Published on February 17th, 2014 | by Bret Van Horn

Lincoln’s Beard, “Honorary Sibling”: Americana-laced Folk Rock to Live By

It’s damn-near impossible to spend any time in the Southwest Washington music scene without hearing mention of Lincoln’s Beard. This oft-revered folk/rock outfit has been wooing audiences since 2006, and after a number of notable achievements (including 2-year residencies at both The White Eagle and Secret Society in Portland) have their fourth album coming out this month through Music Millennium’s Vaquero Management arm.

The album itself is a cohesive blend of acoustic sounds, tastefully effected guitars, and a rhythm section that carries it all forth for your consideration and enjoyment. Kristopher Chrisopulos’ whiskey-soaked vocals, somehow smooth and gravelly at the same time, ride atop the often lush and ambitious soundscapes carved out by the rest of the band.

While the album is clearly rooted in folk and americana rock, guitarist Aram Arslanian manages to sneak in several unexpected sounds that succeed in giving the music its own identity, blending folk with more progressive guitars. From Tom Waits-style brooding bluesy ballads, to upbeat Tom Petty-esque rockers, Lincoln’s Beard has covered all the bases. The mix of background instrumentation and sounds creates a notion of, “We’re going to do whatever we want here, genres-be-damned. And you’re going to like it.” And for Lincoln’s Beard fans—old and new—there is plenty to like. Somehow, with all of the diversity of the album, the band carries a common mood throughout, one that is unmistakably Lincoln’s Beard. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all.

Check out their Vancouver record release show at Brickhouse on Friday, March 7th, at 9 p.m.

The Columbian

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/feb/07/lincolns-beard-band-sees-growth/

In many ways, the fourth album by Lincoln's Beard will be the band's first. Titled "Honorary Sibling," it's the first record with the band's new members, guitarist Aram Arslanian and drummer Abe Holderman. It's also the first with a big record release concert, set for this week at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland.

"I'm pretty excited to release to it to the masses. This is the first item it feels like there will be masses," said bassist Dwayne Spence. Spence and Kristopher Chrisopulos, the band's lead vocalist and guitarist, have been playing venues around the Northwest since 2006.

"Honorary Siblings" was recorded at the Toadhouse in Portland and guitarist Arslanian's Kingsly Garden Music Studios. Arslanian has brought a wealth of recording and technical skill to the group.

"We couldn't have gotten luckier, we just found him in the neighborhood. He just impresses me every time," Spence said. "(Arslanian) acts as our Yoda of sorts in a lot of things."

Spence and Chrisopulos practically found Arslanian in their backyard. All three band members live in the Shumway neighborhood.

The album's look and feel was brought to life by Vancouver artist Brian Ripp.

"I was actually floored by the artwork on this album because I've seen a lot of his art, I've never seen anything like this," said Spence.

"Honorary Siblings" is characterized by its warm roots-rock sounds and blue-collar rhythms, led by Chrisopulos' distinctive, growling voice.

"No matter how far we go forwards or backwards, Krist's voice tends to bring us to together. We've evolved in instruments, but I think the overall folk sound has sustained itself," Spence said.

Most of the songs were written by Chrisopulos, who needed to express "what it means to miss someone, then have them back, then miss them again," Spence said.

Two of the songs — "Victim" and "Hero" — were written by drummer Holderman before he joined the band. "For me, they are the two of the most chilling, heart-warming songs (on the album.) He's very good at writing good, simple, poignant lyrics that just kind stick you right there," Spence said.

Lincoln's Beard will give a radio interview and studio performance at 5 p.m. today on KZME 107.1 FM, which will also re-air on the station at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Limited prereleases of "Honorary Sibling" will be available at Mon Ami Coffee, 1906 Main St., and at Portland record stores after Thursday, then online in March.

Catch the Lincoln's Beard record release concert at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland. Tickets are $8 for those 21 and older. Visit lincolnsbeard.com.

— Ashley Swanson

Lightning storm swamps music festival, but bands play on.. .. ..

Lightning during music festival split this tree along 8th Street adjacent to Granary District

Aug 11, 2013 | 3 Comments | has video

News-Register Staff
http://www.newsregister.com/blog?articleTitle=lightning-storm-swamps-music-festival-but-bands-play-on--1375766227--8928--home

(News-Register Staff) A torrential downpour accompanied by lightning strikes and rumbling thunder claps closed the outdoor show at the first Walnut City Music Festival Saturday evening at the Granary District in McMinnville.
The thunder and lightning rolled right over the festival grounds while The Hill Dogs delivered a passionate, and awe-inspiring duet with Mother Nature.
The drenching shut down the sound system, but the next band on the bill, Lincoln's Beard set up sans microphones in the partially completed Grain Station brewery and kept the party going. Tony Smiley, "The Loop Ninja," arrived with his sound system and the music continued as scheduled to a smaller but energetic crowd. A raucous dance party occurred during the set by headliners The Builders and The Butchers.
Event organizer Ossie Bladine, while disappointed in the outcome of an unexpected thunder storm, said it was an experience that few in attendance will forget.
"To say the music festival got off to a bang would be an understatement," he said.
After the storm subsided, Bladine and others found that a tree adjacent to the Granary District had been hit by lightning and split in two.

July 24, 2013

Lincoln's Beard

http://discoveryamhillvalley.com/lincoln-s-beard

Vancouver, Washington is a perfect place for alternative Americana. It's a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll, and a weird mix of blue collar, white collar and red ... well, you get the idea.
Lincoln's Beard is a folk rock band that appeals to all of the above. The group started playing in 2006 as an alternative bluegrass band. It moved more toward indie rock with each new release, and lately has settled into an alt-folk groove with a recent lineup change.
Lincoln’s Beard is one of those bands where individuals talented in their own right come together for a wholly different sound.
Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Kris Chrisopulos fronted a grunge group before forming the band with Bethel Dwayne Spence (bass, banjo) and former member Tyler Morgan. Crisopulos’ unique crooning set against smooth folk rock helps the band stand apart. Spence once labeled the sound "urgent folk." Any fan of Eddie Vedder’s ventures into folk will approve.
Aram Arslanian (electric guitar, lap steel) and Abe Holderman (drums) round out Lincoln’s Beard’s lineup today. Arslanian, the elder statesman of Lincoln’s Beard, is from Boston and arrived in Vancouver with his wife, Sarah (lead singer of Ladytown), via Los Angeles. His 1997 debut album “East of Western” earned him praise in the adult alternative radio audience. This year, he released “Electric Junk,” the second album as his rock ‘n’ folk-pop project, Orphan Train.
Spence also has an intriguing solo career, with recordings that hold true to the heart of underground singer/songwriters — intimate, lo-fi and darn hard to find.
Altogether, the group's sound fits somewhere between Wilco, Gram Parsons and Uncle Tupelo.