Sons of Fathers w/ Buxton & Blue Bear

Sons of Fathers

Trends and styles may change in music, but there are just some things that are timeless…like songwriting from the heart with ear-catching melodies and rich harmony vocals. The team of David Beck (a stage name as his real name is David Whitbeck) and Paul Cauthen has created Sons of Fathers, a band with a soaring, original sound that belies their young age. They have been compared to the Avett Brothers, The Byrds, and The Everly Brothers, albeit with an infusion of Texas grease.

Beck and Cauthen came together when each was working on a solo project in San Marcos, Texas. Though the two had met casually, a chance encounter at Thompson’s Island in a park on the Blanco River led them to join forces. Paul remembers, “I was walking in with my guitar and my writing notebook and Dave was walking out with his guitar and book.” As soon as the Texans starting writing and singing together, they realized that they had found something special. “We knocked out an incredible number of songs in two days,” says Paul.

Singing together came just as easily. “It’s the weirdest thing. The harmony is the last thing we worry about. We just fall into sockets of harmony naturally,” says Paul.

Originally called Beck & Cauthen, the group received a letter from representatives of Beck (the artist who performed ‘Odelay’ and ‘Mellow Gold’). “We had used the phrase ‘Sons of Fathers’ long before we wrote the song and we have changed the band name. It was a sign for us to change the name to something that included the whole band, not just a duo. We are all in this together and we all play a role.” Augmented with Regan Schmidt on guitar and lap steel and Dees Stribling on drums, the band functions as an organic unit.

Sons of Fathers is an especially appropriate name as Beck and Cauthen’s heritage has helped make them who they are. Cauthen, a native of Tyler, Texas, began singing in the church at the age of seven and learning guitar from his grandfather, a preacher. He says, “Granddad was a hell of a musician. He chose the Church of Christ instead of the church of rock and roll. I remember learning to sing harmonies in the bathtub at six years old in Tyler, Texas.” Paul now has a tattoo of his grandfather’s signature on his arm and says that his grandfather influences his sense of spirituality to this day.

Beck was raised in San Marcos, Texas, the son of Bill Whitbeck, a respected and renowned touring musician. “It was a different lifestyle for a young son. Dad was always on the road for business. We’ve learned from what our fathers and grandfathers have done and put those lessons into our lives,” he reflects.

The band also has tremendous respect for their matriarchs, having written the poignant song “Mother Dear.” David says, “We have really similar mothers, working hard every day, sacrificing for her kids.” Paul is also grateful, saying, “We both had solid rocks for moms. They were always there.”

As they worked up their original compositions, they began to include finely tuned elements from their live show, incorporating tight Everly-esque harmonies and high energy live arrangements. In the spring of 2011, the band ventured into the studio in the hill country town of Doss, Texas. David says, “Being up there focused us and cleared our minds.”

Legendary producer Lloyd Maines joined them to co-produce their debut album. “Lloyd put the old soul way of doing things on our record, made sure everything was flowing,” says David.

For a new band, they have accomplished much in a short period of time. Most notably, they made their live radio debut on WXPN’s Free at Noon series in August, 2011, a rare event for a new band without a record out. WXPN’s Bruce Warren said, “Their rich vocal harmonies are nothing short of moving.” They have also played at the legendary Gruene Hall.

Soon, the music of Sons of Fathers will not only be timeless, but a timely reminder of how great music can be.

Sons of Fathers on Facebook | Sons of Fathers on Twitter | Official Website

BUXTON

Buxton, a five piece folk-rock ensemble from Houston, TX. Buxton’s music is a study in contrasts: rock and folk, subtle yet eccentric, lush harmonies over prickly guitar. The band toured extensively in support of 2012’s release of “Nothing Here Seems Strange”. The band’s debut LP on New West Records was critically well received and continues to grow. Buxton’s fusion of lovely harmonies, jarring explosions of energy and meticulously applied instrumentation is led by Sergio Trevino on Vocals/Guitar with Jason Willis on lead Guitar/Mandolin, Chris Wise on Bass Guitar, Justin Terrell on Drums and Austin Sepulvado on Guitar/Vocals. The band, with two self-released albums, is already garnering critical praise with the Houston Press declaring “Simply put, these guys are getting ridiculously good.”

Buxton on Facebook | Buxton on Twitter | Official Website

BLUE BEAR

Blue Bear is a 5-piece indie/folk band based in Austin, Texas. Following in the footsteps of their biggest influences, Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear, Blue Bear has quickly gained a reputation for their infectious melodies and impeccable four-part harmonies.

Band founders, and former high school classmates, Brandon Aguilar and Jeremy Holmsley started the band in the Summer of 2011, quickly recruited another former classmate, Casey Arthur, and played as an acoustic trio for several months, performing at open mic venues in Austin. The three recorded the first EP in January and by February of 2012, the full band performed for the first time (with yet another former classmate, Jeremy Wilkinson, on drums and Holmsley on bass). They quickly recruited bass player and vocalist Khoury Moore, not only to hold down the bass, but to add a fourth harmony.

In May of 2012, Blue Bear won The Recording Conservatory of Austin’s 6th Annual “Unsigned Artist Competition,” after competing against bands from across the country in an online vote-getting contest, as well as a final 4 showcase in front of industry reps. In June, they were handpicked to be the featured band at The Art Institute of Austin’s “Summer Studio 2012,” a week of master classes and workshops for high school students interested in pursuing audio engineering, photography, graphic design, and more.

Blue Bear has mesmerized crowds all over the central Texas area with their unique sound and intricate harmonies. They are quickly building a dedicated fan base in the Austin area and are currently working on their second EP.

Blue Bear on Facebook | Blue Bear Band on Twitter | Official Website