It’s not just great song writing, warm guitars, a nut-tight rhythm section, and the occasional blues harp riffs that make The Stone Foxes’ so good; the Bay Area band consisting of brothers Shannon and Spence Koehler, and Aaron Mort have captured something else on their recordings and live shows that makes them huge, and very, very cool.
Listeners sense it right away. There’s a genuineness here that’s rare and refreshing, and it’s something that can’t be achieved simply by grabbing a couple of vintage axes and plugging into a stack of tube amps. Because while The Stone Foxes may be influenced by the greats of the late 60s and early 70s like The Band, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin, they never sound like they’re trying to be anything but exactly who they are. But then they don’t need to: their style of blues-rock stands on its own.
Still though, there’s something about their sophomore album “Bears & Bulls” that sets it well apart from other records. And to understand what it is, what makes this record so unique, so good; you need to know how The Stone Foxes approach their music.
“We’ll never be a traditional studio band,” says Aaron.
“The songs are worked out on stage and are meant to be played live,” adds Shannon.
That makes perfect sense to anyone that’s been to one of their shows: it’s clear the Foxes care far more about performing their music for living, breathing human beings than an empty room filled with microphones.
So rather than holing up in a studio, writing songs in a void, then cutting an album and touring it, The Stone Foxes work their new material out on stage over a period of months, playing it for their fans. And that’s part of what makes their shows, and this new record, so special. Each song in their arsenal has evolved organically over time, taking on a unique personality while retaining the core DNA that makes it a Stone Foxes original. Every song, every lick, every fill on Bears & Bulls has had its own unique path to maturity, taking the energy and feedback from the live experience and making it a critical part of the music.
When it was time to cut the record, the band knew that in order to capture the real soul of the music it would be critical to maintain that energy, those unique aspects of each song. So Bears & Bulls was recorded with virtually no overdubs, at a studio they built themselves.
“We found mattresses, put them against our garage walls and used planks of wood as dividers. Then we played the songs live and let the sound bleed in the mics,” says Shannon.
As a result, Bears & Bulls is an audio snapshot of exactly who and where The Stone Foxes were musically when they recorded it. They were all living together, listening to the same records, and singer songwriter Avi Vinocur was a member of the band at that time. It’s a reflection of their live show and a tribute to the interplay between musicians and fans. It’s a moment in time captured digitally, then mixed by Alex Newport and mastered by John Cuniberti in beautiful, warm, old-school analog. Just like it should be.
Spence Koehler, who along with brother Shannon grew up in the Sierra Foothills before moving to the Bay Area a few years ago, points out another thing about the new record that makes it unique. “You know,” he says, “all the instrumentation on the recording is the same as it is live.”
Right, the instrumentation thing: The Stone Foxes don’t have a set lineup on instruments. Since each song is unique, who plays what changes depending on the song’s personality. Shannon may come out from behind the drums to sing and play harmonica. Aaron and Spence regularly swap rhythm, lead, and bass duties, and every member sings lead on at least a few songs. But it’s no gimmick: like everything The Stone Foxes do, the instrument and vocal changes are a function of the natural evolution of their music and what works best on each song.
“It doesn’t matter who writes the lyrics,” says Shannon, “if someone else has a better voice for the song, they sing it.”
And the way they play it live is the way it’s laid to tape.
So you’ve got this band of players that can actually play, writers that can actually write, none of whom seem to have much ego: it’s about the music and the band over all – not the individual. You turn them loose to create songs that evolve and mature over time, then you drop them in a studio to track a record on their own terms. As it turns out, what you end up getting is something way deeper and more heartfelt than most bands ever deliver.
You also get a hint of what they’ll become. Because this collection of songs, from the raucous fun of “Stomp” to the slow grind of “Through the Fire” from the bad ass lick that opens “Patience” to the down and dirty blues of “Mr. Hangman” could only have been created by a band that’s fearless about following their music where it leads, and has the skills to share what they learn on the trip. And it’s a trip they’re still taking: The Stone Foxes and their music continue to evolve, and continue to deliver live shows that blow the doors off of venues along the way.
When asked if there’s one thing that they want their fans to know, there’s no hesitation: they say they have a huge amount of fun playing live, loved capturing their work on the record, and that they wouldn’t be doing any of this if they didn’t.
Really though, that’s completely unnecessary to mention: one listen to the record, one visit to a gig, and all that is clear from note one.
Bio written by Bradford Schmidt
Easy
The Stone Foxes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are we headed for Sutter's farm?
Let me know when you're headed out.
Don't you know, we can follow my heart.
If you're traveling through Williamsburg,
Won't you call out your grandpa's name.
He might be buried in the fields,
If only it was easy, if only it was easy.
Pink dotted yellow polka dot dress,
Brings back the times that were best.
Remember when you thought you were young?
A good laugh and the bottle was done.
You're painting the walls a powder blue green,
You start to cry when on the wall you seen,
An old painting of a new memory,
A time when loss felt like a dream.
If only it was easy, if only it was easy.
If only it was easy, if only it was easy.
The Stone Foxes's song "Easy" is a contemplative piece about the difficulties of life, but also about the joys and memories that make it worth living. The song begins with a series of questions, asking about destinations and plans, but ultimately suggesting that the heart is the most reliable guide. The next verse takes a historical turn, referencing Williamsburg and the possibility of encountering a buried ancestor, evoking the sense of loss and resilience that comes with the passage of time.
The chorus meditates on the idea of ease, suggesting that life is anything but, but ultimately acknowledging the value of the struggle. The final verse brings the listener back to the present, describing a scene of domesticity and the bittersweet realization that even happy memories can be tinged with sadness.
Overall, "Easy" is a thoughtful and introspective song that touches on themes of family, time, and memory, while recognizing the complex emotions that can arise from even the happiest moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you going to the brick house?
Are you willing to face your problems head-on?
Are we headed for Sutter's farm?
Are we making progress towards our goals?
Let me know when you're headed out.
Stay in communication and don't leave anyone behind.
Don't you know, we can follow my heart.
Trust your instincts and take the path that feels right.
If you're traveling through Williamsburg,
If you're going through a difficult time,
Won't you call out your grandpa's name.
Think of those who came before you for strength and guidance.
He might be buried in the fields,
Their struggles and sacrifices shaped your life.
Fighting off another disease.
Dealing with ongoing challenges and hardships.
Pink dotted yellow polka dot dress,
Nostalgia for a simpler time and carefree memories.
Brings back the times that were best.
Reminiscing about moments of happiness and joy.
Remember when you thought you were young?
Feeling the weight of the responsibilities and burdens of adulthood.
A good laugh and the bottle was done.
Finding temporary relief from stress and worries through humor and alcohol.
You're painting the walls a powder blue green,
Trying to create a peaceful and calming environment.
You start to cry when on the wall you seen,
Unexpectedly confronting feelings of sadness and grief.
An old painting of a new memory,
Recalling a painful experience from the past.
A time when loss felt like a dream.
Coming to terms with the reality of death and the impermanence of life.
If only it was easy, if only it was easy.
Wishing that life wasn't so hard and that struggles could be easily overcome.
If only it was easy, if only it was easy.
Repeating the desire for life to be easier.
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kylie Cutting
Fricken' amazin'.
Todd Porter
Awsome!!!