Ramona Falls
Ramona Falls is the musical brainchild of Brent Knopf. Brent, a Portland O… Read Full Bio ↴Ramona Falls is the musical brainchild of Brent Knopf. Brent, a Portland Oregon native, was also one-third of the band Menomena from 2000-2011.
Like most of us, Brent Knopf watches a lot of YouTube videos, only he’s not watching kittens playing piano. Rather, his tastes err on the more experimental side of things—like people who attempt perpetual motion machines using magnets. “I love that they’re trying to harness an endless supply of energy,” says the Ramona Falls frontman, “and that they go against conventional wisdom in the hopes of true discovery.”
Which is exactly what Knopf did last year, when he decided to quit the acclaimed art rock trio Menomena and devote his time to one epic, personal vision. Prophet, the second Ramona Falls album, is sonically, lyrically and thematically brighter. It’s also more organic and personal than anything he ever contributed to Menomena, or as the singer/multi-instrumentalist explains, “it’s more of a rapid transit line between my sleeve and my heart.”
“With Ramona Falls I am exploring what I stand for which makes it more personal to me,” Knopf admits. “I’m less worried now about being made fun of, than I was before. I can now say things I believe in, and some people may think it’s stupid or cheesy...but that’s kind of fun. I would much rather speak from the heart than hide behind impenetrable obfuscation.”
That emotional honesty and creative fearlessness is certainly paying off. Prophet is an album that recalls the experimental beauty of Laughing Stock by Talk Talk, and the unabashed earnestness of his old labelmates Death Cab For Cutie. Knopf appreciates those highly regarded comparisons but when pressed for the true inspirations that fed into his overall vision, he cites Martin Gore of Depeche Mode’s dark chordal elements, a production style halfway between Tears for Fears and the Homosexuals, and lyrical themes that channel a dyslexic Jorge Luis Borges if he starred in Flowers for Algernon.
Recorded with bandmates Paul Alcott (drums, and also, ironically, Knopf’s replacement in Menomena), Matt Sheehy (guitar), and Dave Lowensohn (bass) and featuring guest appearances by four other friends, the stunning album begins with “Bodies of Water,” an emotive and rousing anthem about how intimacy bundles together both nourishment and peril. “Spore,” a heartfelt highlight of Prophet bears a substantive core: “I like the idea of someone refusing to feel lonely, despite how utterly alone they might actually be,” Knopf explains. “It’s a form of rebellion.” But the 11 tracks are not all exercises in introspective fragility; “Brevony” is Knopf’s most unleashed moment with gnarling guitars ambushing the listener at the chorus on all sides.
Prophet, the album’s title, is an homage to Knopf’s religious upbringing, a titular reference to a worldview that reveres exalted seers who assert meaning despite the chaos. But as the newly empowered songwriter has discovered with Ramona Falls, it’s a better strategy to embrace the chaos. And then refashion it into a beautiful noise.
Ramona Falls' debut album is called "Intuit," and was released in 2009 on Barsuk Records (US) Souterrain Transmissions (Europe).
Official website : www.RamonaFalls.com
Musical Influences include : Micachu and the Shapes, Shocking Blue, The Homosexuals, Sly and the Family Stone, Talking Heads, PJ Harvey, The Magnetic Fields, Gorecki, AC/DC, Tears for Fears, Weird Al Yankovic and Erik Satie.
Like most of us, Brent Knopf watches a lot of YouTube videos, only he’s not watching kittens playing piano. Rather, his tastes err on the more experimental side of things—like people who attempt perpetual motion machines using magnets. “I love that they’re trying to harness an endless supply of energy,” says the Ramona Falls frontman, “and that they go against conventional wisdom in the hopes of true discovery.”
Which is exactly what Knopf did last year, when he decided to quit the acclaimed art rock trio Menomena and devote his time to one epic, personal vision. Prophet, the second Ramona Falls album, is sonically, lyrically and thematically brighter. It’s also more organic and personal than anything he ever contributed to Menomena, or as the singer/multi-instrumentalist explains, “it’s more of a rapid transit line between my sleeve and my heart.”
“With Ramona Falls I am exploring what I stand for which makes it more personal to me,” Knopf admits. “I’m less worried now about being made fun of, than I was before. I can now say things I believe in, and some people may think it’s stupid or cheesy...but that’s kind of fun. I would much rather speak from the heart than hide behind impenetrable obfuscation.”
That emotional honesty and creative fearlessness is certainly paying off. Prophet is an album that recalls the experimental beauty of Laughing Stock by Talk Talk, and the unabashed earnestness of his old labelmates Death Cab For Cutie. Knopf appreciates those highly regarded comparisons but when pressed for the true inspirations that fed into his overall vision, he cites Martin Gore of Depeche Mode’s dark chordal elements, a production style halfway between Tears for Fears and the Homosexuals, and lyrical themes that channel a dyslexic Jorge Luis Borges if he starred in Flowers for Algernon.
Recorded with bandmates Paul Alcott (drums, and also, ironically, Knopf’s replacement in Menomena), Matt Sheehy (guitar), and Dave Lowensohn (bass) and featuring guest appearances by four other friends, the stunning album begins with “Bodies of Water,” an emotive and rousing anthem about how intimacy bundles together both nourishment and peril. “Spore,” a heartfelt highlight of Prophet bears a substantive core: “I like the idea of someone refusing to feel lonely, despite how utterly alone they might actually be,” Knopf explains. “It’s a form of rebellion.” But the 11 tracks are not all exercises in introspective fragility; “Brevony” is Knopf’s most unleashed moment with gnarling guitars ambushing the listener at the chorus on all sides.
Prophet, the album’s title, is an homage to Knopf’s religious upbringing, a titular reference to a worldview that reveres exalted seers who assert meaning despite the chaos. But as the newly empowered songwriter has discovered with Ramona Falls, it’s a better strategy to embrace the chaos. And then refashion it into a beautiful noise.
Ramona Falls' debut album is called "Intuit," and was released in 2009 on Barsuk Records (US) Souterrain Transmissions (Europe).
Official website : www.RamonaFalls.com
Musical Influences include : Micachu and the Shapes, Shocking Blue, The Homosexuals, Sly and the Family Stone, Talking Heads, PJ Harvey, The Magnetic Fields, Gorecki, AC/DC, Tears for Fears, Weird Al Yankovic and Erik Satie.
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Ramona Falls Lyrics
'Always Right' Don't tell me you couldn't do it I'm always right when…
09 The Darkest Day On the darkest day I will stay On the darkest day of…
Always Right Don't tell me you couldn't do it I'm always right when…
Archimedes Plutonium What I'd give if you'd feel my love Take my hat…
Bellyfulla If I were a castle dismantled brick-by-brick with your bare…
Bodies of Water The softest lips The sharpest tongue Take a deep breath E…
Brevony so saddle up we got miles to go ride single file…
Clover If every tree, points to a star If every tree, points…
Darkest Day On the darkest day I will stay On the darkest day of…
Diamond Shovel Let's dig a hole with a diamond shovel We can take…
Going Once, Going Twice I'm desperate just to find A respite for my mind Soul, soul…
I Say Fever Before she met me she took herself to wait five…
If i Equals u play with puzzles watch you solve them jump in puddles th…
Melectric As it flashed before my eyes Like rain crashing from skies …
Russia Listen while you read! I visited Russia and I started foldin…
Salt Sack You pushed me out to sea today And hoped to watch…
Say Fever Before she met me she took herself to wait five…
Spore it couldn't be this galaxy is lifeless i keep on searching…
Sqworm As much pluck it out Antenae remain And when it's real qui…
The Darkest Day On the darkest day I will stay On the darkest day of…
The Space Between Lightning and Thunder The party is over I'm tired but sober I think my coat…