Browse by Artist: PONTIAK

Artist:	PONTIAK
Title:	Sun On Sun
Label:	THRILL JOCKEY
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.50
Catalog #:	THR 206CD

"Pontiak is made up of three brothers from the Blue Ridge farm country of Virginia, Van (guitar, lead vocals), Lain (drums, vocals) and Jennings Carney (bass, organ, vocals). Their music is swaggering guitar rock that straddles the line between a power trio and something far more expansive in sound and scope. Their broad song structures allow ample room for three-part vocals, drums, organ and stellar slide and lead guitar to stretch and captivate. Songs roll along with an effortless synchronicity despite their extremely varied textures. Julian Cope described them as 'straddling a wide sonic rift valley, with references that stretch from the southern latitudes of Spain's Viaje A800 to the northern majesty of Black Sabbath and Harvey Milk via The Doors.'"

Artist:	PONTIAK
Title:	Maker
Label:	THRILL JOCKEY
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.50
Catalog #:	THR 213CD

"Pontiak's studio in rural Virginia is about 12'x12' and largely responsible for the saturated sound on their new album Maker. The band recorded the album in the same way as their previous efforts, themselves in a studio of their own making. Preferring the energy of a mostly live recording and understanding how to capture their sound, Pontiak recorded with lightning speed, generally keeping the first take as the final take. A lifetime of shared experiences certainly informs the three Carney brothers playing as a band. Jennings' bass or Lain's drums often finish the thoughts of Van's guitar. This is a level of musical communication that most bands are only able to achieve after years of touring and recording. It also may account for their staggering productivity, this being their third Thrill Jockey release, in just over a calendar year."

Artist:	PONTIAK
Title:	Sea Voids
Label:	THRILL JOCKEY
Format:	LP
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	THR 230LP

"Pontiak wrote, recorded and mixed Sea Voids in eight evening sessions over the course of three weeks. The brothers sketched out what kind of album they wanted to make while on a two month US tour. It would be visual, it would be expressive, and it would be inspired by what the brothers had seen. When they returned home from tour they had just four weeks to write and record the album before disembarking on a European tour. They spent many long nights, amps blazing into the summer darkness, drums echoing off the surrounding hills, working to finish. They tuned the bass and the guitar down to B, cranked their amps and let the air open up. Hardly any distortion pedals were used. It was just LOUD. Pontiak finished Sea Voids the day they left for Europe. The record benefited greatly from the work of Richard Prince and Chris Burden, and to them the band gives a huge thanks! Sea Voids is limited to 1,000 copies on vinyl only and the jackets are hand screened by Crosshair."

Artist:	PONTIAK
Title:	Living
Label:	THRILL JOCKEY
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	THR 233CD

"Van, Lain, and Jennings Carney share a mom, a dad, and a Virginia farm house studio. They record themselves, book themselves, hold complex day jobs, and know their way around a working farm as well as an instrument. They like it loud and for Living, their fifth release in two years, they like it dirty. Their fifth album (including Sea Voids the LP only tour record made for their tour with White Hills) was recorded on an old reel to reel in the band's home studio using two track tape. Unlike Sea Voids, which was recorded in eight brief evening sessions, and Maker, which was recorded in mostly single takes, this album underwent a lengthy recording process over the course of four months. Just enough time for Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless to drop by and lay down some guitar. Living is connected to their previous recordings by the brothers' affection for a thick as molasses guitar sound and a heavy bass that holds sway over the album, creating some delicious sludge."

Artist:	PONTIAK
Title:	Comecrudos
Label:	THRILL JOCKEY
Format:	12"
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	THR 275LP

"Comecrudos is a new 25 minute 12" vinyl only EP. This release was created as a soundtrack to the bold landscape Pontiak encountered on a drive from Phoenix to the Big Bend area of Texas. Pontiak was captivated by the sprawling landscape, the immensity and complexity of the geology and the beauty. They camped in an old volcano crater under a full moon and hiked ridges alongside the Rio Grande. Comecrudos is a soundtrack for the drive on Route 385 southbound from Marathon, Texas. The band recommends listening to the album whilst driving, windows rolled down, music at full volume, the dust hanging in the air. Or on the subway - imagining you are in a car driving with the widows rolled down, music at full volume, the dust hanging in the air."

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