homecoming article on screen door porch

From the pen to the pickBy Evan HugginsJackson Hole, Wyoming - When they are not on tour or recording down in Austin, TX, Screen Door Porch unleashes blues influenced alt-country somewhere in Jackson Hole nearly every week. Core members Seadar Rose and Aaron Davis (music columnist for JH Weekly) recently got hitched and ran off to Honduras for a quick honeymoon punctuated on both ends by recording sessions for their second studio album.Rose and Davis spin layered, energetic vocal harmonies that often draw comparison to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. As a duo or a quintet (with bass and drums) and playing in electric and acoustic environments, Screen Door Porch posses a magnificent range. “Wrong the Right,” the first track on their self titled freshman LP opens with reverb-filled Southern guitar a la Black Keys channeling Junior Kimbrough with a seamless transition into the Americana realm via Seadar’s smooth country vocals. Screen Door Porch is one the few local bands that plays almost entirely original music.Aaron Davis normally writes this column and can’t justly compose an opinion piece on his own band, but as is so often the case, this professional critic deserves a moment in the spotlight. Raised in Kentucky, Davis is deeply influenced by early century delta blues artists like Muddy Waters, as well as the classic folk-rock of Dylan and The Band. Davis arrived in Jackson in 2001 and has become deeply entrenched in the local music community over the last 10 years. In 2008, Davis released his first full-length solo album Rear View Mirror, named “one of the best albums of the year,” by Rootstime Magazine. Soon after, he began collaborating with Rose and Screen Door Porch was born.While recording their first album, Rose and Davis built a strong relationship with Austin- based sound engineer Britton Beisenherz who is co-producing their new album at Ramble Creek Studio. “We recorded our first album down here and had such a great experience,” Davis said. “We thought the collaboration with Britton was something we wanted to take advantage of again.” The new album includes session artists from Austin on keys, organ and other instruments previously untapped by Screen Door Porch. This promises to create a more layered, groovy sound that tends towards rock and funk while remaining fundamentally alt country.“I would say [this album] is funkier, and maybe even a little dirtier than the first album,” Rose said.Screen Door Porch is planning to release the album in May or early June and is currently planning a CD release party of epic magnitude to take place in Jackson once the snow melts. They were hesitant to reveal too many details, but it promises to be a gleeful soiree. In preparation for the upcoming release, Screen Door Porch will be running a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their recording efforts. Fans who donate to the project will receive limited edition early release CDs, custom posters and other goodies. The campaign kicks off in mid January. More info will be available at screendoorporch.com.Sunday’s at Q Roadhouse runs 6 to 9 p.m. (happy hours 5 to 6 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m.). Duo show full of surprises, special guests, and a suitcase kickdrum.