entheos

At Jekyll and Hyde’s, I caught the last several songs by entheos, a local Pop/Rock group fronted by co-lead singers Alison and Carl Shepard, a brother/sister duo who were joined by a super-tight drummer. The group’s recorded material mixes electronic beats and flavoring into their gentle, lilting, often acoustic-based Pop mix, so I was a bit surprised to walk in and hear them playing some pretty high-energy stuff, with distorted electric guitar from the skillful Carl. The electro stuff is fairly muted on their record and, in the live setting, even more so. It took me a while to figure out where the bass guitar sound was coming from; I thought at first maybe it was a ghost, then perhaps that I was hallucinating (it’s been a long few days). But the bass was embedded in the sequenced backing tracks, which made it even more impressive because a) you hardly noticed there was a backing track and b) the band played with some pretty dynamic song shifts and structures, but never missed a change or beat.

As one might expect from a bro/sis singing twosome, the harmonies were phenomenal. And I was especially drawn in by Carl’s guitar playing, which touched on U2-like atmospherics at times (fittingly, the soundman played U2’s Joshua Tree at the close of their set). The turnout was so-so, but filled up gradually: Carl at one point said, “Can I get a one, two, three … MidPoint!” Silence. “Anybody? MidPoint? Well, I’m excited.”

- MB - Citybeat

· Like a Cincinnati version of Everything But The Girl, local duo entheos combines a folksy song base with electronic additives to come up with an airy, beat-driven sound that they refer to as "Dream Pop." Consisting of the brother/sister team of Carl Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass and electronic programming) and Alison Shepard (vocals, keyboards, percussion), entheos release their self-titled debut album Saturday in conjunction with a show at the York Street Café in Newport with special guests Ashley Peacock, Joanie Whittaker and Philosopher's Stone.

The electronic augmentation on the disc is, like much of the recording, sparse and minimal, as they rely mainly on acoustic guitar and the pair's strong dual vocal approach (which results in some really impressive harmony work). Carl Shepherd is a great guitarist, and his fluttering acoustic playing guides much of the disc, while the emotive songwriting is solid, particularly on the dynamic centerpiece "Mecca." Despite the excellent performances and writing, the disc feels a little too light and empty at times, depending largely on the absorbing melodic swell to fill up the space. It sounds like the duo is going for a spacious, ethereal sound, which can be highly potent when it works. But, ultimately, entheos' debut sounds too skeletal and demo-like to be wholly effective. The twosome report that they have developed more of a Trip Hop sound recently, with this recording being more representative of their acoustic roots. It's a nod in the right direction for this promising pair, who have the potential to be much more than this disc would indicate.

- Citybeat c/o Mike Breen

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?
Electronic rock with trip-hop grooves.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR MUSIC?
So many things. Lyrically, entheos is inspired by life experience. Many of our songs are about having a sense of wonder towards the world around us and what makes us tick.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF PLAYING LIVE?
Performing is such a rush. It’s also pretty humbling. The best part of it is when you forget yourself and you just let it flow and connect.

WHAT DOES “TRUE MUSIC” MEAN TO YOU?
True music is something that seems to come through a person rather than from them. True music has a sense of urgency, a driving desire to come out and be heard.
- CinWeekly c/o Cincinnati Enquirer

http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A142659

Locals Only: : entheos
Acoustic duo evolves into full-on electric Dream Pop band
BY C.A. MacConnell | Posted 10/31/2007


entheos




At the MidPoint festival this year, I wandered into New Stage Collective, pleasantly happening upon breathy, soul-driven tunes that poured out from the theater, spilling down the stairs like a long, thick, earth-toned tongue, a rolling carpet made of open-throated sound.
The band, entheos, was fully in mood-setting action when I reached the upstairs and peered in on the warmly-lit stage. Brother-sister team Alison Shepard (vocals, keys, art) and Carl Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass, programming) let their voices intertwine, creating captivating harmonies -- the kind that burrow into the chest's center, settling inside. The music resonated, digging deep, targeting a gamut of emotions, giving life to their well-matched voices, both innocent and engaging. With drummer Justin Webb holding down beats, there was something striking about the soft yet fiery trio.

Perhaps that's why their name, entheos (say "in-thay-aws") is so fitting. Literally, the word means, "having the God within." Although the music is catchy and the live sound combines electronic elements with smart, pushing, energetic drums underneath the melody, there's also a clear voice, a lyrical undercurrent of hope.

Alison explains, "We would even go so far as to say that the message is more important than the music itself ... the music is a vehicle for expressing the hope of love."

Wearing five silver hoops in his left ear, Carl, a bass/guitar instructor at Keller Music, plays in numerous cover bands.

He studied at Chillicothe's The Recording Workshop.

"In the past few weeks, I've probably picked up 40 new songs," Carl says. "Learning all that stuff obviously is time consuming, but I'm using a lot of the money from cover bands to record our album."

Also a visual artist, Alison looks sharp in her v-necked red coat; she has striking, alluring eyes and despite an age gap, she and Carl look enough alike that they could be twins.

The duo originally played mostly acoustic gigs. In 2004, entheos recorded their first self-titled EP. Labeled "Dream Pop" or "Trip Hop," entheos' first effort held acoustic hooks and trademark harmonies with production influence by Paul J. Falk.

"He had a similar music aesthetic," Alison says. "We wanted to take it to the next level and use a lot of electronic sounds and give our sound more space and atmosphere."

She mentions Massive Attack and groups that embrace classic electronic sounds. But entheos' EP only shows the shell of what they sound like live. After working together for three more years and adding drummer Justin Webb in 2005, entheos has clearly evolved into something more intense, complex and multi-faceted instrumentally.

Justin (formerly of Caustic Edge) sports star and flame tattoos on the undersides of his arms. He explains his background like this: "Always drums." He's been picking up beats since he was 2 years old.

This month, the band will hit the studio hard, working on their new album.

"The new CD will be a world of difference from the EP," Alison says. "It'll be more plush and layered."

Carl says, "Now we have distorted guitar stuff and the drummer. Yeah, we're a Trip Hop band, but lyrically we're trying to serve. I've never been attracted to any kind of negative lyric. A lot of times, it's our music that people hear. Then the message."

Justin agrees: "It is its own entity. I really don't like bands that are superficial. That's what sets this band apart. We have the same belief system."

"We want to make people seduced by the sounds and later become interested in the message," Alison explains. "We acknowledge the struggles in life, but we want our music to be about transcending that and realizing that the light is always there ... love has the power to heal. Even in the temporal nature of existence, love is the one thing that is eternal and love is present and available if we choose to have the eyes to see it and believe it. When we believe it, we are open to receiving it."

All around, a positive energy lurks about the room when these three come together. An underlying presence, if you will. Not a ghost, but a spirit, an energy nonetheless.

C.A. MacConnell - Citybeat

I wandered in on a real gem at New Stage Collective. Local band Entheos played the cozy theater space. Inside, there was orange-reddish-bluish cool lighting, and the energy was positive and warm. This talented trio (including a bro and sis team on vocals) reminded me somewhat of Seattle's atmospheric band Sky Cries Mary, and Entheos had some right-on, engaging harmonies that really sparked my attention. I was impressed. Enough that I bought the CD. Their sensitive, airy harmonies shone, but they could hammer it out too. The drummer led them into harder territory here and there. A passionate mix of sweet and stirring, their uplifting, airy, fresh, soul-filled, deep, gorgeous music (is that enough adjectives?) sounded nearly ethereal — touching and angelic. Watch out for this band — very together, bright. Definitely my favorite of the evening.

C.A. MacConnell - Citybeat

Grampie, my Mom’s dad, was a kind man with a near-photographic memory. To memorize lengthy sermons, he glanced at them. Once.

One night, we were all messily eating his homegrown blueberries in Bear Lake, Mich. Wearing her tan, wraparound skirt, Grammie passed me the pale blue sugar bowl and Grampie started telling a joke. Usually a master of detail, he forgot the punchline. Strange. Grammie told me to check on his minnow bucket.

Over time, Alzheimer’s disease took Grampie full force. Visiting, I saw his steady decline firsthand. Right before he died, he asked me, “Who are you, pretty girl?”

So I’m touched by entheos’ upcoming EP release party, a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association. (Their friend lost her grandfather to the disease.)

Alison Shepard (vocals, keys, percussion) says, “We felt passionate about donating some of the door money to a charity so that it wasn’t just about, ‘Hey, look at us.’ ”

Wearing pearly, dangling earrings, Alison’s a vibrant soul — confident, yet humble. An art teacher at Thomas More College, her speaking voice echoes, the natural tone of a singer. The sound carries. I think those earrings are shells.

A full-time musician, Alison’s brother Carl Shepard (vocals, guitar, bass) started writing songs at 15. With straight, streaked hair and silver jewelry, he's colorful, but his voice is consistent and soothing; he appears perpetually mellow.

But wait: Carl also has a hidden, rambunctious look. Like he might take a nap. Or tear some shit up. Hard to tell.

Next, welcome full-time drummer Justin Webb. On his arms, Justin sports fiery star tattoos. On his ears, hoop and diamond earrings, and he says straight up what’s on his mind.

Justin gets personal quickly and, when he does, he doesn’t look down. Eye contact and heart here.

Entheos’ 2009 sophomore EP, Sense, was recorded by a slew of talented sound engineers, including locals Matt Parmenter (“a mover and a shaker,” Alison says of the now-Austin-based musician/knob-twiddler) and Chris Schmidt. Former Cincinnatian Chris Estes mixed two tracks in Nashville, and for mastering entheos recruited Trevor Sadler from Grammy Award-winning Mastermind Productions.

Alison and Carl share vocals, pushing out soaring angelic harmonies, altering leads. With more electric guitar and Webb’s drumming on this release, the overall feel is fuller and more intense than the band’s previous work.

“It’s got Trip Hop elements, but it sounds more organic," Justin says. "We have more effects and overdubbed vocals, which makes the live performance more exciting. There’s a lot of color to the music, a lot of emotion.”

Alison comments, “As far as my chops, I’m not as skilled as Justin and Carl, but I love to sing. I can do what I need to for this band. I understand music theory and Carl and I write melodies and lyrics together.”

“Seriously, it’s really Alison and me trying to keep up with him,” Carl says about Webb. “It’s like when people don’t notice you, that’s when they notice you. He’s constantly working on his technique, constantly. Even right after gigs, he’s practicing.”

“He’s definitely the most talented in the band,” Alison adds. “I’m not ashamed of it. Dude’s badass. We’re lucky to have him.”

Webb responds, “My point of view about music and drumming is that it’s all an art. It’s not a competition. It’s not the technique — that’s already been done. It’s what you do with your technique that’s going to separate you from other musicians. The key point of being a professional musician is making the right musical decisions. ”

Simply, they dig each other and what each one does. And their collective positive nature comes across in the uplifting sound. Alison refers to the trio as a “family-type band.”

“We’ve had most of our success at art openings, private parties, churches and parks,” she says. “I don’t care if we play in bars or not. We’re proud of the music that we make. (It) feels like it’s bigger than us.”

Music. Curiously bigger than all of us. Mysterious connection between notes. Now that’s something. Like my Grampie, not easy to forget.

ENTHEOS (www.entheosmusic.com) hosts an EP release show Saturday at The Redmoor with A Side of Taylors and The Cla-zels. Get event and venue details here. - Citybeat by C.A. MacConnell