Tuesday, December 20, 2011

TUMBLEDOWN HOUSE TO RELEASE FABLES AND FALSEHOODS Sophomore Album from Bozeman Band Is a “1920s Big Band Romp”


They write about gambling, murder, booze and bicycles; and they do it against the backdrop of a musical landscape that has been described as “gritty saloon jazz,” “modern speakeasy music,” and “Tom Waits in a cocktail dress.”  Tumbledown House, the Montana group fronted by sultry vocalist Gillian Howe and eclectic indie jazz guitarist Tyler Ryan Miller, is back with a new album, Fables and Falsehoods (due March 2012), the follow-up to their self-titled 2009 debut. 

Tumbledown House constantly pushes boundaries both musically and lyrically, and for Fables and Falsehoods, they also expanded their instrumentation by enlisting the talent of ten other musicians, including three horn players from New Orleans’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band.  The result is a finished product that can best described as an upbeat, 1920’s big band romp. 

“We wanted to expand the instrumentation on the new album to include an experienced horn section,” said Miller.  “Roger, Greg, and E.T. from The Dirty Dozen Brass Band were able to provide the old-school, vintage, New Orleans Jazz feel that we were searching for.”

In addition to Fables and Falsehoods being a unique musical experience, Tumbledown House also pushed the envelope lyrically this time, exploring diverse subject matter (one song is based on the original story of Pinocchio written by Carlo Collodi in 1883, another describes the only consecrated shrine dedicated to unrepentant sinners, which still stands in Tucson, Arizona) and showcases the duo’s talent for creating something vintage and familiar, yet refreshing, distinct, and exciting.

"If a listener looks into the things we're singing about, chances are they'll find something of substance and they'll see the story that inspired us,” said Howe.

Following the success of their self-titled debut CD, Tumbledown House toured from Alaska to Louisiana, from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine, and has now performed over 250 shows in over 20 states.  The duo continues to tour, sometimes with additional musicians, throughout the U.S. and has shared the stage with Crooked Still, The Devil Makes Three, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Keller Williams, as well as many other notable acts. 

Tumbledown House has “quickly ascended as one of the new, promising acts of the Rocky Mountain region.” (Pop Rocket Press)  Now, armed with Fables and Falsehoods, the group will continue to provide the soundtrack for raucous, prohibition-themed parties nationwide.

For more information please visit www.tumbledownhouse.com

No comments: