** |Sumner McKane’s score for “In The Blood” will be available for pre-sale ASAP.|Meanwhile, if you would like to hear new music, you can visit: www.inthebloodmovie.com|PRESS “McKane Paints a uniquely American landscape, a travelogue for a cross-country trip from pristine New England winters to the wide-open expanses of the plains… He’s an orchestrator of guitar, creating lush filigree and sometimes searing leads.”|-John Diliberto, National Public Radio’s ECHOES - 2005 (review of North) “If Friday Night Lights was Explosions In The Sky actually playing as if they were from Texas, as some reviews said, then this is the guy who chews grass on his porch while sitting in a rocking chair, cradling a shotgun, and showing them how to do it right.”|-The Silent Ballet- 2006 (review of North) “Guitar players and studio engineers especially will be blown away by theis record.”|-The Silent Ballet- 2007 (review of Two If By Sea) “When it’s done right, like it is on the latest from maine based guitarist Sumner McKane, [new age] is a sublime and restful experience.”|-Twentieth Century Guitar- 2007 (review of Two If By Sea) BIOGRAPHY Sumner McKane is a collector of images. A guitarist and composer with a photographer’s mind, McKane’s mental snapshots of trails traveled and times past inevitably find their way in to musical interpretations of these scenes. The vivid nature of the resulting soundscapes reveal musical and emotional themes that inexplicably straddle the line between fresh and familiar, all with fantastic facility. The live show is both an unexpected emotional release and the sonic reward for being a part of the experience. Performances can vary from solo acoustic guitar to the Group, consisting of McKane on guitar and an ample collection of pedals, long-time bassist and collaborator Joshua Robbins on electric bass, and new addition Todd the Rocket Richard on drums and percussion. The compositions and live performances by Sumner McKane and the Sumner McKane Group vary from sparse ambience to rich sonic washes, pretty, thoughtful songs to aggressive suggestions. McKane grew up in Damariscotta, a small town in Maine’s midcoast region. This area that McKane called home is located at the head of a river, and abuts some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the state; perfect settings for the cinematic sounds McKane would come to create. Earlier in life, however, his interest was in punk and metal, and his occasional mohawk stated that fact proudly. It wasn’t until his departure from town for higher education that he was able to capture these images he was surrounded by and translate them in to sound. A trek across the country to Montana brought new experiences and, obviously, new landscape. Sumner stayed westward for years, honing his twangy country chops as well as playing atmospheric solo acoustic guitar. These seemingly different routes have met in the middle and are the main road running through the middle of McKane’s truly awe-inspiring and dynamic music. Aside from Sumner’s career writing and recording his original music, he has spent the last ten years playing lead guitar in various country acts from Maine to Tennessee. Sumner is currently touring with the award winning Nashville-based Don Campbell, who maintains over one hundred shows a year. His career in country music may seem unlikely considering he grew up loving the playing of Johnny Marr, Robert Smith, David Gilmour, Johnny Ramone, Andy Summers, Jimi Hendrix, Alex Lifeson, Robert Fripp, and the 1970s progressive rock players. McKane’s tastes have always been diverse and varied, but country was never considered an influence. Since entering the country music circuit, McKane states he has truly enjoyed developing his abilities as a country player, as well as touring the country and playing some of the largest venues the country offers. McKane plans on releasing his new CD recording, entitled “What A Great Place To Be” before the end of 2007. The winter and spring of 2008 will see the Sumner McKane Group performing at venues across the Northeast. |
|
 | ||