Great Northern

Great Northern is an indie rock group from Los Angeles comprising vocalist/guitarist Solon Bixler (formerly of 30 Seconds to Mars), vocalist/keyboardist Rachel Stolte, and drummer Davey Latter. As of 2007, they are signed with the independent label Eenie Meenie Records, where they have released their debut album "Trading Twilight For Daylight".

Music

Great Northern began when Solon Bixler approached his friend Rachel Stolte, whom he had known for seven years, with material he had been working on, and asked her if she wanted to sing and play piano for it. After writing songs for about six months on a four track recorder, they finally went to the studio. After experimenting with various lineups, they got their long-time friend Davey Latter to join the band as a drummer. The bass position was eventually filled by Ashley Dzerigian, whom Bixler and Stolte met at a party, which they didn't even want to attend at first. Ashley left the band in January 2008, and has been replaced by Michael Regilio.

They recorded their debut album "Trading Twilight For Daylight" at the "Donner & Blitzen" studio in Arcadia, CA, together with producer Mathias Schneeberger, whose previous work experience includes the Queens of the Stone Age. Having met Schneeberger through a mutual friend, they quickly grew fond of his contributions to the album.

The album title was coined by Rachel Stolte, who said that twilight is her favorite time of day, and that she sometimes wishes that it would take up a larger part of the day.

"Trading Twilight For Daylight" was released in the U.S. on , 2007.

The band released an EP, entitled "Sleepy Eepee", to iTunes in the U.S. on November 6, 2007. The EP originally was written and recorded before "Trading Twilight For Daylight", but was re-released with new artwork by Ryan Coscia. Sleepy Eepee was released to stores March 18, 2008.

The song "Home" was used in a 2008 Nissan Murano commercial, advertising a redesigned 2009 Murano. "Home" was also featured in the movie 21 starring Jim Sturgess.

"Home" was an iTunes free Single of the Week in late 2007.

Their song "Low is a Height" was used in the NBA's "There Can Only Be One" commercials; starring Paul Pierce & Mike Bibby and also Dwight Howard & Chris Paul. "Low is a Height" was also featured in a video montage sequence at the end of the 8th Episode of Bones in the third season.

They recorded their song "Into the Sun" in Simlish for the EP The Sims 2: Free Time

The song "Driveway" was featured at the end of the 18th episode of Grey?s Anatomy, in the fifth season.

In early 2008 Ashley Dzerigian left the band. Her replacement is Michael Francis Regilio. The band now includes Marissa Micik on keyboards and Dusty Rocherolle (who replaced Davey in early 2009) on drums.

As of June 2009, Great Northern has welcomed bassist Matt Roveto to accompany the band on their UK tour (set for early July).

Critical reception

This is what the newspapers had to say about Great Northern's debut album:

"Their dreamy vocals billow and blow away into echoes, and keyboards lend a wise-beyond-their-years wistfulness." -- L.A. Weekly

"Their songs tread the tenuous ground where heartwarming meets heartbreaking, unfolding as if the boy-girl vocalists were revisiting crumpled old love letters." -- Los Angeles Times

"Stylistic variances aside, Trading Twilight for Daylight is unified by ethereal melodies, lush harmonies and sentimental lyrics." -- Blast Magazine

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Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great Northern