Biography
Good Night, States was born at the close of 2006 in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Having filled the small row-house living room of husband and wife Trevor Baker (bass, vocals) and Megan Lindsey (keys, vocals, trumpet) with an incredible assortment of instruments and equipment that soon replaced the furniture, the five members spent months arranging a collection of songwriter Steve Gretz’s demos into a nuanced, cohesive album.
That debut, Short Films On Self-Control, was recorded in a well-equipped home studio in Warwick, NY, before the band had chosen a name or played a show. Producer Kevin Killen (U2, Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello), impressed by the songs, mixed the record in October 2007 with a careful touch that brought out the detail and warmth of the arrangements. Short Films On Self-Control was released in mp3 format two months later, and in CD form the following February.
“They already have a well-developed, even mature, sound.” (The BNAC Music Blog) Reactions to Short Films continue to highlight just how much the band developed its artistry in those first months of songwriting.
“Suffice to say Good Night, States gets it right. The music is catchy enough to get you hooked, but the depth of the music is what will keep you listening.” (The Schlog) Pittsburgh City Paper’s review described it as “a record heavy on concepts and dense production, but with a core of simple, catchy pop songwriting.”
Since the album’s release the band has been playing as much as possible in the region, making appearances from Columbus to D.C. and New York City; they have shared the stage with Army of Me, Band Marino, Men, Women and Children, The Watson Twins, and Old ‘97s.
In stark contrast to the creative path chosen by most bands, Good Night, States followed their strong, well-received and style-defining debut record with a series of singles released twice a month via the band’s Roland Jupiter 6-themed website. Each month, one single featured the full band exploring more of the textures introduced on Short Films and expanding use of vocal harmony and electronics; the other was a featured track from an upcoming EP titled In the Impossible Tension.
Good Night, States deeply looks forward to living in the same city and beginning work on a second LP in the near future.
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