ECHOREV

“… Find North is the perfect record to let your thoughts fly and just, for once, to let go… with their opener “Still” ECHOREV tempts the listener into a different world…’Cycles of Dreamers’ shows that ECHOREV is not only musical but also can be as complex lyrically… “ - Das Musikmagazin

“… while you notice the extraordinary quality of the rhythm section in the background, Johnny’s soulful voice brings the songs…to an ethereal level…the listeners can be excited for an interesting sound experience, that isn’t half as innovative as Björk’s new record, but twice as good…” - Crazewire.de

Hovering between Alt-Pop and illustrious dark Indie, the charmingly diverse Echorev manage to orchestrate industrial backbeats within lyrical anti-anthems – The album `Find North` sounds far superior than the attached debut tag on this release. Overall individuality is pretty rare these days, Echorev`s colourful promo photo`s and contrasting album art mirror the bands musical style and vocal awareness. I actually feel quite sad when the last track is fading from it`s final chords – although the repeat button is always obsessively pressed. - MOJOPHENIA

“Just chill,” says Echorev through their latest album Find North. “Curl up with our sensitive and understanding lyrics, envelope yourself in our serene, genial vocals, and escape the abrasive world in which you live.”

And what choice is there? My advice? Push play for the first time on this one only when you are able to commit to 32 minutes of peace and reverence. “Explosions” is a great mood transformer after a long day at work (however, the loudly missing rainfall sound effect is ever-present at the end). The star of this album is the song “Sparks” with a pleasant beat, beautiful hooks, and relatable yet artistic lyrics: “I swear we’ve met before, somewhere perhaps we were not born, two sparks dancing in the dark, where time could not keep us apart.”

With anthem quality and many a sing-a-long moment in all tracks, I’m highly anticipating some west coast love in the form of a live show from Echorev who is currently spending the majority of their touring time on the east coast and in Europe - The Owl Mag

Eight songs is generous for an EP, and likewise, Echorev is generous with its use of sound and ideas. These largely understated songs are chock full of interesting loops and rhythms, elements which coalesce into modestly dramatic pieces.

A bit counterintuitive, I suppose, but the method works. And while the music is largely assembled, its mellow musings sound quite organic. Echorev has created a striking reality.

This one won't hit you upside the head, but after a few songs you just might feel that way. The quiet power of this disc is undeniable. Quietly impressive. - Aiding and Abetting

Yes, Echorev frontman Johnny Nicholson has a voice softer than velvet and a face worth swooning over. But beyond this alluring façade lies pure talent. The Geyserville native joined forces with experimental German drummer Jörn Biefeldt and singer-songwriter-bassist Ann Driscoll to form the band, and the result, evidenced on their album, Find North, is a sound that’s warmer than a winter scarf and smoother than fine whiskey. - The Bohemian

Echorev's EP Find North is more like an album because it features eight songs and lasts 30 plus minutes. Diverse in its approach and its sound, Find North is an atmospheric, airy, and moody record that sounds like a more stable Radiohead. Blending hooks with moods and quiet riffs with dance beats, Echorev manage to make songs out of things that shouldn't really be songs.

Debating whether or not to head to the stars or stay grounded seems to be a conundrum for Echorev. They seem to want to do both and sometimes at the same time. Thankfully, it works to their advantage because Find North sounds so unique in its direction and contains songs that are mesmerizing. "The Light," for example slowly builds from a gentle breeze to a full on horn driven pop hurricane; it's epic pop to say the least.

Far from short and sweet Find North is one heck of an atmospheric pop record that goes a long way towards defining what makes temperamental and epic pop what it is. This is emotionally weighty and gorgeous sounding stuff. Find North is highly recommended for wintery nights, blustery days, and anyone that's had a bad day; so most of us then. - POP! Stereo

The ambient, indie rockers ECHOREV are set to release their debut album, Find North, tomorrow, Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Describing their music as “both a form of accessible pop-music and an eclectic, not-so-traditional mix derived from all of our individual influences,” ECHOREV sets out to use their diverse backgrounds in order to create their own recognized sound.

The worldwide trio consists of Johnny Nicholson from California, Jörn Bielfeldt from Germany, and Ann Driscoll of Ohio. Their home ties across the globe have given them a diverse mixture of inspirations that have created a new blend of indie rock music, crafted with instruments like the guitar, synthesizer, button-accordion, and processed drums.

Beginning as just Johnny and Jörn in 2009, it was the help of Ann’s vocals, songwriting and multi-instrumentalism that allowed them to truly define their sound. With influences ranging from Neil Young to Andrew Bird, and even Nirvana, ECHOREV has been able to harness a wide variety of inspiration to create their debut album, Find North, which marries, “classic emotional storytelling with texture and abstraction.” ECHOREV’s future promises to be exciting and ever changing as they continue to break and experiment with musical boundaries, - AAA Music

Johnny Nicholson: Indie Music Artist of the Week

Singer/songwriter Johnny Nicholson reflects a deep and diverse talent. Unafraid to venture into new territory, he’s lived in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Europe. Nicholson’s motley of adventurous explorations in geography is paralleled with his musical styles. He can play it all, from pop folk, to reggae, to smooth lullabies, to rock.

Grown in Geyserville, CA, Johnny picked up the violin at age five and the guitar at age seven, he has been writing, recording, and performing for the better part of his life.

"Ultimately, Nicholson is an artist you would take with you to celebrate, to ponder, and to live. While his sound is predominantly smooth and calming, Nicholson also produces music to match the many moods of life. Easy to relate to, the singer/songwriter seamlessly tells snippets of his autobiography…" (Lauren Proctor, Northeast Indie In Tune)

By January 2010, Johnny will have graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he has been studying, practicing his craft, and building Monkey Rock (TM) Presents/Records/Apparel. Johnny founded Monkey Rock in 2006. The organization has grown into a community comprised of artists and friends, from all over the world, who support each other by working, promoting, and performing as a group. May ‘08, Johnny released his first EP (available on iTunes), March ‘09, Johnny was selected to work in a songwriting workshop with Paul Simon, and June ‘09, Monkey Rock had a featured article in The Boston Globe. In September ‘11, Johnny will release a new record with a new project called ECHOREV - taking the music farther...

Together with a network of artists from all over the world, Johnny continues to write, record, and perform. - Mike Wilson On October - 19 - 2009

Singer/songwriter Johnny Nicholson reflects a deep and diverse talent. Unafraid to venture into new territory, he’s lived in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Europe. Nicholson’s motley of adventurous explorations in geography is paralleled with his musical styles. He can play it all, from pop folk, to reggae, to smooth lullabies, to rock.

Ultimately, Nicholson is an artist you would take with you to celebrate, to ponder, and to live. While his sound is predominantly smooth and calming, Nicholson also produces music to match the many moods of life. Easily to relate to, the singer/songwriter seamlessly tells snippets of his autobiography and recounts his thoughts about leaving for Europe and returning to the United States.

Nicholson’s string melodies are appealing, but what’s most striking about the singer/songwriter is his voice. Organic and rich, his full-toned vocals are so authentic and full that it almost sounds as if Nicholson is singing only for you. His voice sounds familiar like Shawn Mullins, yet it’s also something entirely fresh and new.

Singing about the struggles of growing as a person as you go out on your own to try to succeed, “Too Serene” has a hopeful and optimistic tone. The assured backdrop of drums and guitar, even behind lyrics that remind us that success only comes with dedication, tells you confidently that you can in fact, make it on your own.

“Lonely Parade” sees Nicholson venturing more into the rock genre. This emotive track features Eastern sounding textures as Nicholson’s vocals weave in and out of both calm and urgent emotion.

“SYA”, one of Nicholson’s upbeat and pop sounding tracks, boasts lively melodies and a catchy series of string progressions. The song is absorbing from the affable introduction, and before it’s over you’ll find yourself singing along with Nicholson’s chorus. The type of track that can’t stay on repeat long enough, “SYA,” like much of Nicholson’s music, brings you in with compelling storytelling and keeps you listening with its addictive musical flare.

By: Lauren Proctor

http://www.northeastintune.com/index.php?bd=reg&sb=land&article=020707 - Indie In-Tune

"Real. Very Real music pouring from a different couldron than the gamy comercial vat. I can listen to you guys til dawn. i'm wearing out the pixels of the repeat button... Singer is accomplished. Falsetto is very effective. Out of the ordinary lyrics- I love 'before i die trying to live'... You guys are unfeigned and authentic." - Dean Wolfe

http://www.garageband.com/threesheets - Garageband.com