Dead Feather Moon to perform entire upcoming album to promote crowd-funding effort

By Jen Van Tieghem | SDUN Reporter

In early 2012, I was toying with the idea of starting a local music blog. I had just started to see what San Diego’s music scene had to offer and thought it worth exploring further. Then I witnessed Dead Feather Moon.

The first time I saw a full live set by the quintet I was standing in the intimate, shadowy expanse of The Griffin. When the band took the stage they possessed a chemistry that simply electrified the Bay Park club. The dynamic of the group was just as enthralling on hard rock jams as it was on softer, soulful numbers — which is no easy feat in a live context. My admittedly visceral reaction to the band inspired me to share their music with anyone who’d lend an ear. As with anything else I become enamored with, I just had to spread the word. And with that, I started my blog two days later.

Now, two years later, Dead Feather Moon’s performances still provoke the same sense of awe and adoration in me — albeit a lot more folks now share my enthusiasm. As one of the most buzzed-about local acts, they stamped their mark on the scene in 2011 with their debut album, Dark Sun. It won them the San Diego Music Award for Best Alternative Album and an onslaught of loyal fans. They’ve since played up and down the west coast, with their San Diego shows becoming beloved, packed congregations of rock worship — presenting fan favorites and introducing new songs that are now taking shape as their sophomore record, to be released later this year.

“The songs for the new album are ones that have been developed over the past three years,” said Greg Peters, multi-instrumentalist for the band. “They have stood the test of time, been road tested live, and put under the microscope at the studio.”

Peters and his musical brethren recently recorded what he calls “the first phase” over six days at Big Fish Studios in Rancho Santa Fe. Along with Justen Berge (singer/guitarist), Tyler Soule (drummer), Jesse Kling (guitarist),and Chris Bowling (bassist), Peters and company are pouring a lot of time and energy in to this one.

“We tracked [this record] live to two-inch tape, which definitely made the process more time consuming, but we are very, very happy with the results,” Peters explained. “Over the next two months we will continue recording the final touches … we are taking our time with this one and getting it right.”

Like many bands, DFM aren’t easily defined – their sound possesses elements of country, rock and blues. But the songs from Dark Sun (and their more recently released singles) showcase the individual members’ talents at building intricately layered songs, becoming more stylistically experimental.

The 2013 single, “Never Gets Better,” is a prime example of this layering with its ethereal mixture of lap steel guitar ringing out behind Berge’s soulfully yearning voice. Juxtaposed with the anthemic rock tune, “Always Around,” which was released at the same time, these two songs give a snapshot of the diverse styles they play and just how well they pull off both ends of the spectrum.

With dedication and time invested, the tight-knit band’s efforts have paid off in solidifying them as one of the most sought-after bands in town; a group that continues to grow as musicians, challenging themselves to produce the highest quality music they can. That endeavor, of course, comes at a price.

“As you know, recording an album can be a very expensive process, especially if you want it done right,” Peters lamented. “The band is absorbing as much of the costs as possible, but the reality is it will cover about half of what is needed. We don’t want a lack of funds to prevent us from making the best record possible.”

After careful consideration, the band has decided to launch a group-funding campaign with Indiegogo to help fund the production of the new record. This popular format gives fans a chance to back a project with financial contributions.

“We are viewing the campaign as an album presale,” Peters said. “Backers are not just giving us money, they are pre-ordering a limited edition, first-pressing vinyl.”

There will also be higher contribution levels with unique incentives ranging from merchandise packages to a brewery tour with the band. In that fun-loving spirit, the band will launch the Indiegogo campaign with a free show, including a performance of the new album in its entirety, at The Griffin — where my love affair with their music began — on Saturday, March 1 with one-man-band blues stomper, Low Volts, opening. Fans can contribute to the campaign at the show and online.

For more on the band and the upcoming album visit Facebook.com/DeadFeatherMoon.