In a musical landscape rife with fleeting fads and overnight electro-pop sensations, it doesn’t exactly make sense to start a band steeped in the sounds of artists like the Faces, Leon Russell, and Joe Cocker. Yet, here stands Ponderosa, an upstart with a veteran sound. On its New West Records debut, Moonlight Revival, the Atlanta-based act crafts music that’s genuine, soulful, and psychedelic. Lead vocalist and songwriter Kalen Nash suggests one more adjective: timeless. “That’s something that we want to be a part of, you know,” says lead vocalist Kalen Nash, “A timeless sound. And really, beyond a timeless sound, something that’s honest.”
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Years earlier, Ponderosa formed under circumstances where everything “clicked.” Nash remembers the natural chain of events that led to the birth of the current incarnation of the band. “I was recording a solo record at Nickel and Dime Studios in Decatur, Ga, where [Ponderosa lead guitarist] Kris [Sampson] was the head engineer. I wanted to put a live record to tape. Kris was really into the idea. So we laid a couple songs down—just me on an acoustic.” “We invited friends to come and play on the recordings,” he explains. “By that point, it was Kris, me, and [eventual Ponderosa bassist and backup vocalist,] JT [Hall]. Everyone just started picking up instruments and having fun, with no real goals in mind. [Ponderosa keys player,] Jon [Dance] showed up one night and he played some organ parts.”
“Then,” Nash laughs,” “Maybe two years later, [Ponderosa drummer,] Darren [Dodd] came to fill in one out of town show and practiced with us at the studio. And he has been our drummer ever since." Fast forward to Moonlight Revival, produced by Joe Chicarelli. Nash remembers working with the heralded producer as a valuable learning experience. “He pushed us a group. He pushed us as musicians. It really made us a better band. We would not be the band that we are without Joe. We are so grateful.” What came from those sessions stands as testament to this growth; Eleven songs of living, breathing, rock and roll that seep deep into your psyche. From the opening lick on “Old Gin Road” through the swirling freak-out that concludes “Devil On My Shoulder” and Moonlight Revival, Ponderosa strikes a tune that will please any music lover, or, at least, any music listener that likes real music.
