Music
Press
“On their excellent debut, One Horse Shy deftly manages the delicate balance between intelligence and memorable melody, soul and song craft. Their heartfelt Americana is showcased on one of the finest CDs to come out of our local region. Given their charisma in live performance as well, they have quickly built a regional following and have clear potential for national recognition.”
--Eric Alan, Music Director, Jefferson Public Radio
- Eric Alan
"...Ashland-based country sextet One Horse Shy returned to Bend last weekend to perform a CD-release show for their new album “Better Life” at Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom. Fronted by singer-songwriters Manda Bryn and Chris Kelly, One Horse Shy is really a collection of some of the best songwriters and musicians in Oregon, including the great lap steel guitar player, Bob Evoniuk. As a result of their efforts, OHS has opened for the likes of Clint Black, Devil Makes Three and others and has been voted southern Oregon's best regional band.
Prior to the show, each member of the band was displaying a noticeable swagger, indicating that they were already finding their groove and settling into the venue (which was sporting a new and triumphant sound system). Smiles were abundant, especially on Bryan Helfrich, the band’s drummer, who also produced and engineered both of the band’s albums, as he explained that the band’s second set of the night would feature a complete trip through the new album from start to finish, a rarity in concert performances.
The first set contained all the hits from the first OHS album and started off with one of the more powerful songs, “Walls Of Time.” Instantly, the band transformed from jubilant out-of-town guests to country superstars. The sound was big and the talent almost overwhelming. Ezra Severin, the band’s mandolin player and Bryn’s fiancee, brought along nearly 20 harmonicas, using them often and with great skill. The band employs a variety of sounds — traditional bluegrass, Americana, blues, rock and folk — to create a country sound all its own, and is well on its way to becoming an Oregon treasure. They were lost in the music, true masters of their craft; they believe in the songs and relish the collective creativity. Small glances to one another, tightly woven instrumentation and big smiles kept the energy level high.
Many missed out on what may have been the best full-band live performance at Silver Moon so far this year. The lap steel guitar was brilliant, the lyrics were outstanding, and the fun on stage was addictive. One Horse Shy played the new album in full, as promised. With much more to say this time around, the thought-provoking lyrics on “Better Life” dive deeper into emotions and the world we live in than they did on the previous album... the night was easily a home run for both OHS and Silver Moon.
Here’s hoping One Horse Shy will be back soon and that the show will be more heavily promoted. This band deserves the attention of Bendites and Oregon at large.
- The Bend Bulletin
One Horse Shy is a Roots/Rock band that calls Ashland, Oregon home. Musically, the band mixes country rhythm, rock stance and bluegrass rambles pushed through classic Americana instruments such as mandolin, lap steel, Dobro, National guitars and accordion. Manda Bryn, with capable assistance from Cris Kelly, pours in vocals that are pure emotion and attitude. All of this would make for a great live show but what makes ‘Better Life’, their second effort, shine is the songwriting. Manda and Cris are singer/songwriters. They bring that style to the songs of One Horse Shy and channel their songs through a Roots/Rock sound. The results make for listening pleasure.
The story lines ride across haunting low end rumbles (“Ghostman”), bleed with plaintive confessions (“Monkeys’ Paw”), float over rhythms that move like mist (“Old Muddy River”) and sway on the front porch with the sound of a hot night singalongs (“Radio”). One Horse Shy creates feelings from sounds, emotion from words. ‘Better Life’ is given life by their songs. It is born on the belief that Manda Bryn has something to say and the vehicle to get the message across like a sage’s advice. - Alternate Root Magazine
Discography
Better Life (2010)--One Horse Shy's followup of all original material released April of 2010. Album has enjoyed great reviews and airplay from Seattle to Sacramento as well as domestic and European internet radio. Available on iTunes and CDBaby. Listen to selected tracks at www.onehorseshy.net
One Horse Shy (2008)--The bands debut, all original, self-titled album available on iTunes and CDBaby. Listen to selected tracks at www.onehorseshy.net
Photos
Bio
Rarely does a band emerge on the scene armed with six singers, six multi-instrumentalists and as many songwriters. Since coming together in 2007, One Horse Shy has not wasted any time getting down to business. In the span of only two years the band released their highly touted self titled debut album, as well as their recent follow-up, "Better Life". The band has been featured at such venues as the Peter Britt Festival, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival green show, the Wintergrass Festival, the Rogue Theatre, public radio’s West Coast Live and countless other appearances between San Antonio and Seattle. Capable of sending a packed house into a dancing frenzy, the band has engendered fans up and down the West Coast as well as points east as far as the British Isles and mainland Europe via Internet radio.
"One Horse Shy is a Roots/Rock band that calls Ashland, Oregon home. Musically, the band mixes country rhythm, rock stance and bluegrass rambles pushed through classic Americana instruments such as mandolin, lap steel, Dobro, National guitars and accordion. Manda Bryn, with capable assistance from Cris Kelly, pours in vocals that are pure emotion and attitude. All of this would make for a great live show but what makes ‘Better Life’, their second effort, shine is the songwriting. Manda and Cris are singer/songwriters. They bring that style to the songs of One Horse Shy and channel their songs through a Roots/Rock sound. The results make for listening pleasure.
The story lines ride across haunting low end rumbles (“Ghostman”), bleed with plaintive confessions (“Monkeys’ Paw”), float over rhythms that move like mist (“Old Muddy River”) and sway on the front porch with the sound of a hot night singalongs (“Radio”). One Horse Shy creates feelings from sounds, emotion from words. ‘Better Life’ is given life by their songs. It is born on the belief that Manda Bryn has something to say and the vehicle to get the message across like a sage’s advice." - Alternate Root Magazine
“On their excellent debut, One Horse Shy deftly manages the delicate balance between intelligence and memorable melody, soul and song craft. Their heartfelt Americana is showcased on one of the finest CDs to come out of our local region. Given their charisma in live performance as well, they have quickly built a regional following and have clear potential for national recognition.” - Jefferson Public Radio
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