Stream Bird Skulls
The goal of every songwriter dedicated to his craft is to write music that stands the test of time. Brian Hannon, frontman of Charleston, SC band Company doesn’t seem sure that he’s accomplished that yet, but his new EP Bird Skulls touches such grave subject matter that it’s impossible to escape the fact that it defines a period of his life.
“Bird Skulls is all about Kelly Grant’s passing (original drummer for Co.) this is the first record I’ve released with songs written after his death.” Hannon continues “It’s also about a suffering long-term love relationship I was in for years that disintegrated with Kelly’s passing. The Bird Skull is representative of her love and of death.”
Bird Skulls is Hannon’s darkest release to date. Opening with an epic seven minute song titled “Bodies”, building slowly with the humming of a memorable refrain, the intro releases into a verse that is just Hannon and an acoustic guitar. Hannon sings “Our bodies all will end up in all of the same places, notice how we arrive.” It’s lyrical statements like this and similar stunning words, paired with stark instrumental moments that Hannon commands an intimate listening experience. The new EP isn’t a change in direction for Company, but an example of Hannon’s ability to diversify and capture moments in his life through his music. Dear America, the bands last full length release, bounced with enthusiasm with all of its indie rock glory, making political statements with ironic Americana tones mixed throughout.
Since 2011 Co. has had the luck of having a close relationship with Band of Horses, who themselves have found a new level of success on a national scale. What started with Hannon handing some demos to David Bridwell, Band of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell’s dad, at a coffee shop in Charleston, lead to a string of midwest dates and a SXSW appearance opening for Band of Horses. Company went on to release an EP through Band of Horses upstart label Brown Records and Fat Possum Records that didn’t lead to the success that most would imagine. Call it what you will, but that self titled EP is a diamond in the rough of the abyss of the internet.
Hannon and Company recently played more dates with Band of Horses including dates at the Fillmore in Charlotte. Hannon said “I think opening for Horses this year was more comfortable than the first time years ago, before that I had never played a really big show.” Hannon goes on to talk about the updated lineup he has around him saying “I’ve been playing shows for a few years now and I’m comfortable on stage in front of a big crowd, especially because I trust the guys in the band right now with me, I’m way more confident.”
Company, which is essentially Hannon at the controls, has had a rotating cast of musicians around him over the years, sometimes leading to shows that didn’t always showcase the best side of the band and the songs at hand. At their most recent show in Columbia at The Stereofly Memorial Day showcase Co.’s live show finally matched and did justice to the songs. A new level of comfort was clear, exuding electricity that had been missing.
Hannon thanks the most recent Band of Horses shows and the bands current lineup for that. “I think this is possibly the best live show Co. has ever put on. Everyone is super talented, and everyone would still be playing in bands if they were not playing with me, so we all share a level of dedication and experience.” The band includes a host of members from other respected SC bands. “Shawn Krauss plays in The Specs, Brett Nash plays in Boring Portals, Southern Femisphere, and The Specs, and Wil Yorke plays in Sleepy Eye Giant.”
Both Co.’s self titled EP and Dear America were recorded in Asheville, NC at Echo Mountain Studio. The studios list of clients is staggering, including Avett Brothers, Band of Horses, and Dawes most recent album just to name a few. With Bird Skulls Co. broke the pattern, staying home in the Holy City recording with Wolfgang Zimmerman (Brave Baby, Sequoyah, Calculator), Dan McCurry (Hearts and Plugs Record Label, Run Dan Run), and Joel Hamilton (Mechanical River). The four songs that make up Bird Skulls were something that united many of Hannon’s friends, showing how tight-knit the Charleston music community is. In addition to engineering and producing their respective songs on the EP, Zimmerman and McCurry also added drums and synth. Mackie Boles from The Royal Tinfoil plays lead guitar on the opening track “Bodies” and local artist Marshal Hudson did the album artwork. Hannon says the “record could not have happened if not for their talent and friendship” going on to add that he’s “lucky to be a part of the Charleston music community and to be friends with them.”
Company has a busy schedule in the foreseeable future including writing for a new album with much of the material influenced by Hannon’s job at Tin Roof in West Ashley, a dive bar/restaurant/venue in its truest sense. Included in their upcoming live dates are shows in Columbia headlining Arts and Draughts at the Columbia Museum of Art, an event that averages around 800 people, and Hopscotch Festival in Raleigh, NC, a festival that we refer to as the ultimate festival for music discovery. Doesn’t that fit Co. perfectly?
