McCaw and Grayson did most of Seaons' tour bookings themselves. "We wanted to learn how to do it on our own," McCaw says. "There are some cool websites with lists of places to play. We started booking shows about six months ago, and it's turned out really well. If someone comes along and wants to help us do something really cool or take us to the next level, we'll know what to do. We'll know if we should just do it ourselves." Siders was able to produce "Aprilis" at his home studio, a skill he learned while recording "Sun Gun" at Levick's studio. "Bret's an awesome producer, and Sean was able to take that knowledge and produce our second album himself," McCaw says. By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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