THE PINKERTON RAID: DREAMER FOLK // CAMPFIRE POP
A VERY SHORT BIOGRAPHY
The Pinkerton Raid crafts “a fine blend of Beatles-esque dreamy folk,” says AMERICANA HIGHWAYS. It’s all quite beatnik and granola, steeped in STAR WARS, Tolkien, Kerouac and Laurel Canyon. They’ve played recent festivals with River Whyless, Sunny War and Amythyst Kiah. There is a fair number of songs about trees.
“Initially, it’s just DeConto’s voice and guitar and it’s plaintive, tuneful and could be a great song played out just like this. However, the subtle addition of extra instrumentation – trumpet, keys, percussion and upright bass – adds depth and texture and gives DeConto the foundation from which his vocal can soar with emotion. ‘Sometimes, Brothers’ grows and the backing vocals turn the song into a sing-along by the end. … It does indeed bloom.”
“The pain and resignation in this song is so thick you could cut it with a knife -- and maybe you need to send it to someone you know.” — THE BOOT
“A fine blend of Beatles-esque dreamy folk” — AMERICANA HIGHWAYS
“A sound for dreamers around a campfire” — GHETTOBLASTER
“A towering forest of indie rock with a timbre of folk that shadows Langhorne Slim, Cold War Kids, and The Killers” — THE SPILL MAGAZINE
A stunning synthesis of folkloric beauty" -- AQUARIAN WEEKLY
“Radiant … a message of hope” — AMERICAN SONGWRITER
"Anthemic...you’re gripped right from opening track." — AMERICANA UK
"Earthiness and musicianship" -- POPDOSE
“Poignant … an aromatic blend of indie rock and coffeehouse folk” — ROLLING STONE INDIA
"Bright, vibrant horns and brilliant vocal harmonies...a top year-end list contender? You can certainly count on it." -- NO DEPRESSION. "You will not be able to stop humming."
"Fans of Wilco, Neil Young and Sharon Van Etten will be pleased with the band’s plaintive voices and introspective songwriting." — CONNECT SAVANNAH
“Barren soundscapes and quivering vocals give way to lush, buoyant instrumental breaks … (the) sound falls somewhere between Iron & Wine’s introspective indie folk and Adult Jazz’s experimental tumult.” — INDYWEEK
“A unique blend of folk, Americana and indie rock … masterful … lush instrumentation … jangly guitars … tasty brass … would not be out of place amongst the songbooks of some of the great Irish singer/songwriters.” — THE AU REVIEW
"On album number four, The Pinkerton Raid celebrate the human race as one community, drawn together whether the back story is in an Indiana cornfield (“Windmills in the Fog”), toasting the art of giving with a beer-garden beat (“Sweet Pitchers of Mercy”), or floating 'Stella Maris' on rhythmic waves of guitar notes and percussion. ... Vignettes that search for meaning in the length of a song." — THE ALTERNATE ROOT
“Earthy, full-hearted … tenderly revealing” — TINNITIST
“Thunderous … playful … inspired by a passion for justice and feminine empowerment” — THE SPILL
“A new indie rock turn … emotionally potent” — UNDER THE RADAR
“Folksy indie rock … threads of the quilt of American folklore.” — FLAGPOLE MAGAZINE
“Saturated with emotional depth … it’s a collection of songs all listeners can get behind.” — HAPPY MAG
“Jangling … warm … unadorned … beauty within the simplicity … as if flipping through a worn photobook” — UNDER THE RADAR
“A wistful, sepia-toned snapshot of a song, ‘Merseybeat’ brings a long-faded sound from a distant time and place echoing back to the present, shimmering as if born anew. … a heartfelt nod to the ’60s Merseybeat scene, whose music – by bands like The Searchers, Gerry & the Pacemakers and, of course, The Beatles – reverberated from the basement clubs of Liverpool all the way around the globe.” — SHINDIG MAGAZINE
“Anchored by a distorted Fender Rhodes … reverberating fingerpicked electric guitar; languid, shuffling drums, and some resplendent trumpet from Holy Ghost Tent Revival's Charlie Humphrey, ‘The Highway Moves the World’ sits at the nexus of indie-folk and Americana, at once encompassing the band's two distinct sonic personalities.” — GRATEFUL WEB
"Love-one-another tunes" -- CHARLESTON CITY PAPER
“Big love for freedom, justice and equality” — INDYWEEK
“Between the push and pull of intimacy, care for one another, and coming to terms with the mistakes we make along the way is where you will find The Pinkerton Raid.” — YOUR TUESDAY AFTERNOON ALTERNATIVE
“Potent … rich lyricism, slinky guitar … subtle yet soulful.” — GLIDE MAGAZINE
“The garage rock swagger of the White Stripes and the irritated kick of Cage The Elephant.” — GLIDE MAGAZINE
“Bowie-meets-Black Keys … a blast of zeitgeist-capturing political garage-psych … sonically anchored by pounding drums, impassioned vocals, and some blistering Fender Mustang leads.” — THE BIG TAKOVER
“A breezy and swaggering deep cut … Hip-shaking hooks and a pulsing rhythm section … melded with jangly and reverb-laden guitars, underlying DeConto’s crooning set of vocals.” — FLOATED MAG
“A lush fusion of indie folk, Americana, and soul … packed with great storytelling.” — UP TO HEAR MUSIC
“North Carolina’s finest roots band … Standout storytelling” — HERE COMES THE FLOOD
“Confronting, gripping and soul-stirring. Let’s hum, whistle, sing, and scream along.” — TURN UP THE VOLUME
“Warm … tender … a perfect vibe to end 2020” — BTRtoday
"Roots rockers The Pinkerton Raid revive the art of the singalong ... with brand new songs about hope against all odds (cough*, 45 and all that), nightly road trips guided by the stars, and chance meetings with small town locals. Jesse James DeConto, the band's songwriter ... has good eye for a story, wrapping it in poetic imagery. Where the Wildest Spirits Fly is a collection of heartfelt Americana. ... Recommended if you like Wilco and The Band." -- HERE COMES THE FLOOD
"Searing and colorful imagery...story-driven material with more to say than a catchy chorus...[in] the tradition of artists — Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke — writing about social change." — WILMINGTON STAR NEWS
"Draws on a myriad of influences, from ’60s folk to R&B, all centered around DeConto’s abstract and direct musings of the world around him" -- SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS
“Combining elements of folk rock and Americana, with a touch of timeless classic rock, The Pinkerton Raid has crafted a magical fusion sonic blend.” — LAST DAY DEAF
“Deeply personal … brings stories to life through music.” — STATIC MULTIMEDIA
“A bluesy, slow-burning rallying cry for a better vision of masculinity” — INDYWEEK
“So many beautiful, complex ideas” — ADOBE & TEARDROPS
Live at Daytrotter, 03.17.17
"Perky indie-pop delight" -- MYSTIC SONS
"Wonderful imagery" -- WYSO
"Colorful and dark characters" -- ENCORE
"Featuring a compelling vocal performance and melodically magnetic arsenal, The North Carolina-based act ... grow emotional, blistering folk into expansive hooks, akin to a more versatile Bright Eyes. ... Engrossing." -- OBSCURE SOUND
"Gravitas ... grandeur ... a big, bold, gutsy move" -- INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
"Joyfulness" -- DAYTON CITY PAPER
"The addictive chorus of 'Thin Places' will turn you into an instant fan." -- JP'S MUSIC BLOG
"Soul-shifting vocals and rhythms...Bob Dylan/Arlo Guthrie sound...earthy and powerful" -- ONCOLUMBUS.COM
"A thunderous turn, not dissimilar to Fleetwood Mac's high-drama work" -- INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
"The Pinkerton Raid uses their big, bright sound to tackle issues both personal and political. ... Big choruses with lots of vocal harmonies and horn blasts that bring out the pop from a core folk-rock rhythm section. 'Tolerance Ends, Love Begins' is full of earnest songwriting layered with deep, thoughtful arrangements." -- THE MODERN FOLK MUSIC OF AMERICA
"Raw and honest tones that are brought to life with a vibrant and quirky energy that will put a smile on your face. ... Magnetic." -- ETHNOCLOUD
"Haunting ... beautiful ... the description of graceful ... Dreamy lyrics paint a sultry and bold landscape ... an indie rock powerhouse, with layers of dark textures and beautiful vocals you will not soon forget." -- ALL MUSIC TRENDS
"Rock and pop with bright harmonies and the twang of traditional Southern instruments ... The tension is what makes it great." -- WUNC
"A touching display of unity" -- MOTHER CHURCH PEW, on live video premiere of "These Colors Don't Run"
"Poetic lyrics make you listen intently ... exciting new Americana music" -- JP'S MUSIC BLOG
"The close harmonies come right down off the Blue Ridge mountains." -- SCENES
"A glowing blend of exquisite instrumentals ... the vocals come in strong and discerning ... the emotion pulling you from your seat as you sway your hips." -- IMPOSE
“The songs are big, loud, filling, almost. DeConto and his sister take up vocal duties, delivering bombastic performances of songs that narrate breakups, the downfall of tragic women, and falling in love. The guitars are expansive, filling the songs with ethereal walls of sound. The whole affair is tied to Earth with pulsing, groovy bass lines that sits high up in the mix.” — ADOBE & TEARDROPS
"With a sound similar to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the nine tracks are zealous toe tappers that make you want to shake your fanny in pure enjoyment. Sultry, spontaneous and catchy, with striking vocals and instrumental arrangements, this is a band that needs to be on everyone's radar." -- FLOORSHIME ZIPPER BOOTS
"Tight, engaging musicianship...natural, uncomplicated, melodic & fresh...too good to pass up" -- BEEHIVE CANDY