Beneath Medicine Tree

About the Artist
COPELAND

Jon Bucklew - drums Bryan Laurenson - guitars, piano James Likeness - bass, backing vocals Aaron Marsh - vocals, guitars, mellotron, organ, piano

"Strip away all the fluff. Does the song still speak the same way when performed with just a voice and a single piano or single guitar?" This is Copeland’s test of a well written song. Lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Aaron Marsh was bred in the diverse Florida music scene where he started the band with his close friend, bassist James Likeness. During their search to finish off the line-up, Aaron found a kindred spirit in Maryland native guitarist Bryan Laurenson, with a mutual appreciation of quality pop melodies to push his writing to new levels. With a concerted effort to weave memorable melodies with insightful lyrics, the band began crafting their intelligent brand of anthemic pop songs in 2000.

Atlanta producer, Matt Goldman engineered Copeland’s first release in late 2000. This split EP with glam pop band Pacifico, not only earned Copeland some music industry attention, but also their first national audience in the form of a half dozen small East Coast US tours. For that first year, the band excitedly played in any venue that would have them, for whoever wanted to listen. This deep appreciation for their supporters has stuck with them as they’ve begun to see bigger tours.

In the summer of 2002, Copeland signed a record deal with So-Cal independent label The Militia Group and started making plans to focus on the band full time. The band felt it was in need of a fresh start in a new scene. They relocated to Atlanta in the fall. This location seemed more conducive to full time touring and closer to producer Matt Goldman’s studio where they would start a 2 month recording session for their debut full length album.

The fruit of those two months was their acclaimed opus entitled "Beneath Medicine Tree." Tragically beautiful, and emotionally charged with themes of love, loss, and hope, the album delighted Copeland’s small existing following and earned the band a quickly growing audience. Copeland hit the road with a rigorous tour schedule, hopping from one tour to another with the likes of Switchfoot, The Juliana Theory, The Early November, Hopesfall, Mae, and countless others. They stayed on tour for an exhausting 15 months, playing over 400 shows in that time, but not just playing music every night. Every different city became a chance to meet a new group of kids at the show. Whether playing 4-square in front of the venue, eating dinner after the show, or hanging out at the merchandise table talking about music, Copeland was always excited to turn their fans into their friends.

In December of 2003, during a short break from the road, Copeland took a week to record a covers EP to be released before they begin work on their follow-up to "Beneath Medicine Tree." Aaron said about the EP, "We wanted to give our supporters something to listen to while we worked on another record. We knew it might take us a while and we didn’t want everyone to forget about us. These were all songs that we grew up listening to that we thought we could bring something new to." The EP, entitled "Know Nothing Stays the Same," features Copeland’s renditions of songs by Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon, Phil Collins, Berlin, and Billy Joel and is due out August 10, 2004.

Copeland is hard at work on a new batch of songs and will return to Matt Goldman’s studio in Atlanta to work on their anticipated sophomore full-length in September 2004. The newest addition to Copeland, drummer, and long-time friend Jon Bucklew, whose natural groove and creative sense will surely bring a new dimension to Copeland’s sound as they craft their new songs. However, the initial rule will still apply. "Strip away all the fluff.

Beneath Medicine Tree,Copeland,Militia,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Beneath Medicine Tree

Average customer rating:

The best driving/chill out music
the height
Amazing
Suprised at how boring it was.....
Brilliant, Smart, Beautiful

Beneath Medicine Tree
Copeland
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

In Motion
Know Nothing Stays the Same
Destination: Beautiful
The Everglow
Composure

ASIN: B00008H2N0
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Brightest
Testing The Strong Ones
Priceless
Take Care
When Paula Sparks
California
She Changes Your Mind
There Cannot Be A Close Second
Coffee
Walking Downtown
When Finally Set Free

Customer Reviews:

The best driving/chill out music.......2007-04-24

The more I listen to this album, the more I love it.
Copeland's vocals and instrumentation are powerful and unique. There is a song on this cd to suit my every mood.
"When Finally Set Free" is my personal favorite, but "Priceless" and "Brightest" are amazing as well. I consider it to be a must have indie album.

the height.......2007-02-21

This is probably in my point of view the best copeland album so far. An amazing collection of songs filled with love, sorrow, regret and sadness, thought they are so perfectly created they can make you feel both happy and sad. but with Aaron Marsh's voice nothing gets bad. Most of the songs from this album was written by Aaron when someone he loved was sick, so most of the songs are for that person and you can really hear his honesty in them.

a true masterpiece

Amazing.......2006-12-22

Just like THis Providence's first album after changing their name from "The Sunday Best", this album has every song that is a masterpiece of songwriting. Songs like "Walking Downtown" is an upbeat song with faster rhythms. "Coffee" is jsut as smooth as a 40 oz. cup of coffee poured with 55 gallons of vanilla cream, refined with melted caramel and cocoa. That's how smooth it is. "Priceless" actually labels this CD as just what it is: PRICELESS. Another good song is. "There Cannot be a Close Second" Faster but slow rhythms make the perfect mix for a song. Just get thtis CD, for whatever price. You won't be disappointed.

Suprised at how boring it was............2006-06-05

If you want to hear a talented band that actually has lyrics that are poignant without being cliched, go listen to Muse. Far more diverse, and the most talent I've ever seen packed into three guys. Go listen to Muse and then tell me the guy in this band is a good singer.... yeah, right....

Brilliant, Smart, Beautiful.......2006-04-19

The amazingness and uniquness/brilliance of this album can be compared to something like Sunny Day Real Estate. It's just that good, and it's a work of pure genius, the lyrics themselves, while not abstract, are very touching and incredible.

Average customer rating:

Beneath Medicine Tree
Copeland
Manufacturer: Sony Bmg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000T4TP8U
Release Date: 2007-08-06

Tracks:

Brightest
Testing The Strong Ones
Priceless (For Eleanor)
Take Care
When Paula Sparks
California
She Changes Your Mind
There Cannot Be A Close Second
Coffee
Walking Downtown
When Finally Set Free
Take Care (Acoustic) (Bonus Track)
Coffee (Acoustic) (Bonus Track)
Testing The Strong Ones (Alternate Version) (Bonus Track)

Album Details

The Breakthrough Debut Album 'beneath Medicine Tree', from Florida's Copeland. Virtuosic Frontman Aaron Marsh, at Times Pays Homage to Tenor Legend Jeff Buckley, with Belting Confidence, Or Gleam with Elegance and Passion in the Vein of Chris Martin (Coldplay). The Songwriting is Splendid, Blending Pop Sensible Melodies, Lush Harmonies and Moody Lyrics with Ambient Guitar Leads and Clever Arrangements Encasing Everything that is Beautiful. This Australian Exclusive Version Includes Three Bonus Tracks