Words by Jim

It’s really hard to remember how bands got their music out before the advent of the internet. How did that work? I seriously have no idea and I guess if you weren’t signed to a label, well, you’re shit out of luck. Small labels barely existed and bands scrapped their way around local towns. Blog was just a funny word inside someones head. Man. Sounds like the dark ages to me. So it’s only fitting that the internets have brought me a band that harkens back to the days long before computer, internets, smart phones, and data plans. Days when engineer wasn’t a major in college, but the gentleman who drove the train down the tracks. A simpler time. Welcome to the world of Southeast Engine.

Southeast Engine / Curse of Canannville
Southeast Engine / New Growth

Southeast Engine is a four piece folk rock band originally formed in Athens, OH in the late ’90s. Currently signed to Misra Records, Southeast Engine is an interesting mash up of old timey folk and indie rock. Everything’s rustic and a little broken down. There’s rust stains on the sidewalk and the guitar cases and amps have worn down corners and broken handles. Fronted by Adam Remnant and his wavering vocals, the band made a name for themselves with their 2007 release Wheel Within a Wheel, having been discovered by (super awesome) indie alternative rockers The Wrens. With Leo DeLuca on percussion, Adam’s younger brother Jesse on bass and backing vocals, and Bill Matheny acting as utility man, the four piece has recently released their fourth full length for Misra entitled Canary.

Becoming only recently intimate with Southeast Engine, I can truthfully say that I’m delightfully enthralled with what Canary has to offer. It’s loosely based around an Appalachian family struggling to survive during the Great Depression (see, now that opening paragraph makes total sense) with songs both happy and sad, joyous and mournful. Times are tough and Southeast Engine can help you get through the strife with some shuffling piano chords, plucked banjos, and brushed snare drums. Remnant’s lead vocal work is shaky and nervous, but absolutely perfect for the songs and instrumentation of Canary. I think I’d like to categorize SEE with other rootsy reconstruction revivalist bands (I made that genre up, don’t steal it) like Delta Spirit, Frontier Ruckus, and The Low Anthem. Can I do that? Yes and amen.

I’ll also state, quite boldy, that it’s really refreshing to hear a current release that utilizes the piano so honestly without overdoing it. It seems as though it’s either the focal point, nonexistent, or it’s some synthesized sound that could pass for a guitar anyway. Canary is full of beautiful, blue collar piano and I think that’s just fucking awesome. Thank you, SEE

Hey! Imagine that you listened to the songs above and watched the video below and you’re pretty into this stuff, just like me? Maybe you’d like to see them live? Well, it’s your lucky day then, as Southeast Engine will be appearing live at Club Cafe this Wednesday at 7:00 PM with These United States. That’s going to be an awesome show, for sure. You can pick up tickets online here, or grab them at the door for a few bucks more the day of the show. Don’t forget to visit the Southeast Engine back catalog. I know I can’t (insert thumbs up photo here).

Southeast Engine on the Interwebs
Website
Twitter
Misra Records
Facebook

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